An Alphabet for Lonely Children

In the dark and playful tradition of illustrators such as Edward Gorey and Tim Burton, An Alphabet for Lonely Children takes the reader to a place where actions and curious thoughts are less restrained. Soaked with precious images and descriptions, this book offers a visual treat to adults while teaching young children their letters.

Illustrated with haunting pencil drawings, the book presents twenty-six lonely children, each clothed as an animal whose name begins with the same letter as the child's name. Adjacent to each drawing is a description of a typical action by the child and its chosen animal. For example, Bertie is dressed up as a bluebird and "the trampoline in Bertie's yard has tightly rusted springs that fling her to the heavens." Bertie jumps on the trampoline to simulate the act of flying, an action usually associated with birds.

Full of wonder and with abandonment, the children relish the tiny delicacies of life in a world that is spinning incomprehensibly around them. Confused by outside forces, the children identify with their animal friends, lapsing into their natural primitive tendencies to eat berries and smile, without worrying about their stained mouths and hands.

Flipping through the pages, readers will laugh and reminisce about forgotten games. To be enjoyed by adults as well as children, An Alphabet for Lonely Children introduces bird and beast, while exploring the imagination of children in context with the world around them. An Alphabet for Lonely Children reminds us that the divide between human and animal is less distinct than we often think and invites us to take pleasure in life's daily queries.