School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 1-Children love books that invite them to find hidden elements, and in this alphabet book that also combines rhymes and a mystery, they will enjoy finding, counting, and identifying various letters. The story follows Bus Driver B who picks up letters as he drives through Lettertown. On each page, there are a variety of anthropomorphic letters (for example, an H getting a haircut, hang gliding, hiking, riding in a helicopter, selling hotdogs), and one of these letters will enter the bus. To reinforce which letter is being picked up, the top of the bus displays the letter that will be joining, and the letter appears very large on the page. A mystery involves Robber R stealing items throughout the story. Detective D pursues R and finally catches him, making him return all the stolen items. Children will find the brightly colored illustrations appealing and will love identifying all the pilfered items. Many children will enjoy the challenge of figuring out what each letter represents. Luckily, there's a key on the end pages to help them along. VERDICT A story that will invite many rereads but could be overly busy and complicated for younger children. An additional purchase.-Sally James, South Hillsborough Elementary School, CA © Copyright 2018. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publisher's Weekly Review
The letter B, which wears a captain's hat, welcomes readers: "Come with me, I'll show you around this lovely place called Letter Town." Letter Town-which calls to mind Richard Scarry's Busytown in more ways than one-depicts expressive, almost Muppet-like letter characters that dress in clothes and carry out roles in the bustling city scenes: an H operates a hot dog stand, a P wears a police uniform, and an L resembles Abraham Lincoln. Farrell's rhyming couplets can be hit-or-miss ("Here comes an R with a black mask./ Who could he be? I'm afraid to ask./ All aboard, R! What do I see?/ Is R a member of the royalty?"), but bright berry and citrus tones and abundant sight gags are the story's main attractions. End-pages list the characters that readers will find throughout, adding to the seek-and-find excitement. Ages 3-5. (June) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
