The 2008 Willow Awards
Shining Willow Nominee
AlphaBETTER
This clever alphabet book full of humour and hidden letters will amuse readers of all ages. Twenty-six boys and girls find themselves in alphabet predicaments, and each then finds the solution on the next page.
About the Author
Dan Bar-el was born in Edmonton, grew up in Ontario, got lost briefly in Manitoba and now resides in Vancouver. He has many years experience working with school age children and currently facilitates a unique storytelling program that he brings to preschools and daycares. Each year, Dan gives numerous presentations in schools and libraries across North America both as an author and as a storyteller. He takes great delight in opportunities to travel, see new places and visit with young readers. Dan teaches writing workshops to children too. In the past, Dan trained and worked professionally as an actor, has written for theatre, as well as written and performed comedy across Canada.
About the Illustrator
A graduate of the illustration program at Sheridan College in Ontario, Graham thought he would stick around the big smoke and in addition to his work as a designer at Canadian publisher McClelland & Stewart, he would also cultivate his Flock of Seagulls hair style and work on his dance floor moves. But alas soon follicles started to recede and shoulder pads deflated, so Graham moved back to his hometown of Ottawa, Ontario to contemplate his next career move.
It was in Ottawa that Graham began his freelance illustration and graphic design career. A career that has spawned illustrations for such publishers as Orca Book Publishers, Scholastic Canada, and Meadowside Books of the United Kingdom, as well as numerous Canadian government agencies and private design firms.
He lives in Merrickville, Ontario with a circus star family: his juggling wife, a helldriver daughter, a canine cannonball, and a fire breathing cat.
Book Reviews
Suggested Activities
- Write and illustrate your own alphabet book using your friends or classmates names. Find interesting names if you are missing some letters. This might be a class big book or a family project.
- Create the letters of the alphabet with your body. You may need to get your friends or family to help.
- Try to find the song A Your Adorable either online or at your public library. Listen to it a few times until you can sing along.
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