If Roald Dahl and Lewis Carroll were to put their heads together to write an alphabet book in verse, Alpha Beta Chowder is what they might have come up with. This, however, is the wily work of the devious Jeanne Steig. With her rollicking rhymes, alluring alliteration, and weird words--some of them of decidedly uncertain origin--Steig leads the reader through a controlled delirium, complete with a hint of menace and a little lighthearted bloodshed. Meet Gruesome Gilbert, who smells like old galoshes and whose teeth are green, gooey, and gorgeously mildewy. And here's Xavier Max, who views the Great Sphinx; Tactless Toby, who teases Tina with tadpoles in her tapioca; and Penelope, who plummets from her piano stool, pretending to be dead so she won't have to practice her scales.
William Steig's hilarious illustrations provide a perfect accompaniment to the verses--in fact, his pictures sometimes communicate even more than the words. Children will delight in seeing Vera's feet under her bed while her parents are still wondering if she vaporized, or if a vampire's venom downed her. Parents and children be warned: if you're looking for tame and innocuous, turn right around and go home. Alpha Beta Chowder is going to tangle your tongue and wobble your world. (Ages 9 to 12)
From School Library Journal
Grade 2 Up-- This zany, appealing alphabet soup provides plenty of poetry for sophisticated palates to ponder and appreciate. Beginning with an exhortation imploring Alexander the cat to eat an axolotl and ending with the sad tale of Zelda's impending demise (she's trapped in a blizzard), Jeanne Steig's witty and wacky verses challenge and amuse. Distinctive, offbeat illustrations by William Steig enhance the humor and provide glimpses of western melodrama, domestic disasters, and (possibly) a murder mystery. Although the vocabulary is undoubtedly difficult (an axolotl is a larval salamander, by the way), Steig's extensive use of alliteration along with the rollicking rhythm and rhyme (and sheer ridiculousness) of her poetry will easily engage the interest of young listeners. Middle school, young adult, and even older readers and listeners will likewise enjoy the Steigs' savory stew. While the immediate audience for this title may be relatively small, the book's appeal is timeless for it is a clever, classic collection of purely pleasurable poetry, sure to spice up any library's shelves. --Lisa Dennis, The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.
About the Author
Jeanne Steig is the author of several books for children including, most notably, Consider the Lemming, The Old Testament Made Easy, Alpha Beta Chowder, A Handful of Beans, and A Gift from Zeus; all of which were illustrated by her late husband and award-winning author/illustrator, William Steig. She lives in Boston, Massachusetts.
William Steig (1907–2003) was a cartoonist, illustrator, and author of award-winning books for children. Most notably Sylvester and the Magic Pebble, for which he received the Caldecott Medal; The Amazing Bone, a Caldecott Honor book; Amos & Boris, a National Book Award Finalist; and Abel’s Island and Doctor De Soto, both Newbery Honor books. Steig is also the creator of Shrek! which inspired the Dreamworks films. Steig also received the Christopher Award, the Irma Simonton Black Award, the William Allen White Children’s Book Award, the America Book Award, and Society of Illustrators Lifetime Achievement Award. He was also the US nominee for both of the biennial, international Hans Christian Andersen Awards as an illustrator in 1982, and then as an author in 1988. He is survived by his wife, Jeanne Steig, and four children.
