Day 79: Eating the Alphabet

My son loves playing the game where you take a letter of the alphabet and think of as many things as you can that begin with that letter.  Sometimes we name only animals (his favorite "Q" animal that he's learned about is the quokka), but other times it can be just about anything.  He likes to play while we're in the car, eating lunch, doing puzzles, or just playing.  Out of nowhere he'll suddenly say, "Let's start with R.  Rabbit, rhinocerous, race, rocket..." I love hearing what he comes up with as play, alternating back and forth.  Another great book I found at our last library book sale was Lois Ehlert's Eating the Alphabet.  It's a simple alphabet book, with the names and colorful watercolor collage illustrations of fruits and vegetables for each letter of the alphabet (shown with both lower and uppercase letters.)  My son loves reading it, and it has given him some great new words to add to his vocabulary and use during our words game:  kumquat, currant, endive, huckleberry, persimmon, quince, rutabega, ugli fruit.  I also have learned some new things from reading it, as well, thanks to the fabulous glossary at the back that gives some fun and interesting facts about each food.  Who knew "xigua" is the chinese name for watermelon?  If your child loves learning fun, new words, this book is bound to be a hit.