The letter "O" wants a new spot in the alphabet. A story told by "O" helps little ones identify and remember the order of letters in the alphabet. The letter "O" has had it with always being in the middle! So she imagines moving, instead, to the head of the line. Enough with the alphabet—they'll call it the olphabet! While being first has its obvious perks, "O" begins to realize that much would also be lost, including friends. After going from "A" to "Z," "O" will find the right place to be. PreS-Gr 2—The letter O contemplates his place in the alphabet in this whimsical tale of mixed up letters. "Why can't I be first in the alphabet? Instead of A. I'm a simple circle. Easy to write." O, complete with twig arms and legs, plus eyes and freckles, kicks off this story by wondering why they always have to be in the middle of the alphabet. Later, O considers what it would be like to live next to best friends such as K ("We like being together") and G ("We make things Go!"). Then there is the proposal to make the alphabet a circle instead of a line, so that no one goes first and no one is last. Finally, the revolt having played itself out, O decides that they are happy where they are. The wordplay is clever and funny, and young readers are sure to be tickled by O's cheekiness and disruption of the status quo. Cowdery's cheerful illustrations feature expressive faces and distinctive colors and patterns for each letter, creating wonderful scenes. VERDICT It's not a new idea, but where alphabet books and conceptual tales are in high demand, this is one to consider.—Kristy Pasquariello, Westwood P.L., MA "The wordplay is clever and funny, and young readers are sure to be tickled by O’s cheekiness and disruption of the status quo. Cowdery’s cheerful illustrations feature expressive faces and distinctive colors and patterns for each letter, creating wonderful scenes."― School Library Journal Jess M. Brallier is a book publisher and author of nearly forty titles for both adults and children. With stints at Little Brown, Abrams Books, and his own children's imprint with Penguin, Brallier has worked with authors from Anne Morrow Lindbergh to Jeff Kinney, and authored books about subjects from hot dogs to Albert Einstein. Considered a well-rounded sort, Brallier is especially attracted to the letter O. From a young age Nichola Cowdery kept herself busy constantly drawing and creating. Much to her parents dismay there wasn't a surface in the house that Nichola didn't like to draw on. She went on to study Graphic Design at Southampton University and works as a full-time illustrator. She currently lives in London with her family and two cats.