Abstract Alphabet

A Guide to Using This Book

Abstract Alphabet is a unique and intriguing alphabet book. This book introduces an abstract set of symbols to replace the conventional alphabet letters, and provides a key for readers to solve the word puzzles on each spread. An introduction to this book could include a discussion comparing Abstract Alphabet with conventional alphabet books. This book lends itself to a discussion of and an investigation into many different alphabets, past and present, and symbols used for nonverbal communication. It can further be used as a springboard into varied communication forms such as art and music. Children will enjoy and appreciate the creativity of Abstract Alphabet and illustration as they decipher and read each spread.

Codes
Codes have been used in many ways and readers will want to find out more about them. This can be done through investigating historic and modern code systems. This book uses a code symbol for each alphabet letter and may act as a springboard for readers to create their own secret code!

Focus Questions
Can you find out about other codes used where traditional alphabet letters are replaced with other signs or symbols? Can you find out more about signal codes that use lights, motions or sound as the International Morse Code does?

Activities

• Create a secret message for your friends, family members or classmates to solve. Use the code in the book or make up your own code. Be sure to include the key! This is a great opportunity to be creative!
• Make your own coded alphabet book using the key provided or use your own code. You may want to offer a clue to help others solve the word puzzles.

Alternative Alphabet for the Blind and Sight-Impaired
Most people rely on the sense of sight to read and interpret the letters or symbols on a page. People who are blind are unable to use this sense but they are able to read using another sense!

Focus Questions
Solving the word puzzles in Abstract Alphabet is a fun way to read! People who are blind have another way of reading. How do sight impaired or blind people read? Which sense do they use?

Activities

• Find out about Louis Braille and his unique alphabet. Find a copy of his alphabet (perhaps through the library) and take time to feel it. What does it feel like?
• Using a pushpin and some construction paper, write an alphabet book, a greeting card message or your name in Braille.

Abstract Art
In this book the author has used abstract shapes to replace the letters usually used in a conventional alphabet. Abstract means that the artist uses the essential aspects of a subject. Some artists use abstract shapes in their work to create something that is different from the work of more conventional artists.

Focus Question
Why do you think that the artist chose these particular shapes and colors for this book?

Activities

• Find out about abstract artists such as Pablo Picasso. Look at his paintings and see if you can find images that look familiar to you.
• Using abstract shapes, create your own painting, collage or sculpture.

The History of Writing
The alphabet used in Western books today is the 26-letter Roman alphabet but the alphabet has been growing and changing over thousands of years.

Focus Questions
How did the creation of the alphabet start? Can you think of some early examples of writing and communication?

Activities
Early cave men drew pictures on their cave walls. Ancient Egyptians wrote using pictures to represent words.

• Write a message to a friend using pictures instead of words.
• Find a book on calligraphy and practice a new way of writing your name.
• Use the font tool on your computer to practice writing and printing your name in a different style or script.

Focus Questions
Early books were written by hand. How were the first books made? Who printed the first book?

Activities

• Using rubber alphabet stamps create your own sign or party invitation.
• Use a magnifying glass to look at the print in a newspaper and find out how newspapers are printed today.

Cultural Diversity
Many cultures share the alphabet system known as the Roman alphabet but many others have their own unique alphabet system.

Focus Questions
Do all cultures use the same alphabet system? How are they the same and how do they differ?

Activities