P Is for Pterodactyl

Age range 4 to 8

From wacky words to peculiar pronunciations, get kids excited about language with this unconventional alphabet book from Raj Haldar (aka Lushlife).

Turning the traditional idea of an alphabet book on its head,P is for Pterodactylis perfect for anyone who has ever been stumped by silent letters or confused by absurd homophones. This whimsical, unique book takes silent letter entries like 'K is for Knight' a step further with 'The noble knight's knife...
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Age range 4 to 8

From wacky words to peculiar pronunciations, get kids excited about language with this unconventional alphabet book from Raj Haldar (aka Lushlife).

Turning the traditional idea of an alphabet book on its head,P is for Pterodactylis perfect for anyone who has ever been stumped by silent letters or confused by absurd homophones. This whimsical, unique book takes silent letter entries like 'K is for Knight' a step further with 'The noble knight's knife nicked the knave's knee.' Lively illustrations provide context clues, and alliterative words help readers navigate text like 'a bright white gnat is gnawing on my gnocchi' with ease. Everyone from early learners to grown-up grammarians will love this wacky book where 'A is for Aisle' but 'Y is definitely not for Why.'

'You can curse the English language for its insane spelling rules (or lack thereof), or you can delight in it, as this raucous trip through the odd corners of our alphabet does.' -- New York Times, Standout New Picture Books Selection

'This atypical alphabet book humorously addresses 'mischievous words' that ignore the rules of phonetics and spelling... Each letter's sample is illustrated with cartoony, full-colour drawings followed by a comically absurd sentence highlighting other examples. 'G is for Gnocchi. / The gnome yells, 'Waiter! There's a bright white gnat nibbling on my gnocchi!' ...the concept will help new readers and new English language learners conquer some of the more peculiar aspects of our language.' -- Kirkus Reviews

'Explore the many quirks and anomalies of English spelling and pronunciation in an A-to-Z tribute to some of the most unconventional words in the lexicon. Learn why Y is not for 'why' and U is not for 'you,' but V is for 'five' and C is for 'czar.' With this book full of puns, alliteration, playful artwork, and plenty of entertaining observations, children of all ages will enjoy celebrating the exceptions to the rules.' -- Foreword Reviews, STARRED Review

'Are you a logophile (someone who loves words)? If you are, this delightful picture book will be your new favourite alphabet book...In this book, 'A is for Aisle' and 'H is for Heir.' What? Below each letter and illustration is a sentence describing each word. 'M is for Mnemonic. // But now Mr. M. can't remember why.' Isn't this a delight for readers and writers of all ages? It's my new favourite.' -- Imagination Soup

'A win for word nerd kids and pun-tastic dads everywhere.' -- The Dad

'The book spotlights words that have silent letters, or weird grammar rules, and invites you to ponder dangerous word traps and oddities. And you might learn something new along the way...While other lessons teach really important principles that, honestly, could change your life and maybe even help you find love.' -- Funny or Die

'P Is for Pterodactyl is a word lover's delight and an almost mandatory read-aloud... Amid all the humour, wordplay, and silliness, there's solid, brain-teasing information about words and how they're spelled. It a delight from start to finish, especially for word lovers and their offspring.' -- Common Sense Media

Teachers' notes available here