I found that a great way to learn letters was to play games with magnetic letters. I deconstructed various toys to create an “alphabet game” using squishy magnetic letters (but any magnetic letters in the shape of the letters will do) and a magnetic fishing pole. My son (about 12 months old at the time) would fish letters out of a bucket and stick them on a magnetic board. If he got them wrong, I’d find the correct letter and put it up next to the letter. We’d talk about how is it the same and how is it different.
Another variation would be to sort all the letters on the board by color and identify them (my letters were randomly in four colors). Or try to make an alphabet train by putting the letters in order. We’d play this game 3 or 4 times a week for about 5 to 10 minutes; always letting my son initiate the game, and ending it as soon as his interest waned. It was a fun way to learn letters. After my son learned uppercase letters, we added lowercase letters.
These are our favorite alphabet books. Ok, to be more correct, I didn’t mind reading these books incessantly to my child.
Learning ABCs with 17 Wonderful ABC Alphabet Books for Kids
A is for Australian Animals by Frane Lessac
This is not just an alphabet book to learn ABCs, it’s also a treasury on Australian animals that can rival any nonfiction book on that topic! You can read the book on several levels. Focus on the creature featured in each alphabet letter and enjoy the images while you read with a preschooler. Older kids will enjoy the facts about the animal in the smaller print. In this way, this is perfect for a read-aloud at night when there are multiple kids of different ages.
The artwork by Lessac is beautiful and engaging. The layout makes all the information on the page easy to read and it’s also pleasing to the eye. This is a real treasure for anyone who wants to learn about Australia (or the alphabet!). [picture book, ages 3 and up to be read like an alphabet book, and ages 7 and up to be read as a nonfiction book]
Maisy’s ABC by Lucy Cousins
This first children’s book we ever purchased and is still a favorite! Toddlers will love lifting the flaps and pulling the tabs.
Robert Crowther’s Most Amazing Hide and Seek ABC Alphabet Book by Robert Crowthers
The book completely lives up to its title! My kids loved pulling the tabs and lifting the flaps! This was the book responsible for teaching all my kids their letters.
A Was Once an Apple Pie by Etienne Delessert
Finally, an alphabet book with both upper and lower case letters plus beautiful illustrations, but beware, it will make you hungry for apple pie!
Eating the Alphabet by Lois Ehlert
I love Lois Ehlert’s gorgeous illustrations and hopefully, this will encourage your children to eat their fruits and veggies!
The Absolutely Awful Alphabet by Mordicai Gerstein
Chock full of SAT-level adjectives to help build your child’s vocabulary! For kids who love words.
B is for Baller: The Ultimate Basketball Alphabet by James Littlejohn, illustrated by Matthew Shipley
You don’t have to be learning the alphabet to enjoy this romp through the greatest basketball players of all time. I really like how illustrator Matthew Shipley made each page like a portrait with a stunning colorful background. This makes the book a visual treat and really makes each individual player stand out. My 14-year-old son will love this book. He’s a big basketball fan! [picture book, ages 3 and up]
A is for? A Photographers’ Alphabet of Animals by Henry Horenstein
You and your child will have fun guessing which animal from Horenstein’s wonderful photographs.
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault, illustrated by Lois Ehlert
A fun rhyming book that is easy to memorize and chant all day long!
I Stink by Kate and Jim McMullen
My neighbor with two small boys highly recommends this book.
The Dinosaur Alphabet Book by Jerry Pallotta, illustrated by Ralph Masiello
If your child is very interested in dinosaurs, this is a great book because each letter is about a dinosaur with a paragraph of interesting information to captivate both child and adult.
The Handmade Alphabet by Laura Rankin
Learn the alphabet in sign language.
A Big and little Alphabet by Liz Rosenberg, illustrated by Vera Rosenberry
This is great because it shows lowercase AND uppercase letters.
Alligators All Around by Maurice Sendak
We like to sing the story. Sendak’s illustrations are so charming. This is a classic that still feels fresh.
Max’s ABC by Rosemary Wells
Rosemary Wells creates a story out of the letters of the alphabet. My son is especially fond of Max and Ruby.
B is for Baby by Atinuke, illustrated by Angela Brooksbank
This is technically not an alphabet book as it focuses solely on the letter “b” but I include it because I love how it explores Nigerian culture in a wonderfully engaging way. The illustrations perfectly capture the warmth of a village raising children in this beautiful land! [picture book, ages baby and up]
The Alphabutt Book: An ABCs of Baby Butts & Bodies
by Huggies
Each letter of the alphabet is a study in alliteration and is illustrated by a different person. This is a fundraising book in support of the National Diaper Bank Network and it’s an alphabet book celebrating bottoms. I’m not actually sure who the author is but the text is playful and fun. [picture book, ages baby and up]
The Dangerous Alphabet Book by DK Ryland
An avocado dukes it out with an alligator to introduce the alphabet with “safe” versus “dangerous” words. It’s a silly and funny way to learn vocabulary that will delight young readers! [picture book, ages 3 and up]
The Inclusive ABCs by Rebecca Tarrant, illustrated by Olly Koss
With a single word for each letter, this alphabet book introduces disability and neurodiversity to the youngest of readers. [picture book, ages 3 and up]
p.s. Related posts:
Kindergarten Readiness FREE Printable Book: My Book About Me
Getting Kids Ready for Kindergarten
Learn Alphabet in Spanish: Fun for Preschoolers!
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My books:
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- California Eureka Non-Fiction Gold Award
- Junior Library Guild Gold Selection
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Barbed Wire Between Us by Mia Wenjen, illustrated by Violeta Encarnación
- ⭐ Starred review from Kirkus
- Kirkus: The Most Anticipated Children’s Books of Spring 2026
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The Traveling Taco:
- California Eureka Non-Fiction Silver Award
- Reading Rockets’ Summer Reading Guide 2025
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We Sing from the Heart: How the Slants® Took Their Fight for Free Speech to the Supreme Court
- ALSC Notable Children’s Book
- 2025 Carter G. Woodson Book Award Middle Level Honoree
- Orbis Pictus Recommended Book for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children
- 2024 Julia Ward Howe Prize for Children’s Literature Winner
- California Eureka Non-Fiction Award Honor Book
- Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People Winner (from National Council for the Social Studies and Children’s Book Council)
- Bank Street Best Children’s Books of the Year 2025
- Recommended Reading for the Social Justice Literature Award 2025 (International Literacy Association)
- Junior Library Guild Gold Selection
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Food for the Future: Sustainable Farms Around the World
- ⭐ Starred review from School Library Journal!
- Junior Library Guild Gold selection
- Massachusetts Book Award Long List
- dPICTUS 100 Outstanding Picture Books of 2023
- Chicago Library’s Best of the Best
- 2023 INDIES Book of the Year Awards Finalist
- Green Earth Book Award Long List
- Nautilus Silver Winner, Nonfiction Children’s Picture Book
- Sunshine State Young Readers Award Orange Blossom List for Nonfiction
- Imagination Soup’s 35 Best Nonfiction Books of 2023 for Kids
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Bank Street College’s The Best Children’s Books of the Year
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Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
