Alphabetter (Maura Pierlot, illus Jorge Garcia Redondo, Affirm)

Alphabetter: A Better You and Me, from A to Z is a new educational picture book from Affirm Press, which published the popular Life Lessons for Little Ones series. Written by philosophy and ethics scholar Maura Pierlot, Alphabetter takes readers on a journey through the alphabet, empowering them with words and behaviours around developing a growth mindset—from ‘engaged’ and ‘inclusive’ to ‘loyal’ and ‘selfless’. Pierlot provides synonyms for each word, as well as a description using a realistic scenario to contextualise the word within everyday life. Being honest means admitting when you didn’t finish your homework, while questioning means wondering how many stars there are in the sky. Each word also comes with a thought-provoking question, such as ‘What can you do to feel vibrant?’ and ‘What does being loyal mean to you?’, to assist readers in further reflection. Illustrator Jorge Garcia Redondo has created bright and playful illustrations that will appeal to young people. Alphabetter aligns with the ethical capabilities in the current Australian curriculum and explicitly teaches a growth mindset. It is the perfect resource for guiding kids on how to create a better world by focusing on their own social and emotional development.

Books+Publishing reviewer: Karys McEwen is a librarian, bookseller, author, and the vice president of CBCA VIC Branch. Books+Publishing is Australia’s number-one source of pre-publication book reviews.

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