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Review: Aa is for Alpacas 
Aa is for Alpacas and, in this informative and enjoyable alphabet book, B, C, D, E and all the other letters are linked to alpacas too.
Experienced speech pathologist Sue Carolane and her herd of nine alpacas teach the alphabet in a way that supports developing reading skills. My favourite letter is ‘N’, as Nosy Petra comes right up to the camera to see what is going on, although it is hard to resist Geisha’s big wide yawn for ‘Y’ or Manuel sucking on the gumboot for ‘G’.
The book is divided into two sections. The first is a detailed account of the mechanics of learning how to read and explanation of why emphasising the sound of each letter as it is learned rather than the name of the letter is so important. Sue offers extensive instructions on how to best use Aa is for Alpacas to support children with their developing reading skills.
Of course, the book also functions simply as an enjoyable and interesting introduction to the alphabet. Most people have little opportunity to interact with or learn about alpacas, and the endearing appearance of the animals creates an appealing collection of photographs to illustrate each letter. Sue has also included some basic information about alpacas and her affection for her own herd comes through clearly.
Aa is for Alpacas is a great resource for parents who want to understand how they can lay the foundations for good literacy skills for their child. It is also a wonderful introduction to a fascinating animal that is sure to appeal to young children.
Title: Aa is for Alpacas
Author: Sue Carolane
Publisher: JoJo Publishing, $16.99 RRP
Publication Date: February 2014
Format: Softcover
ISBN: 9780987463593
For ages: 4-7
Type: Picture Book
2. CHILDREN’S BOOK COUNCIL REVIEW.
Aa is for Alpacas
By Admin on September 20, 2014 · Early Childhood Books, Highly Recommended
CAROLANE, Sue Aa is for Alpacas Jojo Pub, 2014 unpaged $16.99 pbk ISBN 9780987463593 SCIS 1653892
Sue Carolane has had over 30 years as a speech pathologist working in pre-school, primary and secondary education. She has written this book in response to her observations of the high number of children experiencing difficulty in learning to read, write and spell. She is a powerful advocate for the essential pre-reading experience of reading with young children and making them familiar with books and how they work and developing early language skills. She stresses the importance of the relationship between the written letter and its sound and it is essential that children know both name and sound of letters.
Expert directions are given for the adult reader, including tips on how to select excellent alphabet books. In the second part of the book, Carolane uses her own attractive alpaca family to help teach the names and sounds of the alphabet. The pages are enlivened by their appealing photographs, and extra information about alpacas is seamlessly included within the ABC format, adding interest beyond the usual picture/word experience.
An excellent resource for any parent/carer involved with beginning readers, both for the teaching information and the ABC content especially those involved in home schooling or distance education.
reviewed by Joy Steward
3. A REVIEW FROM A LECTURER AT CHARLES STURT UNIVERSITY (Note her qualifications).
Aa is for Alpacas by Sue Carolane
Reviewed by Catherine Easton (PhD, M Sp Path)
This is a visually appealing alphabet book that situates children’s learning within the context of a family of alpacas. While learning about the lives of the alpaca family, children explore the common letter/sound correspondences that form the basis for literacy development. The author has chosen items that clearly illustrate each of the letter/sound correspondences, and continues beyond the scope of standard alphabet books by including common letter combinations such as ‘ch’ and ‘th’. By using the single topic of ‘alpacas’ as the basis of the book, children’s memory of the items is supported. The photography that supports the text captures the alpacas in ways that draw you into the action of their lives and in doing so offers the opportunity for further conversation between the child and their carer. These conversations, and consequently the development of the child’s oral language, are further supported by the additional information provided about the alpacas in preface to the book.
The impact of the book is enhanced by the information provided for parents and carers in the opening pages. This information offers parents the opportunity to build their understanding of the process of learning to read and how adults can support children in this. Rather than stopping at reinforcing the benefits of reading with children, the author provides an explanation of what is beneficial in this shared activity.
Snuggling up on the couch with your child and this book is an enjoyable way to reinforce the foundations for literacy as you get to know the alpacas April, Geisha and their children.
4. A TEACHER.
This excellent alphabet book provides, first and foremost, the correct word/sound correlations eg. ‘a’ for ‘alpacas (NOT ‘ape’); ‘g’ for ‘gumboot’ (NOT ‘giraffe’) which, in itself, is a rarity in English alphabet books these days. (Sue Carolane explains the useful and necessary distinction between the sound of a letter and its name.) Two other attractions of this book are the useful professional advice to parents and teachers plus the 9 delightful alpacas we meet in its pages – a sure winner with the kids.
I would recommend this alphabet book above any other in my two ‘careers’ as prep teacher and mother/grandmother.
Jan W., Beechworth
T.P.T.C. (Syd)
- Ed (La Trobe)
- Mus A.
5. A TEACHER.
“Aa is for Alpacas” is a refreshing new entry into the world of “ABC”.
Each sound and corresponding word is put into an ‘everyday’ meaningful sentence, promoting easy learning.
The photographs are clear, bright and to the point, as we learn the likes and dislikes of the cute alpacas.
The Information Pages at the beginning of the book are a great guide for we adults and are a ‘must read’ before settling down with our little ones to explore this delightful alphabet book.
A great asset to home, playgroup, pre-school and school.
Anne T., Howlong.
(Infant Teacher and Gran)
6. A READER.
7. A RECOMMENDATION.
From the book review section in The Australian newspaper, December 15-16, 2018.
Pretty good to get a recommendation nearly 5 years after publication!
8. A SPEECH PATHOLOGIST.
Here is a copy of a lovely email sent to me last week (February 2020) by Majella, a speech pathologist in South Australia:
Hi Sue,
I would like to thank you for your wonderful book, Aa is for Alpacas. It was recommended to me at Elise Baker’s SPA training in 2018 – and I have been excitedly recommending it to SPs, teachers, friends, librarians and parents ever since! It also teamed up perfectly with National Simultaneous Storytime last year (Alpacas with Maracas).
Thank you for spreading the word about literacy (accurately!) – and thanks to your fantastic alpacas!
Kind regards,
Majella.
I’ve eliminated identifying details. There was also a little alpaca cartoon, but it didn’t copy. It turns out that Majella did quite a bit of sleuthing work to find my email address. It was impressive that she went to so much trouble.