Perfect Picture Book Friday - A Is For Musk Ox

I would just like to start today by saying that it's only 15 days until GROUNDHOG DAY (in case anyone besides me and Phyllis is counting :))

illustration copyright Jeffrey Ebbeler 2005

Also, Phyllis's FB page is feeling unloved (because I never do anything with it :)) so if anyone wants to go chat with her she would love that.  You're going to have to work hard to beat out Cathy as her number one fan though :)  Phyllis says comments on what makes groundhogs lovable would be a good start...  She also loves groundhog jokes, so if you know any, please share :)

Okay!  Are you ready for today's Perfect Picture Book selection?

Given my well-documented love for silly alphabet books and the title of today's pick, I'm sure you can already tell it's tons of fun!  Just wait until you hear about it - I DARE you not to go straight to the library! :)

A Is For Musk Ox
Written By: Erin Cabatingan
Illustrated By: Matthew Myers
Roaring Book Press, October 2012, Fiction

Suitable For: ages listed variously as Preschool - Grade 4, and ages 5 and up.  I would go with 5 and up - I think some of the humor might fly over the heads of the littlest ones.

Themes/Topics: alphabet, humor, animals (musk oxen), consequences

Opening: (Well, you've really got to start with the cover... which he has eaten through! :))  "HEY! Hey you, Musk Ox!  Did you do this?  Did you eat that apple?"
"Who me?  I can't remember."

Brief Synopsis:  After Joseph the musk ox eats the apple that "a" is supposed to be for, he proceeds to make the entire alphabet be all about him much to Zebra's annoyance!  But Zebra has the last laugh :)

Links To Resources:  Musk Oxen Pictures And Facts, Eco Field Guide - Musk Ox, Musk Ox Print Out, Coloring Page 1, Coloring Page 2

Why I Like This Book:  SO FUNNY!  Every letter is for musk ox except the odd one here and there...  P is for Wolf, T is for headache, (you'll just have to read it to follow that logic!) and my favorite, M is for apple... because he feels bad about eating it at the beginning :)  Musk ox is just a bit pushy in his insistence, and in the end gets his comeuppance, which is just a bit fair :)  This book may not be terribly helpful in teaching the alphabet, but it's sure to tickle the funny bone.  The art is particularly hilarious.

For the complete list of books with resources, please visit Perfect Picture Books.

Now then, please don't keel over with shock, but that is the end of today's post.  I KNOW!  So brief!  But the truth is, I'm under the gun to get all the details squared away for my new writing course after the announcement leaked out a little ahead of schedule last week - nose to the grindstone and all that - and you know how me and technology get along... we DON'T... so enough said!  Wish me luck with my email template!

Have a great weekend, everyone!  And PPBF bloggers, please put your post-specific links in the list below - I can't wait to see what you picked this week!