Sailing the ABCs: An Alphabet Adventure Story for Children - Hardcover

Ashur, Ophra

Hardcover

ISBN 13: 9798988462613

Publisher: Gingie Publishing, 2025

Synopsis

Before children learn the sounds letters make, they first need to recognize and connect with the letters themselves.

Many children can proudly sing the ABC song long before they truly recognize each individual letter. Sailing the ABCs bridges that important early learning step by bringing letters to life as memorable characters-new alpha-besties children can meet, follow, and befriend on a whimsical nautical adventure.

Join ABC, DEF, and their alphabet friends as they sail the alphabet seas aboard a wondrous origami boat!

ABC

sail out to sea

in a boat so grand

to a distant land.

Through lyrical rhyming verse and captivating watercolor illustrations, each letter becomes a distinct personality within small, easy-to-remember clusters. Young readers are invited to recognize their new letter friends while following them through a playful journey filled with discovery, imagination, and wonder.

Explore a tropical island where the alpha-besties discover majestic waterfalls, animal shapes hidden in fluffy clouds, crashing waves inside seashells, and sandy shores. Along the way, children can search for delightful visual surprises woven throughout the story while enjoying a rhythmic read-aloud experience.

Created by Ophra Ashur, a child therapist, educator, and lifelong facilitator of "Aha!" moments, Sailing the ABCs gently supports the earliest stage of literacy by helping children build joyful connections with letters before making the important connection between letters and their sounds.

The adventure continues beyond the story with interactive activities, including a letter color key, a Can U C visual discovery challenge, and instructions for folding an origami sailboat.

More than an alphabet book, Sailing the ABCs invites children to meet the letters they will one day read-one alpha-bestie, one discovery, and one little "Aha!" moment at a time.

Get ready to set sail!

About this title

About the Authors

Ophra Ashur lives to hear the words, "Aha, I get it!" A Licensed Clinical Social Worker, child therapist, and educator, she loves to accompany learners of all ages through journeys of discovery and understanding. While reading to her book-hungry granddaughter, Ophra noticed that most alphabet books pair letters with objects that represent their phonetic sounds (e.g., A = Apple). Few books introduce the letters first as independent characters. Also, when children learn their ABCs through the traditional song, the letters blend unrecognizably together (For example, "elemenopee.") Sailing the ABCs aims to enhance the initial stage of learning the alphabet by grouping its letters into novel, easy-to-remember trios and duos. It is Ophra's dream to spark hundreds of little "Aha's" as young pre-readers recognize and befriend their new, uniquely distinct alpha-besties. Fun facts: After growing up as a committed non-athlete, Ophra went on to complete two marathons and has become an avid road cyclist. Her special talent is the ability to wiggle her ears without touching them!

Mateo Cardo, also known as Mateoscopio, is a visual artist who specializes in fantasy art and children's illustrations. His artworks are renowned for their whimsical and expressive style, often utilizing watercolor painting and ink drawing techniques, blending traditional and digital mediums seamlessly. Mateo's creative inspiration stems from nature's intricate beauty, infusing his artwork with an organic allure drawn from elements like flora, fauna, light, and shadow. He is influenced by a wide spectrum, including Japanese art, graffiti, nostalgic cartoons, and diverse musical genres, and his artistic expression is intricately shaped by surrealism, mysticism, literature, and life experiences. Mateo has contributed illustrations to a wide array of projects, partnering with numerous authors and a specialized book publisher. He is passionate about conveying meaningful and beautiful ideas, strongly believing in art's profound capacity to forge deep connections, providing insights and a sense of something larger.

Dr. Robin Katz is an editor of rhyming and non-rhyming children's and young adult books. She holds a Clinical Doctorate in Occupational Therapy, having worked for more than twenty-five years as a pediatric occupational therapist. Robin also served as a full-time faculty member in Health Sciences at several universities.Over the years, Robin has been pleased to lend her expertise to a wide range of editing projects. Her author clients often refer to Robin's unique editing approach as her 'magic touch.' So, she chose Word Wiz as the name of her editing business!In addition to standard editing, Robin collaborates with authors as a subject matter expert for children's and YA books about disability, the human brain, death and loss, emotional challenges, and related topics.

Edition details

• Publisher: Gingie Publishing
• Publication date: 2025
• Language: English
• ISBN 13: 9798988462613
• Binding: Hardcover
• Illustrator: Cardo Mateo
• Number of pages: 34
• Editor: Katz Robin