Local Author Publishes Alphabet Book

A is for Arrowhead by Toni Lagree isn't like any other alphabet book you have in your collection.

In Lagree's book, the letters look like the words they represent. When her children were learning to read, she realized how difficult it was for a young person to grasp the abstract concept of a letter.

"D is for dog," she says, "but a dog doesn't look anything like the letter D." Her solution? In A is for Arrowhead, D is for dustpan.

Lagree believes strongly in the power of visual communication.

"We pick up instantly on visual cues. Even in conversation, visual cues give you meaning to the words," she says. To quote the book's back cover, "By starting with an alphabet that is visual in nature ... the child can recall and assimilate the abstract nature of language symbols faster and easier."

The idea was sparked years ago, but this September when Lagree's kids started school she found herself with time to concentrate on the project. The process went fairly quickly. She decided to self-publish and by Oct. 20 was in the final proofing stage. The book was published on Nov. 12 with a first printing of 500 copies.

Visually, Lagree's illustrations are similar to The Hungry Caterpillar author and illustrator Eric Carle's. She says, "That style of artwork is very appealing to young readers because it's bold, clean and fun." For the illustrations in A is for Arrowhead, Lagree began with watercolored paper that she then cut and pasted together to "build" the letters before digitizing them.

The original watercolor letters will be on display on Saturday, Nov. 28, when Lagree will be reading and signing copies of A is for Arrowhead at Sean Heavey's gallery. Children of all ages are invited to enjoy the reading before the Parade of Lights. Books are $11 and are available at The Loaded Toad. They will also be at the AAUW Fall Bazaar on Saturday, Nov. 21.