The Shout It Out Alphabet Film from A to Z

PreS-Gr 4—Every letter has a story in this clever, artistic film by Lynn Smith. Animated collage elements combine to illustrate brief, humorous scenarios. To begin the action, viewers are introduced to a piecrust soon orbited by several airplanes that drop loads of apples into it. Next, an alligator saunters onto the scene and flips the pie on his snout a few times before he swallows it. An accordion appears, also flipped and consumed. Then the alligator dances with his new accordion-like body expanding and contracting to the accompanying piano music. The original piano soundtrack playfully enhances the action throughout the video, from dramatic to restful. The point of the non-narrated film is for viewers to shout out the words that begin with the letter focus of each story. The number of possible responses varies greatly, from one for the letter X to 17 for the letter B. Some of the answers are obvious, and some are more subtle. For example, in the letter C scenario, there are crayons, clowns, a cat, and cars, but younger students might not easily identify words like crash, chuckle, or cry. All viewers will appreciate the humor in these pieces. Since the production would be a great springboard for students' own alphabet stories or artwork, it can be used with children beyond the first grade. A bonus film by Neely Gondiodsky features the alphabet song with a new tune illustrated with shots of the letters from a variety of neon signs. Overall, this excellent, sophisticated, but accessible program is highly recommended.—Constance Dickerson, Cleveland Heights-University Heights Public Library, OH