The Z Was Zapped: A Play in Twenty-Six Acts

by Chris Van Allsburg

Book Overview

A dramatic black- and- white presentation of the alphabet in which the three-time Caldecott medalist depicts a mysterious transformation of each letter. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0395446120
• ISBN13: 9780395446126
• Release Date: October 1987
• Publisher: Clarion Books
• Length: 56 Pages
• Weight: 1.36 lbs.
• Dimensions: 11.9" x 0.5" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

A is for Amazing

Amazing Black & White Illustrations (Cleverly Drawn) Encourage Folks to Guess what Happens that Ingeniously Jeopardizes all Kinds of Letters. Many Naturally Observant People Quickly Realize Some Talent Underneath Van Allsburg's Warped & eXceptionally Youthful Zeal.

The Alphabet on Stage

Any reader who has encountered the illustrations of Chris Van Allsburg will know they are in for a treat with this ABC book. Each page features one letter of the alphabet rendered by Chris in black and white drawings that are marvellously compelling. On the opposite page is a one line description of what is happening to the letter. For example, the "G" is depicted with leaves and thorns poking out of it, with the phrase on the corresponding page stating "The G was starting to grow."This book elegantly conveys the entire alphabet with pictures and few words. Despite it's appearance of simplicity, adults may well find this picture book as engaging as children do. I consider this book to be perfect for children learning the alphabet. It's a fundamental part of many of the nursery school classes I have encountered. The large pictures and simple sentences allow large groups of children to see the letters from a distance. After one or two readings, children will be calling out the words before the parent or teacher does. I have yet to encounter a class that doesn't delightfully chime in with "And the Z was finally Zapped!" at the end...

The alphabet as only Chris Van Allsburg could do it!

I am a huge fan of Chris Van Allsburg and own several of his books. My son (almost three) is still too young for most of them. This one, however, he enjoys. It's an alphabet book as only Chris Van Allsburg could do it--theatrical, eerie, and lots of fun. Dramatic things happen to each of the letters. The W is warped, the Z is zapped and so forth. Many of the concepts, such as warping and disappearing, are rather abstract, so this is probably not the first alphabet book you want to use with your children. But once you are past the "A is for apple" stage, this book is marvelous. Terrific for vocabulary-building. I've seen it showcased at several teacher conventions.

Teaching Ideas for Chris Van Allsburg Book

This is more than just an alphabet book. Older children love this book. For a fun book innovation using alliteration read The Z was Zapped. Brainstorm verbs that begin with each letter of the alphabet. Assign each student a letter. Require each letter to have a sentence such as for letter A: The A was accepted into an association. Title your class's book something like: The Z was Zipped-up. This is a fun way to meet state content standard for alliteration. I have used this idea with 5th and 3rd graders for three years and tied it into many of this author's works. Awesome illustrations!

Chris Van Allsburg writes good books!

This is an alphabet book with beautiful pencil drawings. This book has phrases about every letter in the English alphabet. All the letters have something happen to them. I like the alphabet letters because their drawn nicely. From Z1s being zapped to A1s in avalanches, you should read this book!