It’s unusual to find an alphabet book that tells a good story, but together the narrative and artful illustrations in Alison Murray’s picture book do just that. Murray’s stylized prints, in a subdued but striking palette of red, orange, and blue with splashes of yellow, black, and white on cream, show a small girl making an apple pie, and her small black-and-white dog, who longs for a bit, a bite, or every last crumb. Each alphabet letter is presented like a quilt block on a page in which the narrative details the dog’s continuing quest for the coveted pie with a significant word or phrase that starts with the letter featured. When the pie is done, the dog must “[L] leave without it” but later is “[Q] quietly determined” to return. “[Y] yum yum ... [Z] zzzzzzzzz ... go to sleep and dream of it.” Terrific word choice in the brief text, and delightful images of the dog in action and his interactions with the often admonishing girl, add to the fun of this handsomely designed, appealing volume. Honor Book, 2012 Charlotte Zolotow Award (Ages 2–5)

When an apple pie arrives piping hot on the kitchen table, a little pup does everything he can think of to get his paws on it. He Ogles it. He Pines for it. But will his ABC antics land him a slice?

APPLE PIE ABC is a delicious twist on traditional verse brought to life by Alison Murray’s simple words and whimsical illustrations. Sure to delight readers of all ages, it’s a book to savor again and again.