PPBF – ZigZag

Shhh! Don’t tell my grandson or my linguistics-loving daughter that there’s a Perfect Picture Book that will be under the Christmas tree with their names on it.

Title: ZIGZAG

Written & Illustrated By: Julie Paschkis

Publisher/Date: Enchanted Lion Books/2023

Suitable for Ages: 4-8, and older

Themes/Topics: language; vowels; words; alligator; synesthesia; importance of everyone

Opening:

ZigZag liked to taste words.

He liked to hold them in his long mouth and roll them around.

Swivel was slippery and slightly sour.

Brief Synopsis: When ZigZag, a hungry alligator, accidently eats all of the vowels, he tries to get them all back, but in the end, he must rely on readers to help him.

Links to Resources:

• Try these activities to learn about vowels and vowel sounds;
• Discover these alligator activities;
• Think of an animal, food, and another thing that begin with each vowel. Try writing a sentence or poem for each of the vowels, like this: “An alligator ate an apple at the airport.”

Why I Like this Book:

ZigZag is a fun and funny read-aloud celebration of the alphabet, vowels, and language gorgeously illustrated by the talented author-illustrator Paschkis.

An alligator that can taste words? Yes please! And one who swallows all of the vowels and then tries to speak? This is laugh-out-loud absurdity at its best.

Kids will love hearing the readers trying to pronounce the vowel-less words. And I think they’ll especially love helping ZigZag find U.

As they are laughing, kids will be learning about vowels and the importance that each letter of the alphabet, just like each member of a family, classroom, or world, plays. We simply cannot live without U!

Paschkis’ intricate, folk art illustrations are a treat for the eye. I especially love how she has woven text throughout them and provides so many objects and words for kids to find on each page.

ZigZag is a wonderful picture book for reading and rereading at home and in classrooms.

A Note about Craft:

As a reader and writer, I often wonder how an author has dreamt up a particular story. In this case, I can’t help thinking that the recent habit of excluding vowels in text messages and social media posts inspired this book. Whether I’m correct or not, the result is pure brilliance!

I also love how Pashkis breaks the fourth wall and invites YOU, the readers, to help ZigZag find U.

This Perfect Picture Book entry is being added to Susanna Hill’s Perfect Picture Book list. Check out the other great picture books featured there!