Gr 3 Up-This unique abecedarian tackles an unusual topic for an alphabet book--the NATO Phonetic Alphabet, also known as the International Radiotelephony Spelling Alphabet "used by various emergency services." From "Alpha" to "Zulu," each spread features a full page watercolor/gouache/pencil illustration on the right and the word printed in large blocky black letters on the white expanse of the left, with the first letter highlighted in light blue. As the blurb at the back explains, the book aims not only to teach the readers this "internationally recognized code" but that "each page, each letter, each word, and each image invite investigation." The latter sentiment is somewhat of an understatement, as most of the image/word pairs require a level of sophistication beyond most children. Readers might grasp why "Charlie" is a bowler hat, or that a tumbler with ice and brown liquid, though not exactly child-friendly, stands for "Whiskey," but a picture of alpha particles for "Alpha," a pair boxing gloves for "Mike," or chocolate cake for "Kilo" may stump even some grown-up readers. VERDICT Though beautifully designed and lovingly illustrated in Arsenault's signature retro style, this book seems destined for a niche audience.-Yelena Alekseyeva-Popova, formerly at Chappaqua Library, NY © Copyright 2015. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Themed alphabet books are a dime a dozen, but this distinguishes itself by illustrating the NATO phonetic alphabet, officially named the International Radiotelephony Spelling Alphabet. Each letter is a one-word code universally used by those who cannot afford to be misunderstood, such as firefighters, police, and the military: Alpha, Bravo, Charlie. Each letter-code is given a double-page spread. The word appears on the verso in large, painted block capitals, and the image that illustrates it is on the recto. Many of the references and depictions are adult, even antique, in connotation. "Mike" is represented by a pair of boxing gloves (presumably for Mike Tyson), and the painting for "Oscar" is a woman in a fancy ball gown (Oscar de la Renta?). A black derby hat represents "Charlie" (Chaplin, one assumes); "Victor" appears opposite a gramophone, evidently standing for Victrola. The picture for "Sierra," an aerial view of a mountain range, is visually confusing. The images are frequently witty, and their execution is painterly and accomplished, but if the intent is to help kids learn this phonetic alphabet, the choice of items for the illustrations seems too sophisticated. For kids who may have heard the letters used in movies or on TV, learning this code alphabet could turn into a game; otherwise this is more an art book for adults than an alphabet book for children. (Picture book. 6 up) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

French illustrator Arsenault's (Jane, the Fox, and Me) alphabet book presents the words of the NATO phonetic alphabet, the "Alpha Bravo Charlie" series used for absolute clarity when spelling out words for radio transmission. Each word appears on the left in imposing block letters, accompanied by a painting on the facing page worked in milky shades of gouache, watercolor, and other media. The objects are often metonymic, giving the part for the whole: "Charlie" shows Chaplin's iconic black bowler; "Mike" shows a pair of red boxing gloves. Other entries are more obvious: a glamorous couple dancing for "Foxtrot," a mountain for "Sierra," a heavy cocktail glass for "Whiskey." Sometimes there's a witty leap of logic, as with the slice of chocolate cake for "Kilo" or the red plastic Monopoly game piece for "Hotel." And some of the images are truly haunting, like the faint image of a ghostly girl reflected in an empty glass bottle that accompanies "Juliet." Fine artwork and design sense give this creation quiet allure. Ages 5-8. Agent: Kirsten Hall, Catbird Productions. (Aug) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

This beautifully composed but conceptually bemusing abecedarian matches each letter's NATO call sign (alpha, bravo, etc.) with a facing-page visual interpretation of the same. Many images (a bowler hat for "Charlie," a Victrola for "Victor") will miss a child audience entirely, and Arsenault's appended note provides only the briefest context for the premise. An attractive coffee table book with little to offer children. (c) Copyright 2016. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.