A is for Asia

A is for Asia
Written by Cynthia Chin Lee
Illustrated by Yumi Heo
Orchard Books 1997


I love alphabet books, when done well. This book does. "F is for fish, a symbol of luck and long life." Discussing the world's largest continent is not easy and yet, I believe this book is well done and provides illustration, description and native language/characters from most countries in the continent without forgetting the Middle East.

Activities: There is so much in this book but yet just a beginning. I would definitely use this book as a jumping off point or integrated with a Social Studies discussion about the world or if someone is traveling to a part of Asia. With older children, each can choose a letter and have to find more information about that particular region. With younger children, it can pointing out places on a map to see how many cultures live in one place.