Savvy Aunties, beware! You will not find teddy bears and choo-choo trains in the latest ABC board book to hit the market.

Alternative ABCs, by Eric Ruffing and Dave Parmley and published by Ammo Books, may not have mass-market appeal, but rockin’ hipster aunties can shake things up by sneaking this graffiti-inspired work onto the bookshelves in between copies of Goodnight Moon and Guess How Much I Love You.

B is for Boombox, M is for Mohawk, S is for Skull - you get the picture. And the pictures, with their vibrant colors and edgy images, will get the attention of your baby nieces and nephews. Each page offers bold contrasts that will stimulate young eyes and text that will raise questions for toddlers who have not yet learned that “kicks” is another word for shoes.

If motorcycle shops and tattoo parlors had baby aisles, no doubt this book would be snatched up by every customer who walked through the door. That is not the case, but if you’re an auntie with a little ink and you want to share your street smarts with someone small, this book is a keeper.

Karen Gallagher is the owner of The Lollipop Book Club.

Photo: AmmoBooks.com
Published: June 7, 2010