Animal Albums from A to Z by Cece Bell

Animal Albums from A to Z by Cece Bell. Walker Books, 2024. 9781536226249

Rating:  1-5 (5 is an excellent or a Starred review) 4

Format: Hardcover picture book

What did you like about the book?  This alphabet book consists of album cover art, song lyrics, and “delightful bits of treasured memorabilia” featuring a wide array of creatures and musical genres.  From the Tex-Mex flavor of Arnie Dillow’s Accordion Americana to the sleepy stylings of The Zydeco Zebras’ Zigzag Zinnia, readers are in for a silly songfest.  Each page spread includes, on the left, the full text of one song that is featured on an album, the cover of which is depicted on the right.  The album covers include a complete list of songs and a stylistically appropriate illustration. Each musical act, album name, and song title corresponds to the letter in the alphabet; even the names of the record companies fit the alliterative bill. 

Close (and multiple) readings are required for this hilarious romp.  The varied art styles of the album covers will draw readers in, but taking the time to focus in on the lyrics is the real reward. What could be funnier than a song about a clogged toilet? Obviously, a trippy song about a clogged toilet that “oozes out rainbows and unicorns hot and cold,” from the song “Philip, Phone the Plumber (It’s Time to Pump the Pot)” by the Psychedelic Piano Pals!  

Cece Bell is well known for her humorous writing and sense of absurdity, and it is on full display in each of these lyrics.  She describes the art as “a hodgepodge of hand-painted papers and collage, hand-painted lettering and cut-paper lettering … even some embroidery,” and it is truly a joy to pore over every page (and even the end papers which feature patches, bubble gum cards, and bumper stickers for the musical acts).  Back matter includes “About the Artists” biographies of all of the artists and groups.  The fun rolls on via a QR code on the copyright page linking to a YouTube Channel called “CeCe TeeVee” which includes music videos for the songs, introduced by VJs like fellow kidlit superstars like Victoria Jamieson, LeUyen Pham, and Bell’s husband Tom Angleberger.

Anything you did not like about the book?  Most of the humor, both visual and lyrical, is really aimed at an adult audience, but pop-culture inclined nostalgic grownups will love sharing it with the youngsters in their lives.

To whom would you recommend this book? Mildly reminiscent of some of Sandra Boynton’s musical collections such as Philadelphia Chickens, it’s really in a class by itself.  It will appeal to upper elementary readers with a sophisticated sense of humor and a solid bank of musical knowledge.  Elementary music teachers might love it as an inspiration for a creative project in the upper grades too.

Who should buy this book? Public and elementary school libraries

Where would you shelve it?  Picture books

Should we (librarians) put this on the top of our “to read” piles?  no

Reviewer’s Name, Library (or school), City:  Leigh Russell King, Lincoln Street School, Northborough, Massachusetts.

Date of review: April 25, 2024