Roald Dahl’s ABC – Alphabet Board Book

Roald Dahl ABC Board Book is a colourful early-learning title that introduces young children to the letters of the alphabet through the imaginative world of Roald Dahl. Featuring Quentin Blake’s energetic illustrations, playful words and familiar characters, it transforms learning the ABC into an entertaining shared-reading experience.

Children can work through the alphabet from A to Z while looking at amusing pictures and listening to memorable examples. The sturdy board pages are easy for little hands to hold and turn, making the book suitable for repeated alphabet practice at home.

Roald Dahl ABC Board Book introduces all 26 letters using playful vocabulary inspired by Roald Dahl’s stories.

The book begins with examples such as:

• A is for Anteater
• B is for Books
• C is for Crocodile
• D is for Delicious

Parents and caregivers can read each letter aloud, point to the printed shape and encourage the child to repeat the associated word.

This can help children practise:

• Recognising capital letters
• Saying letter names
• Connecting letters with words
• Listening to beginning sounds
• Learning new vocabulary
• Examining colourful pictures
• Remembering alphabetical order
• Participating during shared reading

Young children do not need to learn every letter immediately. Short and enjoyable reading sessions can help them become familiar with the alphabet gradually.

The main learning purpose of the Roald Dahl ABC Board Book is to help children explore all the letters from A to Z.

Adults can begin by introducing only a few letters during each session. After the child becomes comfortable with those letters, they can continue with the next group.

Helpful questions include:

• Which letter can you see?
• Can you say its name?
• Which picture goes with this letter?
• What sound does the word begin with?
• Can you find the same letter again?
• Which letter comes next?
• What letter does your name begin with?
• Can you think of another word?

These questions turn alphabet reading into an active learning activity.

Quentin Blake’s instantly recognisable illustrations bring humour and energy to the alphabet pages.

The pictures provide visual clues that help children connect each letter with its featured word or character. Young readers can look at facial expressions, colours, shapes and funny details while listening to the text.

Adults can extend the reading activity by asking children to identify:

• A favourite character
• A particular colour
• A large or small object
• A funny expression
• An animal
• Something beginning with a chosen letter
• Two similar objects
• An unusual detail

This encourages children to explore the entire illustration instead of focusing only on the printed letter.

Children often begin alphabet learning by recognising the visual shape of individual letters.

The Roald Dahl ABC Board Book provides repeated opportunities to see letters alongside memorable words and pictures. This combination may make the letter easier to remember.

Adults can point to each printed letter before reading the related word. The child can trace the letter shape in the air using a finger or search for the same letter elsewhere on the page.

Additional letter-recognition activities include:

1. Ask the child to locate a specific letter.
2. Cover the picture and identify the letter.
3. Compare two different letter shapes.
4. Find the first letter of the child’s name.
5. Match alphabet cards with letters in the book.
6. Look for familiar letters on the cover.

Keep these activities relaxed and appropriate for the child’s current ability.

Each alphabet page introduces a word connected with its featured letter.

Some words may be familiar, while others may be unusual or humorous. Adults can explain unfamiliar words using the illustrations, gestures or simple examples.

Children can then practise using the word in a short sentence.

For example:

• The crocodile has sharp teeth.
• I like reading books.
• The anteater is an animal.
• That food looks delicious.

This helps children understand that letters are used to create meaningful words.

Shared alphabet reading encourages children to listen to letter names, repeat new vocabulary and answer simple questions.

Adults should pronounce each word clearly and allow the child enough time to respond. Children may initially point to the correct picture before they feel confident saying the word aloud.

Useful sentence starters include:

• This letter is…
• The word is…
• I can see…
• My name begins with…
• Another word is…
• My favourite picture is…

These prompts support early speaking confidence and help children communicate their observations.

The Roald Dahl ABC Board Book can introduce the idea that words begin with different sounds.

Adults can emphasise the first sound gently while reading a word. For example, they may say “B… books” or “C… crocodile.”

Children can then think of other words beginning with the same sound.

Suitable examples might include:

• B for ball
• C for cat
• D for dog
• F for fish
• M for moon
• S for sun

English letter names and sounds are not always identical, so explanations should remain simple for beginning learners.

The book draws on the imaginative world associated with Roald Dahl’s children’s stories.

Familiar characters and playful ideas can make alphabet learning more entertaining for families who already enjoy Roald Dahl books. Quentin Blake’s distinctive artwork also helps connect this early-learning title with the author’s wider story collection.

Adults can ask children which character or picture they like most and encourage them to explain their choice.

Roald Dahl ABC Board Book is produced with sturdy board pages suitable for repeated handling by young readers.

Board pages are generally easier for small hands to hold and turn than thin paper pages. The compact square format is convenient for family reading, children’s bookshelves and supervised travel.

The book may be enjoyed during:

• Morning learning time
• Quiet afternoons
• Family reading
• Bedtime
• Preschool activities
• School holidays
• Supervised journeys
• Alphabet-themed play
• Roald Dahl story sessions

The pages and binding should still be handled carefully and kept away from food, liquids and excessive moisture.

The book is suitable for reading with a parent, grandparent, caregiver, teacher or older sibling.

An adult can introduce each letter, read the example and guide the child through the illustrations. Children can participate by pointing, repeating words and identifying familiar letters.

Shared reading may support:

• Listening
• Speaking
• Letter recognition
• Vocabulary development
• Visual observation
• Memory
• Turn-taking
• Interest in books

Repeated reading allows children to become increasingly familiar with the letter sequence and featured vocabulary.

Roald Dahl ABC Board Book offers a hands-on alternative to mobile phones, tablets, television and video games.

Children participate actively by holding the book, turning pages, pointing to letters, repeating words and discussing the pictures.

Related screen-free activities may include:

• Matching alphabet cards
• Finding letters around the home
• Drawing letters in sand
• Making letters with modelling dough
• Sorting objects by first sound
• Singing an alphabet song
• Drawing a favourite book character
• Finding the first letter of family names

Any small learning materials should be used with appropriate adult supervision.

Begin by looking at the cover and asking the child which letters or characters they recognise.

Read slowly and point to each printed letter. Encourage the child to repeat the letter and word without placing pressure on them to remember everything immediately.

Choose only a few pages when the child has a short attention span. Return to familiar letters before introducing new ones.

Praise observation, participation and effort. Alphabet learning should remain playful and enjoyable.

After reading, store the book upright or flat in a clean and dry location.

Product title: Roald Dahl’s ABC
SEO product title: Roald Dahl ABC Board Book
Author: Roald Dahl
Illustrator: Quentin Blake
Publisher/Imprint: Puffin
Format: Board book
Language: English
Page count: 24 pages
ISBN-13: 9780241370308
ISBN-10: 0241370302
Publication date: 13 June 2019
Dimensions: 186 × 19 × 187 mm
Publisher-listed weight: 452 grams
Learning areas: Alphabet, letter recognition, beginning sounds and vocabulary
Letters covered: A to Z
Suitable for: Early alphabet learning and shared reading

Roald Dahl ABC Board Book combines all 26 letters, playful vocabulary and Quentin Blake’s lively illustrations in one sturdy early-learning title.

Children can explore the alphabet, connect letters with words and develop observation, listening and speaking skills. The memorable examples and colourful characters help make alphabet practice enjoyable and engaging.

Its durable board-book format makes the Roald Dahl ABC Board Book suitable for repeated family reading, preschool activities and young children beginning to recognise letters.

Choose the Roald Dahl ABC Board Book for a gloriumptious alphabet adventure filled with funny words, distinctive characters and colourful learning.

Explore our complete Roald Dahl books collection to discover more board books, classic stories and colourful early-learning adventures.

View the official publication details for

Roald Dahl ABC Board Book on Penguin Books