The big concert is approaching, and all the letters of the alphabet desperately need to practice their rendition of the alphabet song—but when they kickstart the last practice session, “B” has gone missing, sending the letters into a tizzy and threatening their performance. At first, they attempt the song backwards, in hopes that B will show up unannounced when his turn rolls around, but when the song flops and B’s still nowhere to be found, they vow to hunt him down. Herrick (Ten Is Too Many!) takes readers on a wild ride with the book’s alphabet cast as they take over B’s home and the local zoo in search of the elusive escapee.

Aside from giving young readers an entertaining opportunity to practice their alphabet, Herrick offers plenty of fun as well—particularly as the alphabet searches high and low in B’s house. “P” of course makes a beeline for the playroom, joined by a few friends, to take up a game of pool, while “H” heads to the hallway, only to miss B waking up late in his room. As B realizes, much to his embarrassment, that he’s missed concert practice, he quickly gets ready, taking care of a morning routine that even includes some time on the toilet. The other letters continue their clumsy search in every nook and cranny, but to no avail.

Meanwhile, “Z” has zoomed off to the local zoo, convinced that B can be found in his favorite exhibits, but his mission’s a failure too—and even puts him in danger of missing the concert performance. Herrick’s computer-generated illustrations are a collage of brightly hued letters in very relatable situations for young readers, including “L” making a mess of B’s laundry room and “K” raiding the fridge. Ultimately, they all manage to reunite just in the nick of time, giving this amusing story a well-earned happy ending.

Takeaway: Entertaining alphabet cast searches for a letter who’s gone missing.

Comparable Titles: Nancy Lessard Downing’s My Alphabet Soup, Audrey Wood and Bruce Wood’s Alphabet Mystery.

Production grades
Cover: B
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: B+
Editing: A-
Marketing copy: A