Book list
From Booklist, Copyright © American Library Association. Used with permission.

The latest entry in the publisher's alphabet series spotlights the Kentucky Derby, from A is for Aristides (the first winner of the Derby) to Z is for Zeal. Like others in the series, this picture book presents topics in rhymed couplets accompanied by paragraphs of text in smaller type and a large painting for each entry. The quality of the verse is uneven, but the accompanying prose text is clearly written and interesting. A Kentucky painter who specializes in horses, Corum contributes pleasing paintings that are equally effective in depicting women showing off their Derby Day hats or a groom calming a thoroughbred before the race, and horse lovers will linger over the dramatically lit portrait of Secretariat. While the book's alphabetical structure leads to a rather haphazard arrangement of ideas, children interested in the Derby will absorb each bit of information from each entry while enjoying the colorful illustrations.--Phelan, Carolyn Copyright 2014 Booklist

Horn Book
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

For each letter of the alphabet, a singsongy rhyming quatrain about America's most famous horse race shares space with a dramatic oil painting and a wordy sidebar exploring famous horses, Derby parties, "My Old Kentucky Home," and other racing topics. Though the sunny treatment is too long-winded for a read-aloud, horse fans will appreciate delving deep into their favorite subject. (c) Copyright 2014. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.