T is for Thor, Written by Virginia Loh-Hagan & Illustrated by Torstein Nordstrand

There are not a lot of picture books that are going to be interesting for preschoolers as well as elementary students up to middle graders. This is that rare book. Yes, it is an alphabet book and each letter has a sweet little rhyme, but it is also a mythology book, and middle graders, by and large, love mythology. Using Norse mythology is a lovely idea since students are often familiar with Greek and Roman mythology, but Norse mythology will be a nice surprise. Each letter has a rhyme that explains the character or object that will help youngsters who are learning their alphabets to remember the letters. In addition, there is a much longer text for each letter giving a good deal of information about the subject that will engage and fascinate older readers. The writing is perfectly appropriate for both age levels and fun to read. Each letter also has a spectacular piece of art to accompany it and help to tell the story. The illustrations by Torstein Nordstrand are incredibly detailed and beautiful. One can easily imagine an older sibling with a younger sibling enjoying this book together. What a nice thought.

—Rosi Hollinbeck