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[Ad-gifted] If you’re looking for an alphabet book that’s anything but ordinary, Beauty of Letters by Tom Schamp is a wonderful celebration of language, colour and creativity. Aimed at children aged 5–7, this beautifully presented hardback transforms learning the alphabet into a visual adventure, packed with hidden details, quirky humour and hundreds of words to discover.
Published by Prestel Publishing, Beauty of Letters is a 64-page hardback alphabet book recommended for children aged 5–7 years. Each double-page spread is dedicated to one letter of the alphabet and is packed with beautifully illustrated objects, animals, people and places that all begin with that letter. Children are encouraged to search, spot, count and discover hidden words while building vocabulary and letter recognition.
Unlike many alphabet books, there is no storyline to follow. Instead, it’s designed to be explored at your own pace, making it ideal for dipping into over weeks, months and even years as children’s language skills develop.
What did we think of Beauty of Letters?
The first thing that struck me about this book was its size. It’s a physically large hardback with thick, glossy pages that immediately feels like a quality keepsake. Rather than being a bedtime story to read from beginning to end, Beauty of Letters is the kind of book that invites you to dip in and out whenever the mood takes you.
I explored the book with my four and a half year old son, Kitt, and his cousin, Sophie (same age). We’ve found ourselves returning to it when Kitt has been learning new letters, making it a lovely companion to his early literacy journey. Although he’s slightly younger than the recommended age range, he really enjoyed spotting familiar objects, naming pictures and chatting about what he could see. While it didn’t completely captivate him for long periods, that’s perhaps because this isn’t a traditional storybook. Instead, it’s designed to be revisited time and again, with something new to discover on every page.
The illustrations are simply stunning. Every letter bursts with vivid colours, quirky characters and intricate details that make you want to linger. Tom Schamp has filled each page with hundreds of objects beginning with the featured letter, alongside amusing visual jokes and hidden surprises. The more you look, the more you notice.
What I particularly liked is how naturally the book encourages conversation. Rather than simply teaching children to recognise letters, it inspires them to expand their vocabulary, describe what they can see and ask questions. It’s an engaging way to support language development while also encouraging curiosity and observation.
There really isn’t another alphabet book quite like Beauty of Letters. It feels more like an art book that children can interact with than a conventional alphabet book. As children grow, they’ll continue discovering new words and tiny details they may have missed before, making it a book with real longevity.
Where to buy Beauty of Letters and how much does it cost?
Beauty of Letters is available in Hardcover from Prestel Publishing for £22.50.
About the book
Title: Beauty of Letters
Author & Illustrator: Tom Schamp
Publisher: Prestel Publishing
Format: Hardback
Pages: 64
Recommended Age: 5–7 years
Author & Illustrator: Tom Schamp
Publisher: Prestel Publishing
Format: Hardback
Pages: 64
Recommended Age: 5–7 years
ISBN-13 : 978-3791376424
Dimensions : 27.94 x 1.42 x 37.62 cm
About the Author and Illustrator
Tom Schamp is an award-winning Belgian illustrator and author whose instantly recognisable artwork is known for its bold colours, playful humour and extraordinary attention to detail. His books have been translated into numerous languages and are loved for encouraging children to explore, observe and discover. Beauty of Letters perfectly showcases his imaginative style, with every page rewarding careful attention and repeat visits.
Review by Becky McManus
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* We were sent a copy of the book in return for a feature. All opinions are our own.
12 comments
I love what you said that the book not only teaches but also encourages conversation and communication. This is amazing. I will gift it to my friend. Thank you so much.
I hope your friend likes the book as much as we have
What a wonderful idea and concept for a book! I like that this book encourages conversation, which is fantastic for children’s communication skills!
It absolutely does! And it makes a lovely gift too
That is such a great way to get the kids excited about reading. I love the vibrant pictures and the large size.
It sure is and the illustations are so cool as well and attractive
I love the concept behind this! I find typography super interesting so I love how this explores this for younger minds. The illustrations look great. It’s like a small persons coffee table book!
It certainly is and like you said the illustration is super for little ones
Wow those pages are beautiful, I love the illustrations. It may be a little while before this is quite right for my little one but this is definitely the kind of thing I’d want to get for her x
Agree but you could always show the images and read to your little one before she starts reading on her own
This is such an engaging and fun way to showcase the alphabet! I do think having engaging books like this is so much fun.
It absolutely is such a fab book for little ones ready to head to school