Finally, an alphabet book that tackles the beautiful absurdity of English spelling — and makes kids (and grown-ups!) laugh while doing it!

P Is for Pterodactyl turns the traditional alphabet book completely on its head, celebrating the wonderfully weird silent letters and baffling homophones that make English such a delightfully tricky language. Perfect for curious kids, budding readers, and anyone who has ever wondered why "pterodactyl" doesn't start with a T, this book pairs hilarious alliterative sentences with lively illustrations that bring each puzzling word to life. It's a gift that works just as well for the classroom as it does for the bookshelf at home.

Silent Letters, Celebrated: Each entry goes beyond a simple word, using full alliterative sentences like "The noble knight's knife nicked the knave's knee" to show silent letters in action.
Context Clues Built In: Bright, witty illustrations give readers visual support to decode even the trickiest spellings, making the learning feel effortless and fun.
Perfect for All Ages: While it looks like a picture book, the clever humour and linguistic quirks will delight older children, parents, and teachers equally.
Vocabulary and Spelling Skills: Exposure to homophones, silent letters, and unusual orthography builds a strong foundation for reading and writing development.

About the Authors

Raj Haldar is a musician and writer with a passion for wordplay and language. P Is for Pterodactyl was born from his fascination with the quirks and contradictions of English spelling. Chris Carpenter is a writer and collaborator who shares that love of linguistic humour, bringing wit and warmth to the text alongside Haldar.

Product Details

Publisher: Sourcebooks
Publication date: 2018
Language: English
Print length: 40 pages
ISBN-13: 9781492674313