US COAST GUARD ALPHABET BOOK

An alphabetical guide detailing coast guard history, navigational terms, and sailing facts.

This picture book reads like a visual glossary, providing readers with information about everything from the origins of the U.S. Coast Guard to details about specific ships. Each letter of the alphabet is accompanied by a related term and a paragraph of information. With “K is for knot,” for instance, the authors note that a knot refers to both a way to tie up ropes and the speed of a ship. Robust vocabulary, complex topics (such as how the U.S. Coast Guard was formed in 1790 “to collect taxes from cargo-carrying ships”), and labeled diagrams like one of a sextant make the book best suited for elementary school readers seeking information on navigation or the history of the U.S. Coast Guard rather than those learning the alphabet. The illustrations are largely photographs or realistic drawings. With a clean layout and simple focal points, the art is appealing and will help readers easily make sense of the information. Most people depicted appear to be white, though people of color are portrayed, too. “G is for Gold Lifesaving Medal” highlights Ida Lewis, the first woman to receive this award. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

Practical and engaging nonfiction.