ABCs Get Artful in New Art Institute of Chicago Book

It seems hard to believe, but even the act of learning those beloved old ABCs has been altered to accommodate the way our brains now work in this new digital age. Indeed, as manageable as the ABC song had always seemed to be, they've apparently taken to...slowing it down a bit, even inserting a dramatic pause just before the big "LMNOP" moment. And perhaps in the hopes of creating equity and fairness between the letters, the "and" has even been eliminated between the "Y" and "Z" - so that the latter is not left feeling like...an afterthought? (Letters are people too!)

Which is why we are very much loving the new book 'ABCs at the Art Institute of Chicago', which decisively addresses the much more important question of how to make the ABCs more, well...exciting. Books about the alphabet, of course, represent our first exposure to learning, with the 2 - 4 year olds lapping up all that knowledge with the sort of innocent enthusiasm that comes with being in the pre-school period of one's burgeoning life.

Since this version is being published by one of America's most respected and hallowed museums, however, it now comes with a side of early exposure to really amazing art.

For example, on the 'Tt' page, since "t" is for "train", the accompanying image is of René Magritte's 1938 masterpiece of Surrealism 'Time Transfixed' - which depicts a steam-blowing locomotive rushing out of a...fireplace. Should you find it an odd visual to have to explain to your young child, please just be assured that it's been proven how much kids love surrealist art, as it sparks the wildest possibilities of their imaginations.

Additional featured artworks include Georgia O'Keefe's enigmatic 'Sky Above Clouds', pointilist Georges Seurat's iconic 'A Sunday on La Grande Jatte', and, naturally, Jasper Johns’ 'Alphabet', which gave the ABCs an appropriately Pop Art treatment in 1959, just as that movement was becoming a genuine mainstream phenomenon. Though we must admit we are particularly excited for the inclusion of the chaotic 'Dancing Bug' painting by Chicago native Tony Fitzpatrick, which adorns the 'Ii' page, since "i" is for "insect", obviously.

The smartly curated artworks make the book a genuinely thrilling page turner, even if you do know ahead time which actual letter is coming next.

The official launch of 'ABCs at the Art Institute of Chicago' will actually be at the center of the museum's next big Family Day on November 7, titled 'Picture This'. It is an event devoted entirely to the joy of books, with live readings, art activities, and special guest artist Annie Kielman, who happens to also be a teacher at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Megan Mcfarlane, host of the Chicago Public Library’s 'Destination Discovery Story Time' will also be on hand to round out fun.

It takes place at the museum's Ryan Learning Center, and best of all, it's always FREE - which we especially appreciate in these times when Americans are seriously having to mind their budgets.

Note: For those without geographic proximity to Chicago, the museum has engaging, educational online video content that you can enjoy at home as a family.

(All images courtesy of The Art Institute of Chicago)