AlphaOops!: The Day Z Went First by Alethea Kontis , Bob Kolar Search Amazon for other books by or about Alethea Kontis. Rating: Reviewed by: John L. Hoh, Jr.

We have all learned the alphabet. It is a basic skill we master early in the education process. Even in languages I've taken using a non-Roman alphabet, such as Greek and Hebrew, the first order of business was the alphabet.

And order is what this book is about. One day "Z" wants to go first. He always goes last! Today he wants to go first. So, starting with "Z," the alphabet is in a different order. Soon "P" wants to go earlier as well. He's tired of being the "middle letter," a fact that remains with a backwards alphabet.

Of course if you give an inch someone takes a foot. You see each letter offers a word that letter starts with. Until it's "F's" turn. "F" offers two items it starts-flowers and fairies. "V" protests that she didn't get to pick two things and she should get another turn! The motion is denied especially since "X" complains about a shortage of things to choose from. But "T," "L," and "K" claim two things before they are trumped by "C" listing three things. "V" then tries to get another thing in and "G" offers that "V is for violence."

Finally we get to "A" and "A" makes use of the wait. "A" lists 21 things-yes, even ALPHABET!

And everyone at the ends apologizes and vows never to alter the eternal order of letters again.