Q and U are frequently found together, and that suits them just fine. But one day, U realizes that their relationship is a bit . . . lopsided. While Q only plays with U, U also enjoys being with other letters, which leaves Q feeling lonely. He needs U more than she needs Q. He tries to play with others, but it doesn't work out well. Exasperated by Q's constant presence, U paddles off in a little boat, saying, "I need to be unattached for a while." When news of their split spreads, arguments erupt between other letters. Later, feeling refreshed, U returns and apologizes to Q. Together, they quiet the others down, and all is well in the alphabet. In the intensely colorful, digital artwork, Martin portrays the alphabet characters as three-dimensional letters with human-like legs and stick-figure arms. Their faces, drawn near the tops of the letters, reveal their emotions. The main text carries the narrative, and the letters make comments within the illustrations. A playful picture book for kids who are learning to read and write.

PreS-Gr 2--Conquering kingdoms, quilting for the queen, or simply barbequing, letters Q and U are seemingly inseparable. That is until U begins to feel Q's clinginess and wants to spend more time with her other letter buddies N and S. Q is devastated and lost without U and cannot find new letters to match with quite as easily. U grows frustrated with Q's continued attempts to monopolize her time and escapes to a quiet, secluded island to be alone. News travels quickly to other chummy letter buddies such as TH, SL, WR, and MI that Q and U have split up. Chaos ensues as the pairs become curious about their own independence and break up with their letter buddies. How can anyone enjoy cheese without CH or sleep without SL? Can Q and U quell this alphabet anarchy? This humorous and punny alphabet book highlighting letter blends features colorful and vibrant digitally rendered illustrations. Letter blends within the text are appropriately highlighted in red, making it easy to share examples with young readers. Wade's quirky story pairs well with the personified letters in Anne Marie Houppert's What About X? An Alphabet Adventure. VERDICT An entertaining recommendation for preschool and early elementary school teachers on a quest for alphabet-themed picture books about letter blending.--Emily Brush, Novi P.L., MI

In the world of the alphabet, letters work together as partners to make sounds and words. "Q and U [are] quick friends. Just like T and H, who [are] thick as thieves." More and more words are created by the Q-U team as they quilt together, play games (involving quests and conquest), and even go on field trips (encountering quacking ducks and squealing pigs on a farm). But though they are good friends, U sometimes feels a bit bothered and would like some time alone or with another letter. "Q needed her more than she needed him." It is, of course, easy for the letter U to team up and be a part of words that do not include the letter Q, but that does not quite work for Q. As their separation continues, the other letters of the alphabet also begin to detach from their partners until a loud argument results in an overall inability to make words. "With S ignoring H, there was no way to SHHH! or HUSH the crowd." This prompts Q and U to reconcile in order to shout the word "QUIET!!!!!!" Shocked, the other letters reunite and begin to create their cooperative words again. The witty text incorporates lots of pertinent examples with blends and digraphs highlighted in red. Martin illustrates the fun with colorful individual letter characters who all have eyes, mouths, legs, and arms. An amusing and applicable story to enhance a reading lesson's significance of letter pairs. (Picture book. 5-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

For beginning readers grappling with the intricacies of both phonics and friend groups, this picture book tackles the two together, telling the story of relationships between letter pairs. At the start, Q and U are an inseparable duo and do everything together. "But even though they were good friends, there was a problem. As much as Q loved U, U began to see that Q needed her more than she needed him." Trouble ensues. U begins spending time with N, T, and S, but Q struggles to form other bonds ("It never quite worked...'Hey, qids!'"). The bright, exaggerated cartoon art with its personified alphabet illustrates the situation using words and actions that show the letters working together (or not, in Q's case). U eventually goes off to spend some time alone (and "unattached"), inspiring all the others to seek their own "me time." This creates havoc, as important and necessary words -- such as sleep and play -- cannot be formed. The social dynamics worsen, and everyone begins to quarrel, until finally Q and U reconcile and insist upon "Quiet." Just as readers of this entertaining picture book gain a better understanding of how letters actually work together to form words, the letters themselves develop a better sense of how to be more emotionally supportive friends, thus offering some insight into our own social needs and the needs of others. Julie Roach September/October 2021 p.86(c) Copyright 2021. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.