SAILING THE ABCs is a richly illustrated picture book that bridges the gap between the ABC song and early phonics by bringing individual letters to life. 

Before children learn the sounds letters make, they first need to recognize and connect with the letters themselves.

Many children can proudly sing the ABC song long before they truly recognize each individual letter. Sailing the ABCs bridges that important early learning step by bringing letters to life as memorable characters—new alpha-besties children can meet, follow, and befriend on a whimsical nautical adventure. 

Join ABC, DEF, and their alphabet friends as they sail the alphabet seas aboard a wondrous origami boat! 

ABC 

sail out to sea

in a boat so grand

to a distant land.

Through lyrical rhyming verse and captivating watercolor illustrations, each letter becomes a distinct personality within small, easy-to-remember clusters. Young readers are invited to recognize their new letter friends while following them through a playful journey filled with discovery, imagination, and wonder. 

Explore a tropical island where the alpha-besties discover majestic waterfalls, animal shapes hidden in fluffy clouds, crashing waves inside seashells, and sandy shores. Along the way, children can search for delightful visual surprises woven throughout the story while enjoying a rhythmic read-aloud experience. 

Created by Ophra Ashur, a child therapist, educator, and lifelong facilitator of “Aha!” moments, Sailing the ABCs gently supports the earliest stage of literacy by helping children build joyful connections with letters before making the important connection between letters and their sounds.

The adventure continues beyond the story with interactive activities, including a letter color key, a Can U C visual discovery challenge, and instructions for folding an origami sailboat. 

More than an alphabet book, Sailing the ABCs invites children to meet the letters they will one day read—one alpha-bestie, one discovery, and one little “Aha!” moment at a time.

Get ready to set sail!