School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 1-A book that is stronger in concept than in execution. The endpapers let readers know from the outset that the action in this book takes place inside a dictionary. The first page boasts a definition of an aardvark, thus introducing the main character. Alfred is an aardvark but he does not eat ants. In fact, his pet is an ant that he calls Itty Bitty. While Mama is away, he and Itty Bitty dig down through the dictionary to visit the zoo. Along the way, they encounter a woodpecker that threatens to eat Itty Bitty. Mama comes along at just the right moment and saves the day. Back they go to their aardvark tunnel in time for bed. It's not an alphabet book per se and it is not a credible adventure, and thus the story falls flat. Children who know the alphabet will recognize that the bird that appears is a woodpecker because of where the characters are in the dictionary. Other youngsters will have to wait for the page turn to find it identified. The same is true of the ending, when they board a zeppelin with Mr. Zebra to head back home. While they make it home safe and sound, the ending leaves readers wanting more. A remarkable illustrator, George's work here is a disappointment as well.-Joan Kindig, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Horn Book Review
Alfred the aardvark lives with his mother on the A page of a dictionary. When his pet ant wanders away, Alfred digs his way down to Z to find him. Mama saves them, and then they tour a zoo. This take on traditional alphabet books is convoluted, but its unfussy watercolor and ink pictures nicely support the book's flights of fancy. (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. All rights reserved.
Booklist Review
Alfred the aardvark, his mother, and his pet ant, Itty Bitty, lead a cozy life in a tiny burrow. One day, when Alfred's mother is out, Itty Bitty runs away. To find him, Alfred digs into the dictionary, past all the letters of the alphabet, until he reaches W, where he locates Itty Bitty and rescues him from a woodpecker. Hearing the commotion, Mama scritches and scratches her way down to them in a swirl of ink and letters, dispatches the bird, and takes the escapees through X and Y to the zoo. Afterward, they zigzag their way to a blimp, which takes them home. In the final scene, Alfred and Mama are making zzzzzs, while Itty Bitty reads Voyage to Mars, anticipating another adventure. The cartoon-style watercolor-and-ink pictures (a departure for George, who is better known for her wildlife illustrations) perfectly fit the fantasy element of the adventure. It's not entirely clear where the aardvarks actually dwell, but children will still like this unusual romp to the zoo and back.--Enos, Randall Copyright 2008 Booklist