New Children's ABC Book Grows with Child and Emphasizes Values

    ASHBURN, VA, December 09, 2014 /24-7PressRelease/ -- "In this fast-paced world, it's critical that children absorb values while learning to read, use language, and other basics," says Mary Beth Burke, co-author of The Alphabet Burglar. It's a 36-page, illustrated, ABC fiction book for children ages 5 through 12, and it focuses on why alphabet letters need to be available to everyone.

In addition to its unique theme, this alphabet book is unusual in that it grows with the learning level of the child. It does so by blending vocabulary words associated with higher levels of learning, and is rich with use of alliteration and cause-and-effect situations. From the age of five on up, there is something new to be discovered in each reading. This book, unlike others, will not be shelved within a year or two.

The main character of the book -- the mischievous Alphabet Burglar -- engages the reader with a slightly scary, but innocent, appearance. He greedily collects letters of the alphabet, with consequences that will both delight and shock young readers. When his greed results in some unexpected hurdles, the burglar is forced to rethink his quest. "'Mine, mine, mine!' is how the Alphabet Burglar initially approaches the world," explains co-author David Burke. "Eventually he realizes that his greed is not going to get him anywhere, and there are better options."

The offbeat picture book was inspired by the authors' decades of experience teaching children and adults to read. "Engaging the reader from the first page is an essential part of learning -- so it's an absolute must in teaching," noted Mary Beth Burke.

Ten percent of profits help defray medical costs for 4th grader Taylor Love (www.TaylorLove.org) and support The Brad Kaminsky Foundation (www.tbkf.org) to fund research for adult and pediatric brain cancer.

Co-author Mary Beth Burke earned a B.A. in Paralegal Studies and an M.S. in Reading Education from Marywood University. She has taught in public and private schools as a reading specialist and elementary teacher. She owns Ashburn Tutors, LLC (www.AshburnTutors.com) in Loudoun County, Virginia, and serves as director and as a private tutor. The Alphabet Burglar is her first children's picture book.

David Burke earned a B.A. degree from Norwich University and an M.S. in Reading Education from Marywood University. He has taught in public and private schools as a reading specialist and a learning disabilities teacher. He tutors full-time for Ashburn Tutors, LLC and owns 123 ABC Books, LLC (www.123ABCbooks.com). The Alphabet Burglar is his first illustrated children's picture book.

For more information about The Alphabet Burglar, please visit www.123ABCbooks.com. Available at www.Amazon.com & www.123ABCbooks.com; ISBN-10: 149529238X; ISBN-13: 978-1495292385.

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