Using a can't-miss formula, these 26 original stories and accompanying illustrations connect kids' love of animals and drawing with early literacy skills. Award-winning author Dianne de Las Casas has found, through personal experience in sharing handmade tales with teachers and librarians in workshops around the world, that they absolutely love "draw and tell tales." A is for Alligator: Draw and Tell Tales from A-Z puts that knowledge to work to facilitate the teaching of early literacy skills by connecting learning with kids' love of animals and drawing. De Las Casas's innovative tales are accompanied by illustrator Marita Gentry's animal pictures, cleverly incorporating the alphabet to create simple draw and tell tales. A-Z chapters use the entire alphabet as a foundation for drawing animals. Offering a sure way to both entertain and educate, the book is perfect for elementary teachers, librarians, and drama teachers of all levels of expertise, but can also be used by storytellers, scout leaders, camp counselors, and others who work with groups of children. 26 easy, step-by-step stories and simple illustrations 8-12 illustrations per story A glossary that explains all the animals Stories appropriate for grades PreK-3