X Means Ten on the Face of Big Ben

Across the USA, "London Bridge is Falling Down" chimes from nursery toys. Kindergartners dress up as princesses, while older children learn about England in social studies. 2.6 million Americans visit London annually; millions more watched the royal weddings, jubilee celebrations, and Summer Olympics on TV. X MEANS TEN ON THE FACE OF BIG BEN: A LONDON ALPHABET takes readers ages 5-9 or so through two millennia, highlighting people and events that shaped Europe's largest city.Rhyme and humor make the book fun for kids, as well as adults who read aloud with them. "A Closer Look" in back provides information for teachers, parents, librarians, or older students-facts about the real London Bridge, the Great Fire, monarchs, explorers, architects, and other people or events that made London what it is today. 60 gouache paintings, 2-4 per letter, accompany the rhyming couplets, followed by a medley of photos that indicate much more to discover in this vibrant city. This book sparks an interest in London and serves as a guide for anyone who visits, in reality as well as imagination.Sample: C is a CROWN for a queen or king;History hides beneath the bling....L is for LIONS that face four waysWhile Nelson dreams of glory days....T is the TUBE, a transit system;All those stations! Who can list 'em?... VICTORIA reigned for sixty-four years, An age of science and engineers.... From A to ZED or A to ZEE, London offers lots to see;And most of it is free!