Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

DO NOT BUY THIS FOR YOUR CHILDREN. I am dumbfounded as to why this book is on a bestseller list of *children's* stories, though it makes a little more sense when I read some of the reviews posted here. I don't believe they're from parents or actual buyers - they mostly repeat what is said in the sales description. I heard the NPR interview with the author. They made the book sound like a light-hearted collection of stories about each letter of the alphabet. I was so excited to order this book in anticipation of my friend's son turning 3 years old next month. But the book arrived at my office today and I shared it with other parents and we all agree that the book is NOT APPROPRIATE for children who are even 8, 9, 10, 11, or 12 years old, and by those ages, they've already learned the alphabet. Here is what's really inside this book: - Incredibly DARK, morbid and creepy stories. Examples: A child setting a bridge on fire (try to get a 4 year old to understand the metaphor of burning bridges why don't you), a woman falling off a cliff to her death, a cup jumping to its death, a man being electrocuted. The stories might be amusing for 20-somethings at a cocktail party, not for young children learning the alphabet. - Words that a child just learning the alphabet would not understand. Would your 5 year old understand what an "enigma" or a "molecule" is? - Insulting and discouraging language, such as calling one character lazy and another character stupid. I was very disappointed and will be searching for a much more appropriate birthday present.