Unique, inquisitive and endlessly imaginative, every boy is an action hero in this modern alphabet of childhood.

The affection visible in Luke Martineau’s fluid illustrations is matched by Kate Bingham’s tender, witty poem, written to appeal to adults as much as to the puzzling younger mind.

Inspired by original paintings of Luke’s children and by the woodcuts of William Nicholson. As in traditional alphabets, every letter is illustrated by a simple object or action. Running alongside, Kate’s poem takes a less literal approach, responding to the mood of each picture in a loosely rhymed celebration of childhood.

Kate Bingham has published two novels and three books of poetry: Cohabitation, Quicksand Beach and Infragreen. She was shortlisted for hte Forward Prize in 2006 and 2010, and her newest poems can be found in the TLS and the Spectator. Read more about her work at katebingham.com.

Luke Martineau is a painter of informal family portraits, landscapes and still life. For 25 years he has exhibited in London, where he lives. When not drawing inspiration from his own family, painting trips have taken him to Sweden, Germany, Italy, the US, Cambodia, Hong Kong and India. He is currently President of Chelsea Art Society. See more about Luke at lukemartineau.com.

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