Note: Since first writing this post in 2012, the Ministry of Letters is no longer around. But I just loved the clever concept of a singing alphabet, so I left this post up as creative inspiration. You can still buy their book!
Have you discovered the Ministry of Letters yet?
There is a secret world that not many of us know about! Inside an ordinary post box in London, there exists a top secret government department, The Ministry of Letters. It is here where all the words in the world are made. Every word you’ll ever read! But shhh, don’t tell anyone…this is highly classified information!
Ministry of Letters is a clever website that is the best thing I’ve seen in ages. They call themselves the “official department in charge of inspiring children to love words”. The letters are the stars, and they all have their own personality. “M” wears heels, her favorite word is marmalade and she plays the mandolin. Each letter also has their own personnel file where they share a selection of their favorite words, keeping your child entertained for hours.
Their book, Operation Alphabet, is truly a beautiful, beautiful book. Besides being a great story about a daydreaming boy and his boring homework, it has a wonderful underlying message about how learning can be fun and that letters and words are more then just school-work!
They’ve also just introduced their new iPad App, The Singing Alphabet (see the trailer for their app here on YouTube). It’s FANTASTIC and you and your child will be dancing in your chairs.
The Ministry of Letters has a manifesto, which is set to a catchy tune. Here is an excerpt:
At home, in dens or simply school,
We letters are a splendiferous tool!
Make a new word every day,
Then use it every possible way.
Use us wisely, use us for fun,
One at a time or by the ton.
And every time that you open a book,
Just think of how many letters it took!
Lots of inspiration for your child who is just starting their love affair with letters and reading!
xo, Bar
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