CDB! facts for kids
CDB! is a super fun children's book created by William Steig. It was first published in 1968 by Simon & Schuster (ISBN: 0671650238). This unique book is filled with pictures that have special captions. These captions are written in a kind of code where letters stand for words that sound like the letter's name. For example, the title CDB! actually means "See (CEE) the (DEE) bee (BEE)!"
The book uses clever illustrations to help you figure out what the coded captions mean. The pictures show scenes that match the hidden message. For instance, the cover shows a child pointing out a bee to another child, which helps you understand the title.
Contents
What is CDB!?
CDB! is a picture book that challenges readers to solve word puzzles. It's all about playing with the sounds of letters to make whole words. This type of word puzzle is sometimes called a gramogram.
How Does the Book Work?
Each page in CDB! has a drawing and a short caption. The caption isn't written in regular words. Instead, it uses single letters or groups of letters that sound like words when you say them out loud. For example, if you see "I M A B", you might sound it out as "I am a bee." The picture next to it would likely show a bee, helping you confirm your guess! It's like a secret language game.
The Author and Updates
The brilliant mind behind CDB! is William Steig, a famous American cartoonist and children's book author. He wrote and drew all the pictures for the book. Many years after it first came out, Steig updated CDB!. He added bright colors to his drawings, making them even more lively. He also included an answer key at the end of the book, so if you get stuck on a puzzle, you can check your answer! Steig even wrote a follow-up book called CDC? which continued the fun word puzzles.
Why is CDB! So Special?
CDB! has been loved by kids and adults for many years because it's a fun and clever way to think about language.
A Fun Way to Play with Words
People who review books have often praised CDB!. Richard F. Abrahamson, a writer for The Reading Teacher, said that the book is "hilarious" for kids who enjoy playing with words and sounds. Another reviewer, Lilian H. Heil, mentioned that the book is just as entertaining for grown-ups as it is for children. It's a book that can bring families together to solve puzzles and laugh.
Predicting Textspeak
Interestingly, some people believe that CDB! was ahead of its time. Steven Heller, a design expert, pointed out that the book predicted the rise of SMS language, also known as textspeak. Textspeak is the short, coded language we often use when sending text messages, like "4 u" instead of "for you." The way CDB! uses letters to sound like words is very similar to how textspeak works. It shows how language can change and adapt in creative ways.
CDB! and Other Creations
The unique idea of CDB! has inspired other artists and authors to create their own books using similar word puzzles.
- Joana Avillez and Molly Young made a book called D C-T!, which features cartoons about New York City. "D C-T" sounds like "the city."
- Amy Sohn created CBD!, which uses gramograms to talk about cannabidiol.
- Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Tom Lichtenheld wrote a book called Wumbers. They dedicated their book to William Steig and said CDB! was their inspiration. Wumbers mixes regular words with numbers to make new sounds, like "Would you like some honey 2 swee10 your tea?"
A Pizza Place Inspired by a Book?
Believe it or not, CDB! even inspired the name of a chain of pizzerias in the Tampa area! The restaurants, called CDB Pizza, operated from 1975 to 2019. The owners loved the book so much that they kept copies of CDB! on the tables for customers to read while they waited for their food. Many customers enjoyed the book so much that they took copies home! Because of this, the restaurant owners ended up buying about 15,000 copies of the book over the years to keep their tables stocked. It's a fun example of how a book can inspire things in unexpected ways!
