Children's books: ABCs of the theater

 But Harriet Zeifert's Lights on Broadway: A Theatrical Tour From A to Z, illustrated by Elliot Hareloff (Blue Apple; 48 pages; $19.99; ages 7-up) uses the alphabet motif for kids of any age who are interested in theater. It also includes an introduction, postscript and one-song CD by Tony award-winning musical theater star Brian Stokes Mitchell.

This bright picture book features spunky, cartoon-like illustrations, multiple words for each letter ("A" is for "audition," "actor," "audience" and "applause") and highlights quotes from some of Broadway's finest performers, producers, directors, composers, playwrights and set designers. Several actors reveal the moment in childhood when they got hooked. Liza Minnelli says at 13 she wanted to be an ice skater. "But my parents took me to see a Broadway show, and it changed my entire life. The show was 'Gypsy' with Ethel Merman."

Others offer sophisticated insights into the craft of theater, such as Stephen Sondheim on eliminating the "fourth wall" on the "F" page, or David Belasco, who wrote directed or produced more than 100 Broadway plays, saying, "Lights are to drama what music is to the lyrics of a song" on the "L" page.

There is even vocabulary the average adult might not know, such as "wrangler" ("An adult assigned to watch young performers while they are in the theater") and "glow tape" ("Tape that glows in the dark and is used to mark the stage floor so that actors can locate their places in a blackout"). It's a lively read for an aspiring actor, hopeful hoofer or any kid who enjoys learning about what people do for a living.