A terrifyingly hilarious take on Edward Gorey's classic macabre alphabet book parody The Gashlycrumb Tinies, Baby's First Mythos is a children's reader featuring Lovecraftian characters and locations. From Azathoth to Anton Zarnak, each letter of the alphabet is accompanied by a twisted little rhyme and creepy illustration. The Lovecraft mythos references are spot-on and will be appreciated by even the most fanatical fan of H.P.'s work, this short reader is sure to please the little Elder God in your household. ( )

Z-Man Games has reprinted the 2004 classic Baby's First Mythos by CJ and Erica Henderson. This is great news, as I had despaired of ever seeing a copy of the original.

The premise is simple. CJ Henderson wrote an alphabet in verse and two counting rhymes, using mythos critters, and his daughter, Erica Henderson illustrated them. The rhymes are clever enough, if strained at times, but the drawings are simply wonderful. The introduction by Robert Price is amusing, as is the new (a tad long winded) afterword, by William Jones. However the art is what will make this book a collector's item for years to come. I don't know what Ms. Henderson has done in the intervening years but I would love to see some other samples of her work.

Fanatical collectors are hanging on to their first editions, but those of us who missed out now have a way to enjoy Baby's First Mythos (and no, it's not a kid's book at all!). If you liked Where the Deep Ones Are or The Littlest Shoggoth, you'll love this book. ( )