Q: What do you get when you cross a brainteaser with the City by the Bay?
A: Local illustrator Gus D’Angelo’s visual ode to San Francisco — an ABCs poster featuring vignettes of letters, animals, and local totems that poses wordplay puzzles for little ones to solve.
Think of the piece as a series of tongue twisters, wrapped in the alphabet, wrapped in wall art. It comes in a standard frame size, and no matter where you hang it (nursery, breakfast nook), it’s sure to spur daily breakthroughs — once your little scout is old enough to crack the alliterative code.
The illustrations feature tourist must-sees (cable cars, Lombard Street), insider pleasures (Kezar Stadium, Ocean Beach), and even places familiar to junior culture vultures (the Zeum Carousel, the Exploratorium). The challenge: Figure out a phrase that ties them all together (an iguana investing millions in the Internet!).
The Golden Gate Bridge is front and center, spanning the letters “F” and “G.” Go on, riddle us that.
Available at Green Apple Books, 506 Clement Street, between 6th and 7th Avenues (415-387-2272 or greenapplebooks.com); Nest, 2300 Fillmore Street, between Clay and Washington Streets (415-292-6199 or nestsf.com); Tutti Frutti, 718 Irving Street, between 8th and 9th Avenues (415-661-8504); online at sanfranciscoabc.com, $20.
APPLAUD
Teacher Appreciation at Lark Creek Restaurants
What: Michael Dellar’s eight tony spots pay homage to our besieged local teachers by knocking $10 off when they show school IDs.
Why: Show your own appreciation by letting them know.
When: Sat.-May 31.
Where: In San Francisco, One Market Restaurant, 1 Market St., at Steuart St. (415-777-5577); LarkCreekSteak, Westfield San Francisco Centre, 845 Market St., b/t 4th & 5th Sts., ste. 402. To see the entire list, go to facebook.com.
ROMP
Marin History Museum 75th Anniversary Garden Party
What: A Victorian-inspired soiree with period costumes and games (croquet, maypole dances, badminton), plus live tunes, story time, and an ice cream social.
Why: Some old-fashioned (and free) outdoor fun.
When: Sun., 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Where: The Historic Boyd Gate House, 1125 B St., at Mission St., San Rafael (415-454-8538).
READ
Pierre the Penguin
What: Author Jean Marzollo sets the riveting story of the Cal Academy’s real-life balding bird to rhyme.
Why: Cheer for hometown heroes.
When: You want to explain problem-solving.
Where: California Academy of Sciences Gift Shop, 55 Music Concourse Dr., Golden Gate Park (415-379-8000); online at amazon.com.
Illustration: Gus D’Angelo
