Neil Gaiman, the New York Times bestselling author for the children’s book, Coraline, has come up with a new children’s masterpiece. The author, who is also the creator of the widely popular mature comic book The Sandman, has come up with a different kind of alphabet book intended for children aged 4 to 8 years old. His latest is a 32-page book is called The Dangerous Alphabet, published by HarperCollins.

The Dangerous Alphabet is a story about two children who possess a treasure map and embark on an adventure of a lifetime with their pet gazelle. Their journey takes them to a strange world teeming with pirates and monsters of all kinds. What makes the book different is that the story is told in 13 rhyming couplets; or in 26 alphabetical lines. The story begins with, of course, the letter A: “A is for Always, that’s where we embark…”. It is a new and interesting take on the alphabet.

The book mixes a thrilling adventure with elements of piracy, danger, and heroism. It is accompanied by creepy illustrations superbly executed by master illustrator, Gris Grimly.

Some critics and readers believe that the book is not really meant for children of the picture book age. Others believe the book may be more appropriate for older children, especially kids who enjoy ghoulish stories and humor. It is a book full of wit and many hidden meanings. With each reading, one will discover a new interpretation in the lines and the story.

Readers, especially mothers, like the fact that each page is packed with details, thanks to Grimly’s masterful illustrations and the sparse text that accompany them.

Neil Gaiman, who is most famous for his comic book creations for Vertigo, DC Comics’ mature line of comic books, has had two of his works made into film, MirrorMask and Stardust.