For parents tired of the old “A is for Apple, B is for Bear” routine, An Indie Rock Alphabet Book offers a welcome change. The small paperback picture book, published by Paste Media Group (the publishers of Paste magazine), written by Caren Kelleher, Kate Kiefer and Rachael Maddux, and illustrated by owen the owen, gives musically minded parents a chance to introduce their kids to their favorite musicians that hang out just outside of the mainstream.

In this world, “B is for Belle and Sebastian,” “I is for Iron & Wine,” and “T is for Tom Waits.” The single-color artwork is simple and charming, while the text describes each band or artist with a short — and often silly — rhyme.

A great pre-bedtime book, An Indie Rock Alphabet is eye candy for babies and entertainment for older kids who may then ask mom and dad to pull out their CDs (or even … maybe … vinyl!) to learn more about the artists discussed within. Just imagine — it could be your preschooler discussing the merits of Uncle Tupelo or Neutral Milk Hotel on the playground!

An Indie Rock Alphabet Book: A Paste Reader for Kids & Their Parents, by Caren Kelleher, Kate Kiefer, and Rachael Maddux, and illustrated by owen the owen. (CreateSpace, $12.95). Available at www.pastemagazine.com and Little Shop of Stories in Decatur.