Article Contributed by Gratefulweb
Published on 2026-06-04
Photo: Courtesy of The Widespread Alphabet
The music of Widespread Panic has drawn generations of fans together across the country for more than 40 years. Now, the first children’s book drawing inspiration from the southern jam band - The Widespread Alphabet will be published this fall.
Kickstarter for The Widespread Alphabet
Written by teacher and author Pete Mason, The Widespread Alphabet is a must for Widespread Panic fans of any age. Children are able to learn the alphabet with vibrant drawings illustrated by Pittsburgh artist Mark Serlo, with art on each page evoking a Widespread Panic connection, along with easy to read text for kids, parents and grandparents.
“The lyrics of Widespread Panic lend themselves to incredible imagery thanks to the story telling nature of many of the band's songs. Mark Serlo captures the spirit of each song vividly, and working with him on this book was a fantastic collaboration that has produced a book I hope Widespread Panic fans will enjoy for years to come.” - Pete Mason
Fans will catch various nods to the band through the songs referenced on each page, as well as tributes to Georgia, a notable fan or two, and characters from the songs of Widespread Panic.
Listen to a Spotify Playlist for The Widespread Alphabet
Origins of The Widespread Alphabet
Having just published his fourth children's book, Counting Down the Number Line, in 2020, Mason began work on The Widespread Alphabet, bringing artist Mark Serlo who signed on in 2025 to create the illustrations for each page.
For this book, Mark switched styles, considering artwork that was in an approachable style for children, a variation from Mark's poster art. Said Serlo, “In teaching children to paint in my studio each Saturday morning, I've found that being loose and not adhering to strict rules appeals to them more, while I do teach some strict rules of drawing, still allowing them some loose colorful sloppy time to increase their imagination. We are appealing to parents with kids that are even younger as a rule with an alphabet book, projecting a mantra of 'stay loose and allow imagination to fill in the rest.'"
As for Mason, he notes “My love of Widespread Panic’s music and the band’s place in my life led me to creating a book I am truly proud of and grateful for the work that has been put in over the past year by Mark to bring these pages to life.” adding, “Together, we hope this book will be a must have item on every bookshelf for Widespread Panic fans of all ages, and bring the joy-filled music of the band to the children as they learn the ABCs.”
Learn more and get your copy of The Widespread Alphabet via Kickstarter.
About Pete Mason: Pete Mason is a teacher and writer living outside Albany, NY with his wife and step son. The author of 7 books, The Widespread Alphabet marks his 5th children's book, combining elements of music and lyrics into an educational book for children. He promotes artists through PhanArt shows, highlighting music-inspired fan creations. Pete serves on the board of directors for The Mockingbird Foundation, supporting music education through a competitive grant process across the country. He is Publisher of NYS Music and coaches youth soccer.
About Mark Serlo: An artist since childhood, Mark Serlo began his work in the Rock and Roll industry designing promotional posters for countless acts at the Boulder Theater and the Fox Theatre in Boulder, CO. Since then he has moved on to oil painting and designing merchandise and posters for lots of acts we love, including: The Grateful Dead, Widespread Panic, Phil Lesh and Friends, Terrapin Crossroads, the Disco Biscuits and Umphreys McGee, and many more.
