cover image A Prairie Alphabet

A Prairie Alphabet

Jo Bannatyne-Cugnet. Tundra Books (NY), $19.95 (32pp) ISBN 978-0-88776-292-5

In this superlative book, Moore's impressive artwork brings the lifestyle of Canadian plains residents into crystal-clear focus. Twenty-six paintings reveal children, adults and animals working and playing--and observing the natural beauty of their rural homeland. On each page, a single sentence, consisting of words that begin with the featured letter, describes a scenario: ``We auction our Aberdeen Angus at Agribition''; ``A mouse munches a meal of millet by moonlight.'' Moore's intricate, realistic style--calling to mind a cross between Andrew Wyeth and Norman Rockwell--lets readers appreciate details usually found only in a photograph: the uneven grain of wood on the side of a barn; delicate embroidery on a dish towel; and subtle cloud patterns in a winter sky. At the end of the volume are listed objects in each picture that begin with the featured letter, which will inspire youngsters to flip through these engaging pages once again. Bannatyne-Cugnet's (somewhat pricey) first book also includes explanations of each practice or custom depicted. All ages. (Oct.)