Antler, Bear, Canoe: A Northwoods Alphabet Year

From its memorable, unusually fine woodcuts, to the telling glimpse it offers of a life that is close to the rhythms of nature, this debut is no garden variety ABC book. Bowen, a Minnesota native whose artwork is both vigorous and fresh, combines her alphabet with an almanac of seasons. The words she chooses to illustrate each letter are somewhat unexpected for the intended audience: ``rendezvous,'' ``upstairs,'' ``junk''; but the brief, sometimes surprisingly lyrical text that accompanies them links everything in a sharply observant chronicle of northwoods life. There is an abundance of fun tidbits tucked into the pages as well--the fact that canoe paddles have to be kept tied high in a tree, for example, so they aren't mistaken for bear snacks, or information on the equal-opportunity parenting style of loons--both male and female sit on the eggs. Ages 4-8. (Sept.)