Antler, Bear, Canoe: A Northwoods Alphabet

by Betsy Bowen

Overview

In this companion to Gathering: A Northwoods Counting Book Betsy Bowen again captures the vibrant magic in each northwoods day through effortless prose and colorful woodcuts. While the canoe waits beneath the heavy snow and the river freezes over, bears turn in for long winter naps and people spend time reading by the fire or bundled up in layers. But when spring comes, it’s time for kayaking, fishing, and listening to the quiet pond sounds of the new season. All of this and more is celebrated in Bowen’s warm and unusual alphabet book that introduces children to the cyclical rhythms of life in our country’s northern states.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780618226382
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	08/26/2002
Pages:	40
Sales rank:	405,019
Product dimensions:	8.25(w) x 11.00(h) x 0.17(d)
Age Range:	4 - 7 Years

About the Author

Betsy Bowen is the author-illustrator of several books for children. Reviewers have described her distinctive woodcuts as bold, rich and handsome. The mother of three sons, she has lived with her family on the rugged north shore of Lake Superior in Minnesota for more than thirty years.

Editorial Reviews

PW singled out the ``memorable, unusually fine woodcuts'' in this ABC book, saying also that the author/artist affords a ``telling glimpse... of a life that is close to the rhythms of nature. Ages 4-8. (Sept.)

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

From Antler to Zero (degrees, that is), the seasons of the Minnesota woods come to life in Antler, Bear, Canoe: A Northwoods Alphabet Year by Betsy Bowen. When it was first published in 1991, PW praised the memorable, unusually fine woodcuts and lyrical text. (Aug.) Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.

Publishers Weekly

K-Gr 4-- An alphabet book that is novel in overall concept, ABC words, and illustrations. Bowen has taken as her theme ordinary life in the Minnesota northwoods from January (``Aa'' for ``Antler'') to December (``Zz'' for ``Zero'' temperature). Each letter-word pair is accompanied by a brief, explanatory anecdote. Above it is a -page full-color woodblock illustration that contains true-to-life details that increase effectiveness. There are good find-it-in-the-picture text clues for pre-readers, while older children--especially those familiar with northwoods life--will reread and enjoy the book for Bowen's bold accuracy of concept and presentation. --George Gleason, Department of English, Southwest Missouri State University, Springfield

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