Pages

Friday 16 September 2016

Review: An Artist's Alphabet

One can never, ever, never get enough of alphabet books. The joy in them, oftentimes, is finding a new way, a new concept, to present something so dear and familiar to children and adults alike.

In Norman Messenger's An Artist's Alphabet, tradition is tossed out the window with an artist's interpretation of the ABC that's as delicious as its irreverence.

No, C is not for 'wave', but it could be for curve (in this stunning visual à la The Great Wave Off Kanagawa by Hokusai). D may not be for 'cat', but a feline sure does make for a beautifully-shaped letter D--both upper and lower case.
The letter R can be rendered in the negative space of exquisitely crafted trees, yes it can. And the shape a snake makes effects the perfect Q.

There are no rules with this visually stunning book, and that's just the way I like it. Not only does the imagery make the reader ponder and wonder and think, it delights with its finely-designed illustrations and layout--drawing on such themes and styles as botanical, woodblock, watercolour, mythology, classical and modern.

There are no other words for it--simply scrumptious.

Title: An Artist's Alphabet
Author/Illustrator: Norman Messenger
Publisher: Walker Studio, $29.99
Publication Date: 1 September 2016
Format: Hard cover
ISBN: 9781406346763
For ages: 3+
Type: Picture Book