GREENAWAY MEDAL WINNER – 1962
Brian Wildsmith, illustrator
London: Oxford University Press, 1962
Ages: infant +
Interests: animals, alphabet
This is a very, very simple but beautiful book: a slim ABC tome with a single letter, word and drawing on each page. It’s all about the artwork of course, and Brian Wildsmith’s characteristic style is strong and expressionistic; the colours are vibrant and arresting . His brush strokes have both a childlike, rough quality, but are nevertheless imbue his subjects with great realism and personality.
Perfect for babies to gaze at, for toddlers to name the object, for preschoolers to identify letters (presented in caps as well as lower case), and for beginning readers too. (The fascinating pictures will continue to draw in readers who may think themselves ‘too old’ for simple ABC books.) An excellent baby shower gift that will stay in the family library for many years.
Rarest Kind of Best 