A Is for Anemone: A First West Coast Alphabet

First West Coast Books #5

by Roy Henry Vickers, Robert Budd

With crisp, luminous illustrations by celebrated Indigenous artist Roy Henry Vickers, and a simple rythmic text, this sturdy board book introduces the alphabet using iconic imagery of the West Coast, creating a book that will be cherished by young readers and their families.

Starting with colourful sea anemones waving in the ocean current, and closing with a sunset reflected in the tidal zone, this board book supports both early literacy and children's awareness of the natural world.

Publishers Weekly described Vicker’s previous collaboration with Robert Budd as “a gorgeous glimpse of the distinctive landscapes and creatures of the Northwest, [that] will enchant residents and nonlocals alike.”

Genres: Nature, Animals, Picture Books, Childrens, Canada, Indigenous

28 pages, Board Book

First published April 17, 2021

Reviews

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous, literally luminous illustrations (with a sheen); fabulous rhymes, and interesting education. Makes me want to travel with the girls to the northwest of North America and see more of this natural and indigenous world.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Illustrations incorporate First Nation stylized images, and the embossed and glossy images create a tactile experience. It's a beautiful alphabet book for toddlers and preschoolers.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

We are huge fans of @lucky_budd and @royhenryvickersgallery books in this house! Their latest board book in their First West Coast Book series is A for Anemone. A beautiful little alphabet book that uses iconic imagery of the West Coast to encourage young children's knowledge of the natural world. Its just as great as the rest of the series! The bold and beautiful Indigenous artwork is always so eye pleasing, we love the shiny added details to each page too. The rhythmic text is perfect for babies and toddlers, my daughter has actually memorized it. These books were some of my sons favorites, and now they are my daughters. So happy they keep making these!

Thank You @zgstories for sending us this book opinions are my own.
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[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This board book is really beautiful. Most every page uses embossing -- sometimes simply to outline an image, but often to create hidden images (and it makes for a great tactile experience on the Rain page!).

Y is for "You," nicely placing the child reader amidst the natural world -- though it's not the first time humans have shown up in this book (Beachcombers, Clamdiggers, Fishboat, Lighthouse beams, Paddlers, "Valley trails are great for hikes" -- and a few other pages not about human activities include figures of people or boats in the illustrations). I appreciate how the natural world isn't presented as something Other, but is simply the world the child-reader is a part of.

[Tina Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super cute book. Loved that it was all about the beautiful West Coast. Illustrations were beautiful. pages in the book were "embossed" which would be a great added feature for toddlers. The book is all hard cover pages - great for toddlers so it cant rip or be destroyed easily.
Loved the flow of the words.
Highly recommend for the little ones

[Penny · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautifully done board book!! Kudos to Roy Henry Vickers and Robert Budd, who both do fantastic projects separately and then do super fantastic projects together!!
Every little person and big persons too, will love this book! Don't forget to run your fingers over the pages to get the full effect!!
Thank you both for bringing such beauty to my eyes!!!!

[Lillian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stunning and creative alphabet book

[Elizabeth Chang · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the tactile feel in this book! Great addition.

[Luciana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated & simply written, an awesome First West Coast alphabet depicting life on the west coast with intricately drawn First Nations images throughout!

[Amanda Novak]

The way the artist incorporates Indigenous designs into the artwork that are raised up from the main illustration is unique and beautiful.

[Jules · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful read filled with simple rhymes and illustrations that encourage physical engagement. A gem featuring Pacific Northwest-specific creatures and natural settings.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations!

[Lucy Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful

[Laura Sagués · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful lyricised sentences and illustrations

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute little kids book for the neices. Ocean based with some native art. Love it.

[W.R. Gorman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A favorite in our household! My child loves running his fingertips across the pages, especially R is for Rain. The illustrations are beyond gorgeous.

[Great Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vibrant and colorful illustrations by Indigenous artist Roy Henry Vickers bring the natural wonder of the Pacific Northwest to life. Lyrical rhyming text introduces each alphabet letter with imagery from this beautiful region. Reviewer 27

[Malu · Rating 5 out of 5]

The art is incredible, and when coupled with the textures on each page, we get transported to the Pacific Northwest when we flip through each page. This book will be a permanent fixture on our bookshelf.

[Steph]

Turn/Level: 2/2

ABCs, the Pacific Northwest, Native American Heritage, Native American Author

The creator is Native American.