Ah! Belle Cite! (A Beautiful City ABC) (English and French Edition) - Hardcover

Poulin, Stephane

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0887761755 ISBN 13: 9780887761751

Publisher: Tundra Books, 1985

Synopsis

Book by Poulin, Stephane

About this title

Reviews

Grade 2 Up Although unique in conceptan alphabet book whose vibrant illustrations acquaint children not only with words but also with the places and life of a citythis book is not totally successful. Each page is given over to a full-color painting that illustrates some aspect of Montreal and one word (in both French and English). The paintings are in a primitive style, making use of broad areas of flat color, with a wealth of detail in each picture, sometimes quite humorous. While these paintings are of typical places in Montreal, Poulin's portrayal of people is rather curious. They are either long of neck or short and squat, their complexions range from pinky-white, to blue to a bilious green, and most all have lively expressions which add an enigmatic note to each setting. But this would not detract from the attractive colorfulness of the artwork and the unique quality of a "city ABC" if children were acquainted with the caption-like narrations for each letter given at the end of the book and thereby easily overlooked. It is unfortunate that these paragraphs (in both French and English) are not on the same or the opposite page of each illlustration. As it is, the book does not make a cohesive whole out of its separate parts. Although visually attractive, this book does not work as either an alphabet book or a tour of a city. Patricia Homer, Lowville School Library,
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: Tundra Books
• Publication date: 1985
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0887761755
• ISBN 13: 9780887761751
• Binding: Hardcover