A Big City ABC

Linda Ludke is a librarian at the London Public Library.

In this colorful new edition of Moak’s alphabet book about Toronto, we
see a bustling city “through children’s eyes.” The simple text
describes notable sights: “A is for Art,” “B is for Baseball.”
The multicultural folk art illustrations are alive with activity and
depict children skating on the rink in front of Nathan Phillips Square,
drawing animal murals at the zoo, and watching fireworks light up the
sky at the Canadian National Exhibition. Each full-page spread includes
the corresponding upper and lower case letter. At the end of the book,
Moak provides background information and personal anecdotes about the
details in each illustration. He encourages young readers to create an
alphabet book of their own favorite places. This joyful celebration of
urban life will appeal to children whether or not they are from Toronto.
Highly recommended.