In this delightful reworking of the much-loved children’s classic Over in the Meadow, youngsters are introduced to the wide range of wildlife that call Newfoundland and Labrador home. With its lovely, lilting cadence and repetitive structure, this book has both a joyful exuberance and a gentle, soothing quality. From Newfoundland ponies to polar bears, puffins to harbour seals, this timeless counting rhyme celebrates an assortment of creatures as they stomp, roar, wiggle and sniff, and it pays homage to the myriad wonders of Newfoundland itself.
Author Dwayne LaFitte has produced a beautiful adaptation here, skillfully weaving the sights and sounds of his Newfoundland home into each and every verse and maintaining all the vivacity of the original. Thérèse Cilla’s charming watercolour and ink illutrations are filled with colour and light. Each page radiates a sense of energy and movement, and the sketchy lines lend a soft and whimsical feel to the illustrations. The human and animal faces are simple yet expressive and the landscapes are beautifully rendered. A delightful book to share with young audiences who will revel in the musicality as well as the winsome illustrations.
Over By the Harbour
written by Dwayne LaFitte; illustrated by Thérèse Cilia
$19.95, hardcover, 24 pp.
Flanker Press, May 2014
