In the dark and playful tradition of illustrators such as Edward Gorey and Tim Burton, An Alphabet for Lonely Children takes the reader to a place where actions and curious thoughts are less restrained. Soaked with precious images and descriptions, this book offers a visual treat to adults and teaches young children their letters.

Illustrated with haunting pencil drawings, the book presents twenty-six lonely children, each clothed as animals whose name begins with the same letter as the child’s name. Adjacent to each drawing is a description of a typical action by the child and its chosen animal. For example, Bertie is dressed up as a bluebird and “the trampoline in Bertie’s yard had tightly rusted springs that fling her to the heavens.” Bertie jumps on the trampoline to simulate the act of flying, which what is most often used to describe birds.

Full of wonder and with abandonment, the children relish the tiny delicacies of life in a world that is spinning incomprehensibly around them. Confused by outside forces, the children identify with their animal friends, lapsing into their natural primitive tendencies to eat berries and smile, without worrying about their stained mouth and hands.

Flipping through the pages, readers will laugh and reminisce about forgotten games. To be enjoyed by adults and children, An Alphabet for Lonely Children introduces bird and beast, while exploring the imagination of children in context with the world around them. An Alphabet for Lonely Children will reminds us that the divide between human and animal is less distinct than we often think and will invite us to take pleasure in life’s daily queries.

Amanda Church was born in Vancouver, Canada, in 1980. She attended the Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design and graduated with a degree in ceramics. Church has exhibited her work in several galleries in Vancouver and Nelson, Canada. This is her first book.

October 2005
6 x 8 3/8 in., 64 pages, with black and white illustrations
Hardback - ISBN 0-8076-1557-9
$15.95 (Can. $22.50)