W is for Winnipeg: A Little Architect's ABC by Rae St. Clair Bridgman

This review first appeared on Reader Views. Read the Reader Views version here.

From Assiniboine Park to Zoo, W is for Winnipeg: A Little Architect’s ABC by Rae St. Clair Bridgman explores both public and private buildings in the Canadian city of Winnipeg. Moving smoothly through the alphabet, Bridgman deftly guides readers young and old through a fascinating city’s architecture. Cleverly, Bridgman has hidden an owl in every picture, and, at the end, gives some details about owls. Finally, W is for Winnipeg ends with information about each building pictured throughout.

W is for Winnipeg is a delightful picture book aimed at infants to six-year-olds. However, I think even some older kids and adults will get a hoot out of this book due to its initial simple introduction and the deeper dive that comes later. Personally, I was especially interested in learning about Thunderbird House. Particularly interesting to me was the legend of the Thunderbird in indigenous peoples’ beliefs, especially in one Ojibwe legend that details Thunderbird “battling a great underwater being, Mishipeshu, the Great Lynx, which has the head and claws of a gigantic cat. And do not forget the “long . . . long . . . very long . . . scaly tail.”

Additionally, regardless of age, readers will appreciate Bridgman’s artwork. Each of the twenty-six buildings displayed in W is for Winnipeg have an accompanying illustration. These pieces of art are whimsical, delicate, and thoughtful. They also contain some variety in style which will keep readers interested throughout. The illustrations that stood out the most to me were those for the John A. Russell Building, Royal Canadian Mint, Thunderbird House, and YWG (Winnipeg Richardson International Airport).

Each decorated page also contains an owl which will help young readers stay engaged throughout the book as they look for the bird almost in a Where’s Waldo style. There are a variety of owls to look for though, so it’s not quite the same, as the owl changes page to page. Sometimes it is only an outline or silhouette of an owl, which can make it a real adventure to find! At the end of the book, Bridgman shares information about all the species of owl that call the province of Manitoba (where Winnipeg is) home.

You can read W is for Winnipeg in a variety of ways. You can read it for its unique way to learn the alphabet. You can read it for the introduction to Winnipeg’s varied architecture—and the history and/or beliefs behind it. You can enjoy it for the splendid artwork. You can even read it to learn about Manitoba’s owls. No matter how you read it, W is for Winnipeg is sure to evoke wonder.

W is for Winnipeg: A Little Architect's ABC by Rae St. Clair Bridgman, FriesenPress