WHEN NIGHTS WERE LONG Peter Shostak. Victoria, Yalenka Books, c1982. Distributed by Yalenka Books, Box 4191, Station A, Victoria, B.C.,V8X 3X3. unpaged, cloth, $15.95. ISBN 0-9691180-0-7. Grades 6 and up. Reviewed by Elaine Blakey. Volume 12 Number 3 1984 May When Nights Were Long aptly titles a series of paintings and personal reminiscences of artist Peter Shostak, who grew up in northeastern Alberta in the late forties and early fifties. Evening activities common in the fall and winter are featured in each double spread that contains a short text and a complementary painting. Fondly remembered and illustrated are children's chores, (feeding and watering the pigs, chickens, and cows and bringing water and wood to the house), and play, (Hide-and-seek, snow angels, Fox and Geese), as well as adult community social events such as weddings and Christmas caroling. The paintings are done in shades of blues and blacks suggesting the light of the moon and stars and accentuating the theme of the book: "When Nights Were Long." Peter Shostak received a graduate degree in art education from the University of Alberta in 1969 and was an associate professor of art education at the University of Victoria until 1979 when he left teaching to pursue a career as an artist. This book will have wide appeal, to adults familiar with these childhood activities and to children whose parents and grandparents grew up during this time. Elaine Blakey, Normandeau P. S., Red Deer, AB.