The Tragically Hip ABC

Canada’s musical sweethearts, The Tragically Hip, enter the children’s picture book world with this playful ABC book focused on their music and fans. Each letter refers to one of the band’s popular song titles (i.e. “A is for Ahead By A Century”) and features illustrations of Canadian scenes populated by anthropomorphized animals in family and friend groups, enjoying the outdoors all year round. Following the alphabet, a page is dedicated to explaining the cultural significance and success of The Tragically Hip.

The book’s images are provided by four separate Canadian illustrators, each responsible for drawing 5-7 pages (and letters of the alphabet). Clayton Hanmer, whose work will be familiar to those who participated in previous TD Summer Reading Challenges, kicks the book off with his friendly and fluid depictions of an animal family’s adventures. Julia Breckenreid’s illustrations follow and represent a more impressionistic, abstract style with a watercolor-like palette. Bridget George continues with more realistic but still friendly and inviting characters exploring summery backgrounds. Monika Melnychuk finishes the book with her quirky, detailed depictions of anthropomorphized animals decked out in both fabulous summer fits and bulky winter essentials.

For adult fans of the band, The Tragically Hip ABC provides fun Easter eggs and an approachable introduction to their music for child readers, an introduction that is firmly rooted in Canadian life.