Written by Patricia MacLachlan and illustrated by
Micha Archer
Margaret K McElderry Books, Simon &
Schuster, 2020
“Prairie Days” is a
beautifully illustrated picture book about author Patricia MacLachlan's memories of growing
up on a prairie farm. The images wonderfully bring the prairie to life in
vibrant colors.
Illustrator Micha
Archer’s beautiful two-page images are created with acrylics, inks, and collage.
She uses origami, tissue paper, and patterned papers made with homemade stamps.
“Where I was born,
there was a sky so big, there was no end of it,” writes MacLachlan.
The author remembers the
smell of wild roses when she lay in the fields, the funny-sounding names of
nearby towns, and getting cold drinks from lift-top tanks at filling stations.
She remembers prairie
birds, the farm horses, farm dogs and worker dogs who herded the cattle and
sheep.
She remembers lying
in the grain in a wagon, swimming in the farm pond, and going into town with
Mama and Papa.
When the day was
over, she and her siblings played kick the can in the road until it got dark. They
kept playing until their parents came out to bring them to bed.
In bed, she read
under the quilt with a flashlight.
MacLachlan’s story is
gentle and nostalgic, but the best thing about this book is the imagery.
Children will enjoy finding many small details in the beautiful illustrations.
About the
Author
Patricia MacLachlan Patricia MacLachlan was born on the prairie, and to this day carries a small bag of prairie dirt with her wherever she goes to remind her of what she knew first. She is the author of many well-loved novels and picture books, including “Sarah, Plain and Tall,” winner of the Newbery Medal; its sequels, “Skylark” and “Caleb's Story;” and “Three Names,” illustrated by Mike Wimmer. She lives in western Massachusetts.
About the
Illustrator
