“Prairie Days” celebrates prairie of author’s youth

Prairie Days

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

Micha Archer illustrated “The Wise Fool,” “Lola’s Fandango,” and “Prairie Days,” and wrote and illustrated “Daniel Finds a Poem.” Working in collage and oil, her use of color and pattern is influenced by the folk art, crafts, and architecture of the countries she has visited and lived in. She realized the importance of the book as a teaching tool after teaching kindergarten and raising two children. Micha divides her time between Costa Rica and western Massachusetts, where she lives in the house she and her husband built, surrounded by gardens and forest to roam in.