`A is for Americas’ a fine alphabet book

A IS FOR THE AMERICAS written by Cynthia Chin-Lee and Terri de la Pena, illustrated by Enrique O. Sanchez, 1999, Orchard Books, New York, 32 pages, hardcover, $15.95.

Children’s literature is evolving at the speed of light. And no genre within it has been transformed more magnificently than the once lowly alphabet book.

In my childhood, alphabet books were strictly the property of the kindergarten-first grade crowd. Almost invariably they began with “A is for apple.” Too often they were marred by corny rhymes and prosaic illustrations.

Today’s alphabet books can be used with pupils ranging from preschool to the intermediate grades. Even adults can learn from these volumes. Each specializes in a knowledge field — dinosaurs, fishes, insects — and offers a wide range of information with a succinct presentation. The illustrations are elegant and original.

One of the finest contemporary alphabet books is “A is for the Americas” by Cynthia Chin-Lee and Terri de la Pena, a true celebration of the 35 countries and 13 dependencies that constitute North, Central and South America and the Caribbean. Maine artist Enrique O. Sanchez’s vibrant illustrations bring each concept gloriously to life. From the cover’s majestic totem — so realistic you expect to feel its wood grain — to the pastel mist of Niagara Falls, each painting is meant to be savored.

“D is for El Dia de los Muertos, Day of the Dead,” a day of remembrance and celebration. Cemeteries are decorated and families pray for the souls of their deceased loved ones and eat favorite foods. In the illustration’s background a field of candles flickers in the dusk. A little boy holding a skull mask peers mischievously over his shoulder at two approaching friends. A younger child, wide-eyed, clasping his hands together, cuddles up as close as he can to his big brother’s comforting presence.

“I is for Igloo” and “K is for Kayak” give glimpses into the traditional way of life of the Inuit. The background’s stark lines and palette of blues, pale purple, and white — in vivid contrast to the browns of the fur-clad humans and their dogs — deliver a palpable feeling of chill even on a muggy September afternoon and give the reader a genuine respect for those rugged individuals who have struggled to survive in such a harsh and unforgiving environment.

“P” and “Q” offer a fascinating juxtaposition. Purples and blues dominate the depiction of Los Posadas, a traditional Mexican pre-Christmas celebration. Eagerly smiling, softly contoured children swing at a pinata. In the opposing drawing, the brilliant blue and green feathers of the quetzal, a tropical bird highly prized by the Toltec people, stand out dramatically against a brown and yellow pyramid scene. In that painting, a somber, strikingly angular figure enacts ancient rites.

My personal favorite is the ocelot, “night hunter of the forest.” Not only the texture of its fur, but the contour of its muscles are discernible in this cat that all but springs off the page. Alert, intelligent eyes seem to gaze back at the reader.

Vibrance, energy, and motion are integral aspects of Sanchez’s paintings. This talented artist grew up in the Dominican Republic. With a highly supportive family including a museum curator father and a piano teacher mother, it’s no wonder that he developed strong interests in art, architecture and music.

After studying art and architecture in Santa Domingo, Sanchez traveled to New York where the hustle and bustle of the Big Apple proved too much for a young man from “a little small place.” He regained his prized peace and quiet when he moved to Maine.

Sanchez found special challenges in illustrating “A is for the Americas.” “Most of the books I have illustrated have a story line in which each picture is related to the others in content, likeness and color. In “A is for the Americas,” all the paintings are vastly different from one another, and I used a different palette for each painting. I wanted each picture to have its own mood, to tell its own story, and to sustain a level of excitement until the last picture.”

Sanchez would like readers to become aware of the rich diversity of cultures in the Americas. “I never realized there was so much variety,” he said.

A Spanish language edition makes “A is for the Americas” a valuable teaching tool for Spanish teachers. The rich combination of linguistics and culture will greatly enhance the learning experience for students of all ages.