A Prairie Boy's Summer

A Prairie Boy's Summer has garnered numerous awards since its publication in 1975: A New York Times Outstanding Book of the Year, 1975; A Children's Book Council Showcase Book Award, 1976; Canadian Association of Children's Librarians, Best Illustrated Book, 1976; IODE Book of the Year, 1976; and, also in 1976, the Amelia Frances Howard-Gibbon Illustrator's Award. The original paintings of A Prairie Boy's Summer are on extended loan to the Art Gallery of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario, Canada, from the collections of Hiram Walker & Sons Ltd., Walkersville, Ontario, Canada. Support for the publication of this children's book was received from the Canada Council for the Arts. Financial support was received from the Government of Canada through the Book Publishing Industry Development Program. William Kurelek (1927-1977) was a Canadian realist artist (landscape painter and highly regarded illustrator of children's books) and writer--the eldest of seven children born to Ukrainian immigrant parents in Alberta, Canada. He received an arts degree from the University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, in 1949; studied at the Ontario College of Art; and, at the Instituto Allende in Mexico. In the 1950s, he lived in England, and from 1956 to 1958 had paintings in the Royal Academy Summer Exhibitions. His art and writings were influenced by his Ukrainian-Canadian roots, his childhood on the prairies, and his Roman Catholic religion (he converted from Ukrainian Orthodox in 1957). Since religion was a very real, important part of his life and a source of inspiration for his works, many of his paintings have titles with quotes from Biblical scriptures, and even his initial "W" on his artwork shows a cross. In 1976, he was made a Member of the Order of Canada. When he died a year later, he was Canada's best-known painter. His four children's books received 22 major national and international awards. By the time of his death, Kurelek had produced over 2,000 paintings. His books have been published in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Germany, Austria, Denmark, Finland, Holland and Greenland. Tundra published two additional books since his death: Fox Mykyta, a Ukrainian folk tale, which he illustrated with 72 drawings; and, The Polish Canadians, his series of paintings of the early struggles and courage of that immigrant group. His desire was to paint the history of all of Canada's varied peoples, but he only succeeded in leaving his vision of the Inuit, Poles, French-Canadians, Irish, and Ukrainians, as well as of Christians and Jews. The rock band Van Halen used parts of his painting The Maze (1953) on the cover of their 1981 album, Fair Warning. The Maze is available through libraries. The National Film Board of Canada has put out a video, Kurelek, which is ten minutes in length and touches on the artist/writer's life. Currently in the making is a feature-length documentary film, `William Kurelek: The People's Painter.' It has

It only takes 30 minutes to read this charming book of 20 pictures, with text on the opposite page, but do yourself a favor and savor it longer. Don't expect any plot, theme or character development, yet this gem charms by its honest simplicity, as it celebrates a by-gone era of farming on the Canadian prairie. The famous Canadian author/illustrator has captured the flavor of carefree, rural childhood in the 1930's and preserved it for future generations to discover and enjoy. Kurelek treats each topic with quiet dignity: chores, games, weather, special occasions, and adult life as viewed by irrepressible children. Both text and illustrations are rich in detail. This volume is a companion to his "A PRAIRIE BOY'S WINTER," one of the New York Times' Best Illustrated books of 1973. A relaxing read for those who want to escape the hurried 90's and nestle into a time of agrarian innocence.