Under a Prairie Sky [Paperback]

Anne Laurel Carter (Author), Alan & Lea Daniel (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2004 | Grade Level: P and up

As a storm looms in the prairie sky, a boy must ride out to find his wayward younger brother, Will. He dons his red serge coat and stetson hat, saddles up and begins the search. "You can't hide from a Mountie," he calls, but Will roams far, eluding him as the storm closes in. The storm threatens, the older boy searches, confident and determined, the younger boy wanders, oblivious to all but his own delight. Through her spare text and attention to detail, Anne Laurel Carter draws the three threads of the story together with characteristic skill. The Daniels' watercolor illustrations do full justice to the prairie landscape and to the children, horses and other creatures that inhabit it. Anne Laurel Carter has always loved horses-her grandfather was a horse trainer. And when she was a little girl, she often had to look after her own active, redheaded younger brother. Anne is the author of the juvenile novel In the Clear (Orca, 2001), nominated for a Silver Birch Award, and the picture book The F Team. Alan and Lea Daniel are the illustrators of many award-winning picturebooks. They based the boys in this story on their two grandsons.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-3-A Canadian boy plans to be a Mountie someday. When he has to find his younger brother before a fierce storm arrives, he has a glimpse of what this life might entail. On his trusty horse, he rides through the fields and valleys until he finds Will catching frogs in a muddy stream. Together they race the storm until they are safely back home. The future Mountie has performed his duty well and, as the day ends, he brushes Bess and checks on his soundly sleeping little brother one more time. Beautiful watercolor illustrations fill the pages as they capture the golden hues of the prairie and the ferocious darkness of the storm. They illuminate the action and provide insight into the lives of the characters in details such as the oil lamps, the water basin for washing, and the tin drinking cup. Some wildlife is also represented, including a prairie dog, a coyote, and a heron. The text has a poetic ring but may be a bit daunting to many young readers and listeners as they try to determine the meanings of stook, coulee, and slough. This is a gentle story, set against a dramatic and interesting backdrop, about an older boy's sense of responsibility and his affection for his younger sibling.
Carol Schene, Taunton Public Schools, MA
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Ages 4-8. With a thunderstorm coming to the Canadian prairie, a boy and his father discover that the boy's younger brother has wandered away. The older boy, who dreams of joining the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, dons a red coat, Stetson hat, blue breeches, and shiny boots and rides off to find his sibling. After much searching, he finally finds the child catching frogs in the slough. The boys race home, pursued by thunder, lightning, and hail. Carter's brief, lyrical text brings the sights and sounds of the Prairie Provinces to life in a way that will help children see the prairie as more than just grass. The attractive watercolors also illuminate the setting--warm, earthy colors for the sunny scenes; violet and navy hues for the storm. The book will be a good choice for reading aloud, especially to youngsters studying Canada or the prairie, and children doing creative writing will appreciate the details and descriptions of the setting. See also Jane Kurtz's Water Hole Waiting (p.1601) for a tale set in the African grassland. Kay Weisman
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Orca Book Publishers (April 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 155143282X
• ISBN-13: 978-1551432823
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7.7 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,425,570 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars GORGEOUS book!, July 26, 2004

By 

J. S Stuart (boston, ma) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Under a Prairie Sky (Hardcover)

The story is simply - a boy rides out to find his brother before a thunderstorm reaches their prairie farm - but oh, the illustrations! Great blue herons, frogs, old rusted plows, and endless prairie grass, all rendered in vibrant realist paintings. It's a gorgeous book.