Children's author and local philanthropist, Jo Bannatyne-Cugnet, is celebrating the 20th anniversary of the publication of her first book, 'A Prairie Alphabet'. She and illustrator Yvette Moore have been continually enjoying the book's success throughout the past 20 years and, just recently, the two ladies were honoured with the inclusion of their book in the 2012 Time Capsule at the Provincial Legislative Building, not to be opened until the year 2112.
Cugnet originally wrote the book for her own four children. She wanted there to be a book for them, about the life they lived on the farm. However, the book wasn't only for her children - Cugnet had always considered 'A Prairie Alphabet' to be a book that filled a niche. It just 'needed to be'.
"I do think that the book will be important because it represents our period of time here on the prairies and the life that we lived and that we were proud of the place we called home," she said. "This is our life."
At the time of its first publication in 1992, having been turned down by Canadian publishers for twelve years, 'A Prairie Alphabet' was an astounding success, becoming a best seller and an instant classic.
"If I go into a classroom," said Cugnet, "and I have a little guy tell me that it's his favourite book, what could be better than that?"
Jo Bannatyne-Cugnet will be reading her book to the children at Story Time at Weyburn Public Library on the afternoon of November 2.
The library will also be hosting the author, joined by Yvette Moore, for an evening of discussion and celebration entitled, "Thanks for the Memories" in the Allie Griffin Art Gallery and Auditorium from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Although the library will be closed, the Allie Griffin will be open for the event.
Newly-released 20th anniversary hard cover editions of 'A Prairie Alphabet' will be available for purchase and autographs that night.
Cugnet laughingly noted that Moore's feedback upon seeing the new hard cover books was that they looked the same as the first ones, adding the remark, "the only thing that's gotten old is you and me."
The book even has the same price tag as it did 20 years ago, but the production costs are much more expensive now than they were back then. Costly or not, even in the age of digital books, most people still want to hold a book in their hands. According to Cugnet, the time capsule proved that books are far from obsolete.
"They could have put it in a digital format," she said. "But they couldn't guarantee that people could handle that format a hundred years from now. They did know they could handle a picture book."
The wonderful thing about the time capsule is that it ensures the book's legacy. Cugnet noted that both she and Moore have enjoyed far more than their 15 minutes of fame.
"I really love the idea that a hundred years from now, someone will look at something that I wrote," she said, adding that she does wonder what the world will be like one hundred years from now.
Cugnet said that she is happy that Yvette Moore will also be recognized as a Canadian artist, well into the future. Moore, who has her own art gallery in Moose Jaw, will also have some of the original paintings from the book on display during the November 2 celebration.
Cugnet said that she and Moore are both very grateful for the success, as well as the many adventures they have each had because of 'A Prairie Alphabet'.
The author and illustrator are looking forward to sharing 20-plus years worth of their stories. Cugnet said she hopes to pay tribute to those who have shown such tremendous support from the very beginning of her writing career, including the very special attention given to her all those years ago by the librarian Marlene Yurkowski, whom she hopes will be able to attend the event.
"There have been many honours and experiences that have happened to both of us as a result of this book," said Cugnet. "It's been a real blessing. But we always brag that we have the best sales force than anybody does, because we've got the whole province of Saskatchewan! People bought the book and they sent it all over the world."
The public is welcome to attend, 'Thanks for the Memories' on November 2 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on the lower level at the Weyburn Public Library.
