Dahlov Ipcar's Farmyard Alphabet, published in December 2010, is Ipcar's first new book in more than two decades and is the artist's first board book. It pairs her fresh, original verses with timeless illustrations from eleven of her books, many of which are out of print.
From apples and barns to vegetables and wood stoves, both the unique text and bold, bright artwork celebrate farm life in Ipcar's inimitable style. Strong proud horses, fat happy pigs and playful kittens will charm toddlers, and Ipcar fans will be delighted to see illustrations from The Wild Whirlwind, Bright Barnyard and Black and White, as well as those from eight other books.
The book came about when Islandport Press publisher Dean Lunt suggested the idea of an alphabet board book to Ipcar as a way to showcase illustrations from her many children's books. She was inspired to once again put pen to paper and wrote all-new original verses, rising, according to Lunt, at 3:30 in the morning with her mind full of ideas.
The artist, who lives on a former farm in Georgetown, Maine, still works and paints almost every day. She continues to have ideas about new projects, including more board books.
