Good Night, Good Night, Victoria Beach

Any child or adult who has visited Victoria Beach, which is located on the southeastern shores of Lake Winnipeg, or other beaches in Manitoba, will be transported to the sights and unique memories associated with that experience as they read Good Night, Good Night, Victoria Beach. Inspired by a half-white, half-brown jackrabbit spotted at dusk after a first snowfall, Winnipeg author and illustrator Rae St. Clair Bridgman weaves this furry character throughout the book by cleverly incorporating it into the delightful illustrations.

The alphabet is presented four times in Good Night, Good Night, Victoria Beach, once for each of the seasons, beginning in Spring. Readers are alphabetically introduced to ‘beach’ things, such a “O is for outhouse, a getaway!”; “P is for puddles… puddles plus play.” Throughout each season, animals, birds, activities, food and special times and places are highlighted and described through each letter. Those familiar with Victoria Beach will relate to the mention of the gate, Elk Island, the General store, the Village Green Bakery with its dream cookies and the assortment of furry creatures, insects and birds found near the cottages and throughout the area. All beachgoers will enjoy references to games like Kick the Can, Scrabble, I Spy, Xs and Os in the sand, racing home before a rainstorm and, of course, ice cream treats.

What adds to the appeal of Good Night, Good Night, Victoria Beach is the whimsy captured in the pen and ink and pan pastel illustrations. They engage even the youngest child. Variation in the pictures from the simplicity of the osprey, the humour of frogs playing tennis, the fantasy surrounding the quilt and the ever present, but not always visible, jack rabbit draws the reader into the page. Together, the alphabet letter, the word and the illustration create an experience. The repetition of the “XOXOXO - hugs and kisses just for you.”; “Y is for one, yawn… or even two.”; and “Z is for ZZZzzz…. Sweet dreams, sleep tight Good night, good night!” at the end of each of the four seasons adds a cohesive touch to the book.

Good Night, Good Night, Victoria Beach will delight readers of all generations. Although the book features just Victoria Beach, its contents offer so many connections to beach and cottage experiences that everyone can be captured by the magic of this alphabetical journey. The contents also are a great springboard between child and adult to come up with other ‘beach’ words for each letter, words that are meaningful to them. And by showcasing Victoria Beach in each of the four seasons, summer beachgoers might want to try a new seasonal adventure.