By Kevin Plummer

It’s not surprising that artist Charles Pachter’s quirky take on iconic Canadian imagery has found its way into a children’s book. It’s more surprising that it’s taken this long for his fun and seemingly kid-friendly artwork to make its way there. M is for Moose (Cormorant Books, 2008) takes a trip through the alphabet accompanied by some of the most famous images from the Toronto artist’s portfolio—including the Hockey Knights in Canada that adorns College Station—as well as some specially created images. The moose is a recurring character—what else would be expected from an artist who named his Toronto workspace Moose Factory?—as are butter tarts, the Queen, and writers such as Margaret Laurence and Margaret Atwood.
Having developed his fascination with how Canada is defined—by its history, literature, wildlife, and multicultural identity—as a child, Pachter was pushed to create his art as a reaction to encounters with profs who dismissed the importance of the country’s symbols. “So,” Pachter explains in the book’s afterword, “I began to draw, paint, and make prints in which I wanted to make Canada look cool, elegant, interesting, even ‘glamourous.’” The insightful afterword is just one of the novel extras that allow the book to be enjoyed beyond the pictures alone. In addition, there are butter tart recipes, games to play while re-reading the book, and background notes on the historical characters depicted.
Pachter’s career and artwork have been an enduring love-letter to this country. M is for Moose continues that legacy, giving his fans a chance to pass his patriotic passion on to their children and grandchildren.
Charles Pachter’s Tour de Force II (1987) courtesy of Cormorant Books.