The Tragically Hip, the legendary, bestselling Canadian band, will release a picture book, THE TRAGICALLY HIP ABC, this October. The Tragically Hip ABC is a love letter to The Hip: an ABC picture book for young music fans that features illustrations from four renowned Canadian illustrators. The book will be available at retailers across North America starting October 24, 2023.
Decades of the band’s hit singles, iconography, and touchstones can be appreciated in a brand-new way: an ABC picture book! From “A is for Ahead by a Century” to “N is for New Orleans is Sinking,” all the way to “Z is for Frozen in My Tracks,” this illustrated ode to the band can be enjoyed by readers of all ages. Featuring art from acclaimed Canadian illustrators Clayton Hanmer, Julia Breckenreid, Bridget George, and Monika Melnychuk, this book will be the perfect gift for fans of The Hip both old and new.
“The promotion of childhood literacy and development are causes close to our collective hearts,” says The Tragically Hip’s guitarist Rob Baker. “This book is a sweet surprise full of gorgeous illustrations. If it can excite some kids about reading, art, nature, or music, then we are delighted and proud.”
“I am so excited to see this idea come to fruition with these four incredible illustrators,” enthuses Drew Macklin, who worked with the band to develop the book’s text. “The joy of reading books to my children along with the love for their music and variety of song titles – what better way to introduce and share one of Canada’s most well-loved bands with future generations?”
“As lifelong fans of The Tragically Hip, we were so excited for the opportunity to celebrate their incredible body of work with this picture book. It was thrilling to work alongside the band and these four talented Canadian illustrators in order to visually bring The Hip’s song titles to life,” say editors Peter Phillips and Samantha Swenson. Tundra Book Group publisher Tara Walker adds, “We hope fellow fans of The Tragically Hip will love this book as much as we do, and we hope it brings young new fans into the fold.”
“Having grown up in rural Ontario, where fifty mission caps and rusty breezes were the norm, The Hip was the soundtrack of my youth. Whenever I hear their music, so many memories come flooding back,” recalls illustrator Clayton Hanmer. “It’s been an honour and a privilege to be part of this project, helping to introduce their work to a new generation.”
Illustrator Julia Breckenreid agrees. “I jumped at the chance to collaborate on a picture book using The Tragically Hip’s song titles. I loved Gord Downie, and the group’s songs are inextricably woven into so many chapters of my life.” She adds, “It also gave me the opportunity to work with my cousin, Monika Melnychuk. How could I say no?”
“The Hip are one of my favourite bands, so I was elated to be asked to contribute illustrations to the book,” says illustrator Bridget George. “It was such a fun process and I can’t wait to add the book to the bedtime rotation for my little one at home. The Hip are so loved across generations and the art inside the book is all so fun, it’s going to be really neat to see families connecting over the book!”
Illustrator Monika Melnychuk agrees: “I never would have imagined, while following The Hip from concert to concert, singing along with Gord at every opportunity, that I would get to work on a children’s book with the band! What a dream project!”
