2.29.2012

Internet problems, I'm taking a trip...



Sorry for the lack of posting, had problems with the internet most of this week and I'm getting very tired of it. So I guess it's good timing that my husband and I are getting away for a long weekend. (Unfortunately it won't be a long vacation like Mr. and Mrs. Bumba) I will be back next week with hopefully no internet problems and mucho posting. Hope you have a good week. :>)

2.26.2012

March Comes in Like a...

What is the saying about March? Doe it come in like a lion and go out like a lamb or come in like a lamb and go out like a lion? I can never remember. Any way,
with March almost upon us, here are some lions and lambs to entertain you.



From my post of The Happy Lion



Images via Etsy seller sosovintage




Jim Harris draws a mean, mean mountain lion












Image via openlibrary


2.24.2012

Chester Cricket's Pigeon Ride, Garth Williams

Here are some very nice pen and ink illustrations by Garth Williams from Chester Cricket's Pigeon Ridefirst published in 1981.








Chester Cricket's Pigeon Ride
By George Selden
Pictures by Garth Williams
A Sunburst Book, 2001

2.23.2012

Vintage Mystery Book



Today's vintage children's book is a bit of a mystery, to me at least. I purchased it at my local library book sale. The illustrations are very good and look to be watercolor or gouache. I'm guessing this book is Chinese or Korean, but since I can't read either one of those languages, I can't say. It also looks to be a war time book. Any thoughts on that? Any information to enlighten us as to the origins of this little paper book would be most welcome.


My apologies for the lapse in posting, I have been very hard at work on a wedding invitation for my niece.











2.16.2012

Hudden and Dudden and Donald O'Neary, Doris Burn

Recently I did a post on a book illustrated by Doris Burn, Christina Katerina and The Box. I came across another book illustrated by Burn, (that I forgot I had) while looking for a book to post today called Hudden and Dudden and Donald O'Neary. 


This story is about about two greedy farmers who want to steal a cow and land away from a penniless man named Donald O'Neary. But of course, greedy is bad, the poor man out smarts the farmers and though they gloss over it, I believe they drown in the lake. Hooray! (Just kidding) This story was adapted, which leads me to think it's most likely a very old story. 


Burn was in top form for this book. Her illustrations in Hudden and Dudden and Donald O'Neary remind me of The Story of Ferdinand, illustrated by Robert Lawson. Just really well executed pen and ink illustrations with great character development.








Hudden and Dudden and Donald O'Neary
Adapted by Joseph Jacobs
Illustrated by Doris Burn
Coward-McCann, Inc., 1968

2.15.2012

Anno's Alphabet, Mitsumasa Anno

Today's vintage children's book is Anno's Alphabet by Mitsumasa Anno. This unique ABC book is a visual treat full of interesting details with trompe l'oeil paintings and visual puns. Anno's Alphabet was an ALA Notable Children's Book and received the 1975 Boston Globe-Horn Book Award. In 1984 Anno was awarded the Hans Christian Andersen Award for illustration. 








Japanese author and illustrator, Mitsumasa Anno (1926-), has had a very distinguished and highly respected career. His unique and creative illustrations also show his love of science and math and his interest in foreign cultures. His work has been compared to Dutch Artist, M.C. Escher. To read more about Mitsumasa Anno, Click Here.

Anno's Alphabet
By Mitsumasa Anno
Thomas Y. Crowell Co., 1975

2.14.2012

Happy Valentine's Day


Trina Schart Hyman


Adrienne Adams


Joan Walsh Anglund


Jane Brett


Loretta Krupinski


Roger Duvoisin


Leonard Weisgard


Illustrator Feodor Rojankovsky





"There's no mistaking a real book when one meets it. It's like falling in love."
- Christopher Moreley