From Library Lion by Michelle Knudsen, illustrated by Kevin Hawkes. Despite my love of paper mail and this book, I am glad that the Brooklyn Public Library switched to email notifications a few years back. Much more efficient than exploiting all those lions.
From the 1978 children’s book, A House Is a House for Me, by Mary Ann Hoberman, illustrated by Betty Fraser. One of my favorites.
From Miroslav Sasek’s beautiful 1960 children’s book, This is New York.
This week my son came home from school with the book, Postman Pete, written by Val Marshall and Bronwyn Tester, illustrated by Marjory Gardner. A bicycle riding postman? Well all right!
And while we’re thinking about mail as a medium for the expression of love, Valentine’s Day is 2 weeks away. Get crafting! Your friends, neighbors, and family will be so grateful!
Hurricane Sandy gave us quite a fright. Here in New York City we’re all in a bit of shock. The damage to homes, businesses, and trees is immense. Many are without electricity and schools and subways are closed. Here’s a little distraction from all the very real scariness, an illustration from the children’s book “One Witch” by Laura Leuck, illustrated by S.D. Schindler.
From “Linda’s Air Mail Letter” written by Norman Bell and illustrated by Patricia Villemain. The idea of mailing a letter by throwing it out the window makes my son crack up!
Earlier this year I wrote about re-discovering the book, Arm in Arm by the children’s book author/illustrator, dancer, and choreographer Remy Charlip. Well he passed away this month at the age of 83.
In his New York Times obituary I learned that one of his playful ways of collaborating was “airmail dance.” He would send a set of drawings of dance poses by post to other dance companies and have them put the poses together with their own choreography.
Remy Charlip, I adore you. Thanks for gracing us with your wit and creativity.
Viva Remy Charlip!
From One Was Johnny by Maurice Sendak, 1962.
Since reading one zillion books to my kids, I have become very interested in children’s book illustration. There is so much good stuff out there! And then there are the books that make my eyes bleed.
Here’s my first offering in a new entry category called Illustration. It’s a detail from the cover of Remy Charlip‘s 1969 book, Arm in Arm, which I had as a child. I guess it left a lasting impression on my subconscious because I had been drawing things coming out of envelopes for months before re-discovering this book at my mom’s house in December. Remy Charlip, consider me a fan.
