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| from The Hinky Pink, illustrated by Brian Floca |
I can just hear your whoops of delight at my latest finds.
The first treasure:
Adele and Simon by Barbara McClintock
There are so many reasons to love Barbara McClintock's illustrations in this hide and seek book.
It's about a forgetful boy and his exasperated sister who journey through the streets of Paris.
We get to see essential sights of Paris in such an old Masters, classic way.
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| Barbara McClintock |
I love the muted colors, the spirit, the intricate details that pull the reader into the book.
My tiny sample clippings don't even do it justice.
This is a drool-worthy book.
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| Barbara McClintock |
The general publishing world must agree, as Barbara McClintock's done a second Adele and Simon book, Adele and Simon in America, and is working on a third, Adele and Simon in China.
Here is my second treasure:
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| Brian Floca |
The Hinky Pink, written by Megan McDonald (author of Judy Moody and Stink books),
and illustrated by Brian Floca (of the Poppy series).
This story is spunky and clever, a fairytale with the right amount of twist.
The illustrations are light, lovely, and playful, and they capture Italy in such a charming way that I want to live there in Brian Floca's illustrations. I really do.
The words and pictures are perfect.
I love this book.
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| Brian Floca |
It's all in the packaging, you see.
It's why I need just the right mug to hold my coffee.
Styrofoam cup coffee tastes weak and gristy.
Gristy (that's coffee gristle, the kind you wish you hadn't swallowed. or chewed.)
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| Brian Floca |
I'm a sucker for a well-packaged book.
When choosing library books for the kids,
I hunt for nice design, clever art,
restrained word count, and uniqueness.
As a writer, books are not just my reading pleasure,
they are a responsibility.
I need to trumpet
great authors and illustrators
so their books can be discovered and loved.
What induces you to choose a book?
Is it the cover?
the reviews?
the jacket flap?
the illustrations?
Here is one more golden find:
This insanely clever Peter and the Wolf paper puppet show, offered as a download
by illustrator Sarah Jane Wright:
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| Sarah Jane Wright |
Thank you, Sarah Jane Wright, Barbara McClintock, Megan McDonald and Brian Floca!
Gorgeous work!
3 comments:
These are LOVELY and I think I'll get the first one about Paris for my grandkids - I work above a children's bookstore. How dangerous is that?
by the by dear person...I just re-hung the lovely map hearts you sent me lo those many years ago!
They're back hanging in my old office, where I am hanging about too...(my home office not the one above a book store!)
Jan Morrison
What treasures! I'm in love with the art even from here. The map of Florence is just how I like to picture that wonderful city and so are the other drawings of Italy and Paris. And I love the puppet theater's feeling of stepping into the tale. I feel transported by all this art. Thank you.
As for how I pick books, it varies, but sometimes it is the art. I certainly did pick picture books for my daughter based on wondrous art, but I also bought Laini Taylor's Lips Touch in part for Jim DiBartolo's fabulous drawings. (I already loved Laini's storytelling from her fairy books)
I can't imagine working above a children's bookstore. I would be sorely tempted every day!
I'm so glad I have you in my blog life, Jan! I'm happy the hearts still bring you delight.
Tricia, I agree with you about Jim DiBartolo's art. It draws you in, doesn't it? Have you heard about Laini's new book, "Daughter of Smoke and Bone"? It sounds exciting!
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