# wenyigeng autumninart artlovers artinspiration mondaymood autumn nonfiction earlyreaderbook ladybirdbook procreate digitalart digitalillustration portrait artistsontwitter art myart

is by Armin Greder for The Island (2002). A powerful parable about mistrust, gossip, fake news, fear, lies, rumour & blame - triggered by the arrival of a refugee. Sums up 2018 to me, alas. An important book. I hope 2019 brings better things for us all!

51 184
2018-12-31

its by Ursula Moray Williams for her "The Good Little Christmas Tree" (1943). Best known for Gobbolino, Williams also wrote this Christmas classic & illustrated it too, in bold, graphic images, using scissors! Later editions were in black/red only.

55 183
2018-12-23

is by Molly Brett for "Robin finds Christmas" (1960). Gentle, charming watercolour illustrations that even in the 60s looked appealingly nostalgic, and which proved hugely popular in both her own books and in the blossoming greetings card market.

49 146
2018-12-20

is by Jan Marcin Szancer - one more Nutcracker from 1951 (ETA Hoffmann version). Szanceer was a polish illustrator and set designer. I love the soft sugary, gingerbready, biscuity feel to this gentle, dreamy but bonkers vision of the Land of Sweets!

46 146
2018-12-16

is by Artus Scheiner for Hoffmann's "Nutcracker & the Mouse King" (1924). Here it's Marie, not Clara, carried across a lake of pink lemonade to a marzipan palace, by a tiny nutcracker. The ballet wasn't yet popular; this is the original story...

110 310
2018-12-13

is by Graham Oakley for The Church Mice (1972), a tale about Arthur the mouse and Samson the cat, and part of a popular series. Lots of details for children to pore over in these books...

54 238
2018-11-29

is by Lisbeth Zwerger for her retelling of Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake (trans. Martens, 2002). A typically spare, haunting and surreal interpretation by this extraordinary artist, who says so much with incredible restraint and subtlety. Lunar and liquid...

75 260
2018-11-17

is by for his own story, "Camille and the Sunflowers" (1994), a moving true tale of Vincent van Gogh. Anholt's graceful, dreamlike illustrations are colourful yet melancholy. One of an excellent series about the lives of great artists.

66 209
2018-11-08

is by Maurice Sendak for Alec Wilder's song setting of R.L. Stevenson's "Windy Nights", in "Lullabies & Night Songs" (1965). Stevenson's wild & wonderful words are beautifully matched in Sendak's sweeping line work. A rare & truly favourite book of mine!

50 201
2018-10-28

is by Arnold Lobel (my hero) for Miriam Young's "Miss Suzy" (1964). Was there ever a more adorable, beady eyed little mouse? Line, colour, mood... All combine to perfection. And such character too.

53 248
2018-10-23

is by Boris Artzybasheff for the Russian folk tale The Seven Simeon (1937). Astonishing filigree work that simply dazzles! Elegantly decorative, almost rococo yet with a nod to icons & folk art. Artzybasheff also Illustrated for Time magazine in the 40s.

36 186
2018-10-17

is by Harold Jones for The Old Woman who Lived in a Shoe, from Lavender's Blue (1954). Delicacy, elegance and tradition are beautifully combined to create something very special. One of the great mid 20th C illustrators.

42 187
2018-10-07

is by for 's "Captain Green & the Plastic Scene" (2018), a timely tale on a topic close to my heart. Embullient & colourful illustrations make a difficult theme really accessible. Should be in every school!

28 81
2018-10-04

is by Margaret Bloy Graham for "Harry the Dirty Dog" by Gene Zion (1956). Such an iconic classic, and still as irresistible as ever. I love the muted, limited colour and bold line. Note the little sign in cafe window: "No Dogs"... poor Harry!

129 563
2018-09-26

is by Arnold Lobel for Robert A. Morris's "Seahorse" (1972). A gorgeous about the life cycle of the seahorse. A watery delicacy to the line and wash brings grace, beauty and wonder to these magical creatures of the sea...

41 217
2018-09-25

is by Robert Lumley for Vera Southgate's "The Wolf and the Seven Little Kids" (1969). This illustration fascinated/horrified me as a child. The Wolf has been cut open to free the kids, & mother goat fills him with stones & sews him up!

28 150
2018-09-18

is by Maurice Sendak for Else Homelund Minarik's "Father Bear Comes Home". If there exists a more charming, touching, warm & tender early reader, I have yet to see it. Sendak's masterly line work captures every gesture and emotion... Exquisite.

196 823
2018-08-23

is by Agnes Miller Parker for Spenser's "The Faery Queen" (1953). Born in Scotland, her glorious woodcuts graced a wide variety of material, from natural history to Thomas Hardy. Her skilful use of light and shade creates great drama and elegant shapes.

50 203
2018-08-16