Aurelius Battaglia I

'Captain Kangaroo's read-aloud book', illustrated by  Aurelius Battaglia (1910-1984), text by various authors, published in 1962 by Random House.

The illustrations are both fun and comforting in their soft textured palette and have great shapes and line. Aurelius was born to Italian émigrés in Washington DC, he trained at   the Corcoran School of the Arts and Design. He worked as a muralist and cartoonist before moving west and working for Walt Disney as an animator on Dumbo, Pinocchio and Fantasia. 

Celestino Piatti IV

The golden apple : a story', by Max Bolliger, illustrated by Celestino Piatti, published in 1970 by Atheneum. Where animals in the forest gather to wait and claim a golden apple. 

A squirrel comes through the tree tops, dislodges the apple and it falls.

The animals fight over it and then leave bruised.

Celestino's style is very like some of his contemporaries like Fernand Léger for example in his use of line. It would have made extraordinary stained glass windows. 

Jam Dong III

 

An apocalyptic parade by Jam Dong, where she is inspired by 'The Lantern of Hokusai (see below). Happy Halloween.

Lori Rudolph II

 

An old one, but beautiful as ever from Lori Rudolph. 

Kosuke Ajiro.

 

Kosuke Ajiro's painting Mythology.

Janet McCaffery II

'The Witch of Hissing Hill' written by Mary Calhoun and illustrated by Janet McCaffery, published in 1964 is a delight of a book just look at those end papers! It has a bold bright collage simmple print style style throughout and just wonderful illustrations. 

Adrennie Adams II

The Littlest Witch' written by Massey, Jeanne illustrated by Adrennie Adams (1906-2002) and Published in 1959. A new witch struggles with her witchy skills and role in this beautiful book.