Helen Borten III

 

Helen Borten's 'Copy Cat', originally published in1962, and republished in 2016 by Flying Eye Books. Helen was born in Philadephia, PA in 1930. She attended the Philadephia Museum College of Art for four years. She is a free lance artist and illustrator of 12 children's books, 'Copy Cat' was her sixth, She lives in New York City. 

Copy Cat tells the story of Algernon Longwhisker the Third, a dissatisfied cat who tries to live up to his illustrious forebears by imitating every other animal on the farm. After failing to make a good rooster,  sheep, squirrel, bird, or tree, Copycat that to be loved, he just has to be himself.

Alice and Martin Provensen V

I am back in a terrible habit of collecting children's books, terrible for my bank, but good for you as you get to see the results of my hoarding. Possibly it is good for me to as it means I am ready to leap into projects I have been brewing. I have to say as time goes on these old picture books are vanishing and it is good to document them. Alice and Martin Provensen are favourites and I bought a couple of historic stories they had illustrated recently, starting with one about Robert Louis Stevenson's Atlantic crossing called 'The Voyage of the Ludgate Hill' by Nancy Willard. published in 1987.

The illustrations are painterly but also strangely flat and seem to reflect the stiffness of Victorian society whilst being full of humour.

Barbara Jones II

 

Almost ten years after it's reprint by Little Toller, I now have a copy of 'Twit and Howlet and the Balloon by Barbara Jones', so I can share many more of the wonderful pen drawings.

While the family argue about the colour on the TV little Twit and Howlet are inspired to build a hot air balloon, and after raiding the library for instructions and then the attic and store they manage to utilised a disused cat trap as a basket and make a patchwork balloon.

Then they set off on a great balloon race. . .

and win!

On they're return with the trophy their family are still arguing about the TV picture, in these times it is a reminder of what can be achieved when you remove yourself from distractions. 

Helen Webber I

 

'What Is Sour? and What Is Sweet? a book of opposites by Helen Webber (1928-2019), published in 1967 is a startle of bright clashing and acidic colour, a joy to the eye.

Daniel Montero Galán

 

'Cartas en el Bosqu' written by Susanna Isern and illustrated by Daniel Montero Galán tells the adventures of a badger postman, a solitary and withdrawn character, who is very passionate about his job.

"This story about letters began with our own correspondence; it couldn't have been any other way."

"I decided that the entire narrative should take place over two days and two nights, so I used lighting as a narrative device. I focused on working with the light at each moment so that the passage of time could be perceived. I really enjoy setting myself these challenges, or rules of the game. For each project, I establish fairly strict guidelines, as I believe they lend it logic. Although these may not be entirely noticeable in the final product, and sometimes only exist in my mind, they do give coherence to the development process." Daniel Montero Galán

This book was created using meticulous attention to detail and watercolours, with just minor refinements on the computer.