For Art and Books and Color, Thank You Joan

This season, I am thankful for Joan Vigliotta.

Why? Because, several years ago, she created a small book group that would focus on illustration in children's literature, a mutual love of each of the members. (And, mostly of course, I am thankful because she is a magnificent human being and treasured friend.)

When our book group meets, Joan offers unto us exquisite tours of heavenly work. Many times, we focus on one illustrator. Other times, we switch course a bit. Every single meeting, thanks to Joan, is rife with untold riches. We have studied the work of Edward Ardizzone, the de Brunhoffs, Anno, Peter Sis, Trina Schart Hyman, M. B. Goffstein, the Dillons...the list goes on and on, and is too wonderful to be able to recount in it's true magnificence. 

[Joan and I became good friends, in large part, through a shared love of the works of - among others - Arthur Rackham and Hilary Knight, M. F. K. Fisher and Maira Kalman...at least, that's my version of the story. Joanie has a better memory than almost anybody, and may remember more...]

So thank you, Joan, for your wonderful vision. Again. And for the priceless moments we have all spent with your magnificent trove of books and pictures and magicthings, surrounded by a wealth of art and love.

For this, I have great gratitude. Many blessings on this holiday, and always.

Hilary Knight and Kay Thompson: "I AM Eloise"

For a bit of fun, check out this wikipedia entry for Kay Thompson, and please please please note the fabuuuulous illustration by Hilary Knight for Vanity Fair.

Above, the nifty munch place @ the Met mentioned in previous post...while we were on the subject of Eloise...

Hats off, always, to Hilary...the master. 

Looks like our magnificent 

Mr. Knight will be at Books of Wonder 

on November 13...oh, to be in the Big Apple on that day! 

If you are--in the big A.--don't miss it: 

Hilary Knight is a treasure and a wonder...

an American Legend, methinks. Cheers!

what is art.books.children?

Art.books.children is interested in 

children's books and art, 

& the people who write, illustrate, 

and care about these things.

Like you, for instance.

We like to think about the best art in 

the children's book world,

and where the children's book world is going. 

If you're reading this on the web, 

guess where we think a lot of it is going?

There's no attempt, whatsoever, at this time,

to include anyone other than great authors and illustrators

and thinkers,

and stuff,

and a few other things we think 

might appeal to you, because... 

as Eloise knows:

getting bored 

is not 

allowed.

...have those smart people come out of the room yet?

"If you could change any aspect of children's publishing what would it be?"

"Returns, without a doubt.

I believe that some day 

some very smart people 

are going to lock themselves in a room

and figure out 

how to eliminate the monumental waste

 brought on by returns."  

Doug Whiteman, of Penguin Young Readers Group, on childrensillustrators.com (c. 2004?) 

Just stumbled upon this quote, and think that it may--still--be pertinent.  Which seems a little odd, in this day and age.  Do you suppose a locked room would really work?  Has it?  I wonder.

{Illustration, above, is the magical "Eloise," by the marvelous Hilary Knight.}