"...and there are probably no more important things in this world than books..."

via magnificent drawn

LEMONY MAIRA MAIRA LEMONY

It's here! via sweet magnificent Margaret

"Angels walking on the earth."

"Angels walking on the earth. 

Cheribum and seraphim."

Maira Kalman, 

The Principles of Uncertainty

St. Michael, St. John the Baptist, Virgin and Child, 

unknown painter | 16th Century, 

Riva Valdobbia, Vercelli

Abe

maira + abe

4ever

Maira. Lincoln.

Maira. Maira. Maira.

well well well

We here at art.books.children are having a heckuva time trying to upload, to said blog, a few photos that seem to have gone AWOL. 

There is little rhyme to this reason, except for the fact that most of the photos were in a group that was being re-organized by yours truly (not a technical guru, I fear) on picasa. One never knows, do one? 

Well, until we get to the bottom of this and get the photos back up, we leave you with one of our favorites:

Maira Kalman by Rick Meyerowitz. 

What could be better? 

(Actually, if you click either of 

their names, above, your life 

could be infinitely better, truly.)

Thank you, 

The Management.

photo copyright magnificent rick meyerowitz

Maira Kalman and the Wonderful Dream

yep.

illustration from the principles of uncertainty, copyright maira kalman

What's Not to Love?

One of My All-Time Heroes.

(click any word, above: delight)

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.

Maira Kalman, Maira Kalman, Maira Kalman

Just too wonderful, 

too wonderful 

for words.

Here is the TED version of Maira.

Here is Maira at 

the New York 

Public Library, 

via the 

New York Times.

Here is Maira courtesy of 

the Julie Saul Gallery.  Please be sure to look at the exhibits.

If I am in New York, and I am walking down the street, 

and I wear a nice hat, do you think that I might bump into Maira?

 

It would be like bumping into a dream.  

Pretty Pictures and Dream Whip.

  

Maira Kalman, Maira Kalman, Maira Kalman.