06.19.2009
Madeleine Floyd
The Captain's Purr by Madeleine Floyd is not a new picture book: it was published in 2003. But when I picked up a second-hand copy the other day, I was reminded of her exquisite illustrations and I felt I ought to remind Babygadget readers, too.
As parents, we all run the risk of our kids getting fixated by books which bore us, or which we even find aesthetically repellent. Bedtime stories are a much more pleasant prospect when both child and adult are happily absorbed in the tale, and we can only increase our chances by stocking up on the books that we admire most. The Captain's Purr is a simple but surprising tale, and if you are like me, you'll enjoy looking at the pictures long after you know the story off by heart.
I was surprised to see that since this book's publication, Floyd has only put out one other, Cold Paws, Warm Heart in 2005. Perhaps that reflects how long it takes to make illustrations in such detail?
Posted by Myf
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books/media
Tags: books cats illustration pictures
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06.11.2009
Charley Harper Coloring Book
All of us at babygadget can't get enough of Charley Harper. Today, I'm traveling to Central America to visit family with all of my kids and I really wish I had tucked a copy of this book in their travel packs. Here's an excerpt form a quote, "When I look at wildlife or nature...I see exciting shapes, color combinations, patterns, textures, fascinating behavior an endless possibilities for making interesting pictures..."--delightful! Hoping to inspire the kiddos on our adventure; lot's to see and take in.
Posted by Gabriela
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books/media
Tags: books coloring books nature
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03.30.2009
Personalized bookplates from Oiseaux
Looking for an unusual present for the baby who has everything? How about these lovely, personalized bookplates? The beautiful, vintage-style plate above is taken from a very old children's hymn book, but the folks at Oiseaux also have nearly 50 other fabulous styles for you to choose from. A match set includes 24, 3" x 3 3/4" bookplates, printed on high-quality, matte paper. Or you can also get a mixed set of blank plates. Here are some more of my favorites.
Posted by Justine
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books/media
Tags: books Etsy paper
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03. 4.2009
Lollipop birth announcement cards
Designer Rachel Le Mesurier has a history in packaging design: hence, perhaps, the ingenious construction of her birth announcement cards, which are made up of 4 panels that 'pop' open when pulled from the envelope. There's also a place to add your baby's photo.
Apparently the designs are printed on thick, luxurious card, just right for conveying one of the happiest messages you'll ever send. Learn more at Lollipop Designs.
Posted by Myf
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books/media
Tags: birth announcements cards letterpress
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03. 2.2009
Okido, illustrated science magazine
School often divides children at an early age into those with an affinity for science, and those who are better at the arts. I certainly experienced this myself, and still struggle with the sciences to this day.
The children's magazine Okido, then, comes as a real breath of fresh air. Exploring the interesting subjects in science that affect our day-to-day lives, it employs a stable of talented illustrators and designers that will surely appeal to all children, cutting across the arts/science spectrum. It's meant for 3-7 year olds.
Sometimes, it takes a child's eye view to remind us that science isn't just a dry subject; it's what helps explain some of the more remarkable and beautiful phenomena all around us. I wish there had something like this when I was sitting, bored, at the back of my Chemistry classes - but maybe it's not too late. If I subscribe to this publication for my daughter, might I reawaken my science nous? Worth a try, surely.
Posted by Myf
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Tags: educational magazines
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01.23.2009
Little Rabbit Lost by Harry Horse
We picked up Little Rabbit Lost by Harry Horse in a charity shop, just by chance, because I liked the look of the illustrations. It was one of those serendipitous finds that has since turned into a firm bedtime favourite.
Bucking the modern trend for graphic shapes and an arch, knowing style, Horse portrays a detailed and beguiling world with plenty of detail for both kids and their parents to point out. A couple of the double-page spreads in this book are truly marvellous, showing the tree-root home of an extensive bunny family, and later, a theme park, complete with carrot speedboats, big wheel and such a rich selection of delights that every child will wish they could be there.
Appealing, also, is the strong moral of the story, which gently tells children not to wander off in busy places, no matter how big they might feel they are. This is one of a series: sadly, it seems Horse died in unusual and extreme circumstances (unlike his stories, utterly unsuitable for your child's ears) in 2007, so what exists of his work is all there is. It's a shocking background to a series of books that portray a beautiful and innocent world, but it hasn't quite put me off buying the rest.
Posted by Myf
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books/media
Tags: books illustration rabbits
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01.22.2009
Sukie travel journal
It's not that long since I highlighted their calendar, but I couldn't let the discovery of Sukie's Junior travel journal go without mention.
Anyone who has been on holiday with children will know how they love to collect postcards, unusual labels, napkins - you name it. If they are also keen diarists, this beautifully-designed volume allows them to collect both their souvenirs, and their impressions, in one place.
Strong pockets are included for the ephemera, while pages alternate between plain and lined, for both drawing and writing. There are even postcards to send to friends, if you don't happen to find any at your destination. For a certain type of kid, this could give you hours of peace and quiet, and it also rather neatly keeps all the souvenirs in one place after your return.
Posted by Myf
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books/media
Tags: design letterpress notebooks travel
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01. 9.2009
Drawing for the Artistically Undiscovered
If you have an under-three, you'll know that kids draw with freedom, unconcerned with accuracy or the 'right' way. Sadly, as adults, we often spend the rest of our lives trying to recapture that childish artistic freedom. And a large proportion of us will go on to say we 'can't draw', when what we mean is that we can't stick to what we perceive to be the rules of things like perspective and shading. Consider again your three year-old: no knowledge of either of these concepts, and turning out a masterpiece a day, no doubt.
Consider also the celebrated illustrator Quentin Blake. His anarchic and spiky style laughs in the face of rules. If there is perspective at play, it's well-hidden - and he's made a career out of it.
His Drawing for the Artistically Undiscovered, half instruction book, half sketchpad, would be a great gift for a child just at the point where those uncertainties are about to step in: perhaps you can stem them all together. It's all about instilling confidence in your child that whatever marks they make can be perfectly valid, but beware: according to the Amazon reviews, this booklet will be snaffled up by the adult members of the family, too. Before you know it, your own pictures will be jostling for fridge-door space with those of your kids. Perhaps two copies, then.
Posted by Myf
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books/media
Tags: books illustration
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01. 8.2009
Sukie perpetual calendar
Sukie operate from a studio in Brighton, UK, just minutes from where I work, and every Christmas they open their doors, along with the others in the building, for a pre-Christmas sale. Every year, their goods just fly off the shelves: not reduced in price, but simply irresistible.
This perpetual calendar, with turning wheels for day, date, month and weather, is a very good example of their individual style: the colours, the recycled cardstock, and the fact that you're highly unlikely to see anything else like it in the shops - all make it highly covetable. Oh, and good news: there's no need to buy it before January 1st. It's perpetual.
Posted by Myf
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Tags: calendars recycling uk
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12.30.2008
Bridget Fidget: retro style; modern book
We've been enjoying Bridget Fidget by Joe Berger as a bedtime story just recently in our house. It's one of those rare books where a child can enjoy the story, while the adult can take in the finer subtleties of the illustrational style - which in this case owes a big debt to the groovy colourways and designs of the fifties.
Those who read British newspaper the Guardian may be interested to know that Berger honed his style, in part, during the weekly strip The Pitchers,featuring a couple of wannabe writers fabricating ever-more ludicrous ideas in the hope of getting commissioned. Some of that ludicrousness is evident in Bridget Fidget: in the world of children's picturebooks, of course, that's a welcome thing.
Posted by Myf
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books/media
Tags: books illustration retro
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