Hopalong Hollow....

Hopalong Hollow, where the Blueberries grow sweet, and the moss feels soft beneath your feet.

Saturday, June 29, 2013

Who says you can't judge a book by it's cover??

      Being an illustrator and  a collector of storybooks, I make it a point to study the book covers of my favorites. I believe the most important piece of illustration for any type of book is the Jacket, but this is especially true for a Storybook.What makes for a great book cover?  It not only requires artistic talent but a real sense of design. I scrutinize the books in my vast collection of nearly 300 storybooks, many dating from the early 1900's, in an effort to discover what exactly it is that makes these book covers wonderful.
  The book covers below all have that special something that makes you want to delve into the the book and discover what delightful treasures await.

The artists from top to right are: Laurel Long, Maggie Kneen, Jill Barklem, Valerie Greeley and Cecily Mary Barker
In my opinion a successful book jacket must accomplish the following feat:
Capture the viewers attention and entice them to come in, explore further, read on.
 Valerie Greeley is  an artist who's gorgeous  book cover ' The Acorns Story, (ABOVE) is a 'preview of coming attractions'. as well as a pictorial  reflection of the Books title.As you enter the world of this book, you  are not disappointed, as it is filled with rich and sumptuous paintings, such as the page below.. Lush and lovely illustrations on every page, just what I want to see!
Smashing!
http://acornmoon.blogspot.com/ 
THIS is what I believe: The artwork in a story book should be marvelous. There are many STYLES of marvelous, from the sweet simplicity of   E.H. Shepard's. "Winnie the Pooh" to the lavish extravagance of Lynn Bywaters. I realize it is a matter of taste.
    I tend to love  detailed and superabundant illustrations in a book.
 One of my favorite set of books is the Brambley Hedge series by Artist Jill Barklem.
 Her book Jackets are always perfect, and a wonderful indication of the happiness that awaits when you "step inside".

 You simply cannot believe the remarkable abundance of teeny tiny detail in every painting, made especially extraordinary seeing as her pages are only 6 inches wide and 7 inches tall!
http://www.bramblyhedge.co.uk/
I believe the artwork in a book should capture the imagination and set it ablaze with wonder!
 Do you remember the books of your early childhood? I remember the entrancing pictures in the few books we had, and would spend hours pouring over each one. It didn't matter that I could not yet read, I didn't need to, the artist provided me with a bounty of images set upon the paper in an atmosphere of wondrous colors and  visual treats. We often talk about the "gift of reading", and reading IS  a gift, as the written word is so precious, but I wish more emphasis would be put upon the artistic content of a book. Storybooks are a child's first introduction to art, AND Storybooks are NOT just for kids. Why not make a point of  sharing  with your little ones, rich and beautiful illustrations that are timeless? There are SO many beautiful books. Unfortunately, we are also bombarded by books with unattractive, unimaginative pictures and told by book reviewers, critics and the Caldecott committee that their choices are "Superior Illustration" . POOH ON THAT!  If you do not believe me, go to Amazon and look at SOME of the recent winners of the Caldecott Award, it is a disgrace and an indication of the "dumbing down" of our society.  Just as Picasso's "modern art" was foisted upon the public as so-called genius, so it is, sometimes,  with Children's book art. Sorry for the rant, but this is a real pet peeve of mine, as a collector of beautiful illustration AND as an  artist. I protest mediocre art winning major Illustration Awards!  
Especially when there are glorious books like these below...
 The artists for these book are: Michael Hague, Helen Ward, Tim Haglin,  Jamichael Henterly, Maurice Sendak ( who actually has won a Caldecott) and Kit Williams.
I vote we return to the Golden Age of Book Illustration. 
And so, in ending, I just want to thank all the artists that take the time to create the most interesting , fun and joyful illustration for generations to enjoy. These are the books that stand the test of time.
(Excluding Dr Seuss, who's books have been around a very long time. But I have a confession to make, even as a kid, I thought the pictures were "very odd".)
 Now, tell me, what do you look for when searching out a Story book? 

36 comments:

  1. Bravo Jeri! Very well said...
    Oh my, so many beautiful artists here, and so many of my favorites! Jill Barklem has to be one of my favorites! All the artists you have shared are top of line illustrators.. These books tell a story with the illustrations alone, the words are just the icing on the cake.
    Your books, my friend, are at the very top of my list..
    I am curious, I must go take a look at the Caldecott awards..
    Thank you so much for sharing these wonderful books!
    fondly,
    Penny

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    1. Penny, you will scratch your head in bewilderment when you go to Amazon and see that of which I speak.

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    2. Jeri, Oh dear. Went to Amazon to take a peek... Still scratching my head. Bewilderment is right.

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  2. Jeri, I so agree! I adore looking at the beautiful artwork as all the tiny details bring out the wonder and whimsy and the pure delight in my heart. Your paintings are delightful. I also love Susan Wheeler's artwork. Storybooks are not just for children.

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    1. Mary, I too love Susan Wheeler, her work is charming and I am pretty sure I have one of her Christmas books.

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  3. hello,

    it was wonderful to read your thoughts and see the books that catch your attention and heart.

    i love story books for their art, i don't even need to read the words often. one of my all time favorite's is: A Fairy Went a Marketing by Rose Fyleman, love her illustrations as well as the story. of course there are more: Dorothy Lathrop, Adrienne Segur, Sulamith Wulfing. They all have an element of magic in their art, what we can sense they offer in the images.

    again thank you for this sharing.

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  4. Tammy, I agree with all your choices, wonderful. I had never heard of Adrienne Segur, so I looked her up, Fantastic!

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  6. Thank you so much for sharing this. I wholeheartedly agree! I, too, vote that we return to the Golden Age of Book Illustration. I feel the same way regarding acting today. Gone is the artistry of Ben Hur and the likes there of. Or of musicals involving beautiful acting, dancing and singing (sorry, my little rant). A "dumbing down" of our society is an accurate assessment. I love books and they are so important to the development of the imagination and of wonder. I love Beatrix Potter! And when I first came across your blog, I was astounded here too. Truly a feast and delight for the imagination...thank you!

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    1. I'm with you on the movie bit. My husband and i have started watching the old black and white film noir of the 1940's and 50's in the evenings. Everything from the cars, clothing,the morals, the humor, it is just wonderful! Oh, and Beatrix Potter is my favorite illustrator of all time, i raised my kids on those little books!

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  7. Jeri - In my fifties, I began collecting children's books for their art work. I can sit for hours and look at the pictures and now share them with my grandchildren. Some of my favorites are Jan Brett, Dahlov Ipcar and Gail de Marcken (The Quiltmakers Gift). I had not seen yours until I "discovered" your website and I LOVE your illustrations. I bought your books to share with my grandchildren and they love them also. Excellent illustrations like yours are priceless. Sharon

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    1. Sharon, Jan Brett is one of the best! It was her work that inspired me to start illustrating books 8 years ago.

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  8. I love this post!... and now I have a few more books to search for.... It is the cover of the storybook that draws me in... if i love the art that's all it takes~ I have a weakness for wonderful art. I love details, like the way you create for example! :))) Jill Barklem, Beatrix Potter ~ Just delicious! :))))

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    1. Melody, i just knew you were a book collector!

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  9. You make some excellent points-and I loved your ranting-what you said is true...Thank you for showcasing such lovely art. I will look up some of these books. I still love children's books, and can't wait to have grandchildren to share this world of books!

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    1. My goosies send your goosies a hearty honk honk!

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  10. Good morning dear and wonderful friend,

    I SO AGREE WITH YOU! I DO! As for what society elevates to being GREAT, I too have my opinions, and though I am a minimalist, I will forever admire the DETAIL that master artists have WORKED HARD to achieve. When I see "blob-like" characters with NO DEPTH that make it to the publishers, or when a book with shallow content as well as line drawings "MAKE IT", I spit. I really do. My path is no where near ever illustrating for childrens' books, or even writing them like I once thought, for I do have scruples! And when there are artists like the above you mention AND someone like you, who have put hours of painstaking observation of nature, loving hours of sketching and painting, it breaks my heart that these artists are never recognized as justly as they should.

    One of my favorite POETS made a quote that can be embraced by both poet and illustrator/painter:

    "Poetry [and now GOOD art] is the last form of uncorrupted art because it has no market value." - touché. He has a point. That which the market demands ON DEMAND and sells on demand is not always TRUE ART. So there it is for me....I am continuing to practice the craft of poetry writing because like what ballet is to dance, poetry make you FIT to write in many more genres with the grace and flexibility of a dancer trained in the classics of ballet.

    Dance on, draw on, and I'm with ya when it comes to book covers. They are the first thing we see and upon closing, the last impression.

    LOVE YA JERI LANDERS! Anita

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    1. Anita, what an excellent quote, it is absolutely true. Art has been so corrupted, but, so far, poetry remains pure (cross your fingers, it can still be ruined) I happen to adore your art, as i said, there are many styles of 'marvelous'.

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  11. Jeri, well, how do I put this? I not an elegant writer (unlike you) but th covers and all the illustrations draw me in to another world. Feeling safe, happy and comforted from the illustrations just wrap around and transport me to another world. There is too much 'bad' all around us, reading and traveling thru the pages of great books is a wonderful escape.
    The Hollow offers me an enchanting world that transport me from the ugly city of everyday life. Ive been building a large library for those 'grandchildren to come' in the meantime, they entertain me. lvu, Deborah Rogers Mercy

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    1. That is the beauty of a good book, it draws you in and cuddles you tight!

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  12. It is the cover, definitely, and I must admit, I still go into the children's book section at Barnes and Noble.

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    1. and you have a lovely little grand daughter to share them with!

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  13. I totally agree with you. Illustrations help build the immagination and takes the reader into the story. When my great nieces were born I started them on Cicely Mary Berker's fairy book series with their wonderful, immaginative illustrations. For each girls birthday this year they are receiving a framed fairy by C. M. Barker. At the first gift given in May, upon opening her present, my great niece kissed the picture and smiled! I think she approves! Patty/BC

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  14. That's exactly what I bought my 2 great nieces for Christmas, a boxed set of all Mary Cecily Barkers books. What good taste we have!

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  15. Jeri - I love the artists you have selected. Those books certainly will and do stand the test of time. I think perhaps you need to include yourself as well. I think your art and eye for detail is stunning my dear one. I know I certainly enjoy seeing your lovely illustrations. Have a great day.

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  16. JERI LANDERS! Yes, that was good old Chester with his peanut that you saw! That Penny always enchants us, doesn't she?

    I am on my little break (but true, I can't stay away for long!) but I had to put up a post addressing this crazy transition that is happening tomorrow with Google Reader (I don't even think I have it) so just to let readers know I am on Bloglovin'....but back to the writing table for me now. I am working on a draft of a poem for our poetry class, but I'm also going to be in California starting this Wednesday! How I'll pump out a decent poem during my stay there is making me a bit anxious!

    Have a great week my friend! Anita

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  17. You really think so Jeri? I thought her eyes were a bit dull. I was thinking of going back and seeing what I could do with them, but after reading your comment maybe I will leave them alone. It is always nice to have a sounding board. Thank you.

    This is such a great post Jeri...

    Question... Did you not have a photo of Sophia on your sidebar?
    I see Beatrix, but not Sophia...
    Enjoy your evening....
    fondly,
    Penny


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  18. I agree, to me the illustrations are the jewelry - and it should be stunning!

    Oh, I love Brambley Hedge, while I didn't buy the books, I did buy four sets of the Winter, Spring, Summer, Autumn bone china tea sets ~ one set for each of my lovely nieces!

    Have a wonderful week!

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  19. Jeri, you have included so many of my favourite books, thank you so much for including "The Acorn's Story". Your work is worthy of inclusion in such a collection alongside Cicely Mary and Jill Barklem. The tide turned in children's books with the advent of discounting and the loss of independent bookshops which resulted in the decline of highly illustrated books because of costs.

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  20. Oh Jeri...you are speaking to my heart! I treasure richly illustrated books...and yours are right up there with the masters!! Your work is absolutely amazing and stunning....
    I must say, my taste in art runs the gamut, but work like yours simply puts me in a state of awe...makes me want to live in those pages!!
    Can't wait to see that cover...
    Blessings,
    - Irina

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  21. I agree with you 110%! I'm appalled at some of the awards that have come out recently for storybook illustration. I think that is why I enjoy your work so much, I recognize it from before - the true art form that it is meant to be.

    When I looked at storybooks, the story was always secondary to me. Because really? If you didn't like the story, but the pictures were fabulous, you could always make your own story up to go with it. Which is what I often did. I loved all my storybooks. One of them even inspired me towards art (One Unicorn, by Gale Cooper - although it's been panned as one of the worst storybooks for illustration, as a 6-yr-old all those colors and images just lit me up.) They didn't have to be perfect, they enthralled me anyway and started me off on learning how to draw. I spent countless hours with it, trying to make my hands work, to capture a face, or a curve of a line. It wasn't my only inspiration as an artist, but it was a major one.

    Your work is absolutely amazing, Jeri. And I mean that sincerely, as someone who always takes the time to flip through a storybook. :)

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  22. What wonderful reading and you are so right. The jackets on the books are like magnets that draw your attention to the books. These are gorgeous. Such a wonderful post.
    I wanted to ask, how are your new peahens and how are the boys?
    Did you have a nice Fourth? I love your Fionna. She's a beauty.
    Take care and,
    Happy Fourth,
    Marie Antoinette

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  23. Jeri, dear...
    Here I am, at long last! These days have been exhausting and overwhelming and joyful and stressful and rewarding...all at once! We now have full custody of our little Phia and life here at the cottage has finally come to a workable routine. I am able to have time now to get back to my passion...a coloring book in the works and a new book about this little charge of ours, for she truly is a living breathing storybook character!

    I was thrilled to see your earlier post regarding the completion of the last illustration...and your gardens, OHHH! Be still my heart! Made me long for another visit...

    Please know you have remained in my thoughts, you and James, and that life will find some semblance of order.

    Much love and blessings on your completion of this lovely, lovely new book. Phia will LOVE it!

    Always your kindred,
    Christie

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  24. Hi Jeri,
    I am so happy you enjoyed ol Harold.... I think I got a bit carried away with his size.. He kept growing and growing!
    Thank you so much for your encouraging words, they are truly appreciated..
    Sheep on wheels? What a grand idea! This could be fun..
    Enjoy your week, dear friend.
    fondly,
    Penny

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  25. Dear Cousin Jeri,

    We love detailed storybook art! 'Tis the art, colour, and detail that catches our eye and caught our attention as children. We like to see such outstanding art rewarded! Your artwork is wonderful!

    Your cousins,
    Diane, daughter Sarah, and Tillie Tinkham the seamstress mouse at the Corgyncombe Courant

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  26. I have a great collection of children's books that I bought as much for the art work as for the story. My son loves Steven Kellogg's work - it is what got him interested in reading. I do agree that the Caldecott Award has failed dramatically in recent years - too sad.

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