The British Library, an institution based in London, England, has been hosting an Alice in Wonderland exhibit. The curators organized this program to celebrate the 150 year anniversary of the publication of Lewis Carroll’s beloved novel.
Some of the items on display include manuscripts, reviews, and a variety of illustrated editions of the book. The closing date for has been scheduled on Apr. 17, 2016.
Here’s more information from the organization’s website: “Although the story has been adapted, appropriated, re-imagined and re-illustrated since its conception, we are still enchanted by Carroll’s original, much loved story, which continues to inspire new generations of writers and illustrators. Come and see Lewis Carroll’s original manuscript with hand-drawn illustrations, alongside stunning editions by Mervyn Peake, Ralph Steadman, Leonard Weisgard, Arthur Rackham, Salvador Dalí, and others.”
The Golden Egg Book
By Margaret Wise Brown; illustrated by Leonard Weisgard
Calling all grandparents and yes, parents too, that have sweet memories of a very special Golden Book titled The Golden Egg Book, originally published in 1947 and reissued many times since. It’s as traditional as can be and as fresh as a new coat of paint! You can see it in book stores right about now, as its cover is easily recognizable with its cover, a gorgeous beribboned Easter egg, painted with spring flowers and butterflies. Storyteller Margaret Wise Brown, of “Goodnight Moon” fame is here as welcome as the robins in spring, for this is a true classic picture book of nature renewing itself, reappearing year after year to the delight of young readers of a certain age.
Meet the soft brown bunny that, upon discovering a mystifying blue egg, immediately commences “what if” thinking as to what lies inside the mysterious, moving egg. His guesses as to what causes the movement in its INTERIOR runs the gamut from a little boy to a fellow bunny or perhaps an elephant or even a mouse! Experiments begin, as the small bunny alternately pushes the egg with his foot, jumps on top of it, throws nuts at it, rolls it down a hill and even throws a rock at it – but VERY gently, Ms. Wise Brown is quick to emphasize! Listening to the sounds emanating from the egg is HARD work and the hare happens to eventually fall asleep.
Who should pick this opportune moment for an appearance than the downy yellow DUCK that emerges from the blue egg? He too, seeing the bunny fast asleep, wonders, “What is THIS?”
And the same questioning occurs from the duck as from the now sleeping bunny with the exact same methodology and sequence of events!
A final roll down the hill does the trick as the bunny awakens and startled, asks, “Where is my egg?” and “Where did YOU come from.” See how much action you can miss with the briefest of naps!
A softly sweet friendship begins that wipes away the loneliness of both bunny and duck “And no one was ever lonely again.” is a perfect picture book fadeout.
Mr. Weisgard’s illustrations are housed in egg-shaped ovals on each page and springtime reminders surround his oval outlines, of irises, daisies, daffodils, pansies and ferns. They are pastel perfect and very recognizable on this classic cover.
If you are looking for a springtime read to usher in the balmy breezes that accompany new life peeking out everywhere on the landscape, meet a bunny and duck who have lead the way for generations of young readers in Margaret Wise Brown’s Big Golden Book classic called The Golden Egg Book. It’s a perfectly lovely spring opener and just what you need as a great classic read for young picture book readers! “EGG TRA” special!
Hailstones and Halibut Bones
by Mary O'Neill
Illustrated by Leonard Weisgard
Doubleday and Company, Inc., 1961
Hailstones and Halibut Bones is a collection of poems about colors by Mary O'Neill. The poems are not only about how colors look, but also about how colors might feel, sound or smell. This is an excellent book to read to children.
What Makes a bird A BIRD?
by May Garelick
illustrated by Leonard Weisgard
Follett Publishing Co., 1969
Here is another vintage children's book beautifully illustrated by Leonard Weisgard. I wonder if he had any idea how many people would come to love his books, even after he was gone? With every book I see, I appreciate more and more the talent that Weisgard had. Now that spring has sprung, it seems even more appropriate to feature this book now. I hope you enjoy the illustrations and as always, make sure to click on the pics to better view the wonderful artwork of Leonard Weisgard.
Illustration by Leonard Weisgard from The Golden Egg Book by Margaret Wise Brown http://www.leonardweisgard.com/index.htm -- And there's always Flickr
Awww, that's so cute! Thanks for sharing it. I hope you had a great Easter too Julie :)