Sunday, March 02, 2008

a special feeling





"A Friend is someone who likes you" - the cover of the book by Joan Walsh Anglund.
I think that is a good rule of thumb for friendship.  Why would you want to be friends with someone who didn't even like you?


This sweet illustration gives me a special feeling and I think of it whenever I read a book.
I have a rule, I never ever say "no" to books for myself or my children.   These books gave me special feelings as a child and to this day I still find them incredibly sweet.  A sweet refuge.


Yes, " love is a special feeling."  Look at these young loves, back in the day when a single flower was all it took to make you feel special.  How about that red dress?  Is she the most gorgeous gal!  I love how she is perched up there, feet off the ground and speechless.   These books make me speechless.


Photo of Joan Walsh Anglund who published more than 90 books.
Look at the aura this artist has!

It was Mary-Laure from AUREA who inspired me to go back in time and remember my first love, my favorite childhood books which gave me a special feeling.  One such very special author and illustrator who made a hugh influence on me is Joan Walsh Anglund.  I was smitten with her illustrations and remember being so inspired to draw her sweet girls.  I would make a wide U then give it hair and bow and two dots for eyes.  (No mouth.)  

 For the longest time, I would go straight to our local library and check out "A friend is someone who likes you" and vow that I would tell them that it was lost, but being the honest citizen, I just had to return it.  Alas, I found it on e-bay and could not be happier.  These books take me back to a time of pure innocence.  A time before 9-11, a time when there was a special feeling of love, trust and goodness.  I want so much for my children to remember happy books and to live in a world of peace.  These little books give me a special feeling of peace all over.  


Look at this charming doll which was produced based upon the character in her books.  She has so much to say but no mouth.  As an artist, I think Joan Walsh Anglund was brave to leave the space wide open.   This brave cowboy was also a memorable story for many of my little boy friends.  I especially love his hat, it gives me a special feeling that he is not only brave but he trusts his style.   He looks "wanted" to me.   Take a look at her sweet books and see if they give you a special feeling.  Thank you Mary-Laure for making me remember my childhood in books.

17 comments:

Lydee said...

I love books, and enjoy hearing what books other people like. Good collection, love the pics!

pve design said...

Lydee-
Thanks for dropping in, hope you all are feeling better-
perhaps these books will help!
Patricia

Kwana said...

What a sweet post. And never saying no to books is a wonderful rule to live by. Books are a gateway to imagination.

cotedetexas said...

Such great memories!!!!! I haven't thought of her in years, thanks for reminding me. Boy - it's like a scent, it takes you back to a certain year, era.

Joni

Miss Cavendish said...

These are indeed sweet books. When my eldest was born, some eight years ago, some Tasha Tudor books with her dear illustrations were reissued and I, of course, love them as much or more than do my children.

I'd love to send you a bespoke tiny cake as a birthday gift. Just let me know what colors and size you like.

The pink cake on my blog is about one inch tall and two inches in diameter; the purple one about 1.5 inches tall and 2.5 inches in diameter.

I look forward to hearing from you! Thanks so much for your kind comments.

pve design said...

oh miss cavendish-
I only learned of tasha tudor a few years ago from a friend and now those are the books I give to babies.
I love her drawings and her style of chronicled illustrations of her own children.
how sweet of you to drop in.
best,
patricia

annechovie said...

Thank you for this great post, Patricia! My mom decorated my nursery with Joan Walsh Anglund prints and dolls when I was a baby! I still have them, packed away in a box for my future children. I have a lot of her books and seeing this post brought back wonderful memories. Tasha Tudor was also a big favorite of mine. Books were a big part of my wonderful childhood. P.S. I am gonna call you this week - I have been so busy!

London Calling said...

Charming, I caught the book bug at age 8. Endeavoring to read each and every Nancy Drew book published. -Thanks for introducing me to these. These books have wonderful illustrations. I think they will make wonderful gifts.

Eileen said...

Where did I grow up??? I never even heard of these books. You'll have to show them to me. They look and sound beautiful!!!

Mary-Laure said...

Aaaaw, THANK you, Patricia, for the shout-out and for allowing me to discover yet another fabulous female artist.
The drawing of the little girl on the big seat with a book on her lap is to die for! I love it!

Anonymous said...

O.K., I grew up with these books too and loved them so much. I loved the Christmas/Holiday one too. I remember wanting to have window seats like they did to sit and draw and dream. Several years ago I found this same volume in French! A perfect combination. I'll send you an image. Very sweet. ~ Maureen

pve design said...

Northstar-
Yes, I knew that these books were published in many other languages. Tres bien!
Love to see it in french!
Merci!
Patricia

Heidi said...

Thanks for stopping by my blog for a visit. I grew up with my face in a book and fondly remember that one (and mimicking her drawings as well!) - the illustrations were key to its message. My girls have "The Golden Treasury of Poetry" that is illustrated by Joan, but now I will have to look for "A friend..." for them. Enjoyed your blog!

katiedid said...

Ah! I had many of her books when I was little. I still have them! I read them to my girls and they are safely tucked away for my future grandchildren. Whast great memories.:)

Alkemie said...

Oh the illustrations and the doll are SO cute! I've never seen these books or dolls before when I was young but I can tell I would have loved them.

Karen

a. said...

I had all her books as a child and that doll too!!!

Susan said...

These books are such a fond memory for me. My first birthday cake was a little girl from her books that looked like me as a child. My Nana cherished each of the books as I do now too. Thank you for the post and inspiring such fabulous memories to now flutter in my head!