Illustration

Little Gestalten: A new imprint for the kids

 When one of the leading publishers of books on visual culture starts making books for kids you know is going to be good. Introducing Little Gestalten, the new children's book imprint from the noted German publisher Gestalten.  Here's the reasoning and the plan: Nothing fosters children's imaginations better than a book. Good books can help children understand the world and learn a lot about life. They can pique their natural curiosity, impart knowledge, and hearten them to be empathetic or brave.    The world is, of course, already filled with wonderful children’s books. Still, there are always new and surprisingly different stories...

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F is for Fantods: Edward Gorey as Publisher

The latest exhibition at Edward Gorey House, F is for Fantods,  focuses on the books Gorey published himself under the banner of the Fantod Press.  Using various anagrams and pseudonyms like Garrod Weedy, Ogdred Weary, Aedwyrd Gore,  and Mrs Regera Dowdy,  Gorey churned out twenty-eight books under the imprint.  "F is for Fantods opens a window onto the restrained, graceful, and frequently hysterical mayhem that was Edward Gorey’s world." Here's a sampling of books from the press: The Beastly Baby. Gorey writing as Odgred Weary, (1962). One of 500 copies illustrated throughout by Gorey in black and white. Possibly his scarcest title.   The Stupid...

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A sampling of David Drummond’s book covers

Designing Fictions by Michael L. Ross David Drummond is book designer and illustrator working out of Elgin, Québec, Canada. He is the founder of Salamander Hill Design, a creative shop that produces posters, book covers, promotional materials, magazine illustration, packaging and identity development for a variety of clients. Here's a selection of his book work: Dog Ear by Jim Johnstone Dead Man's Float by Nicholas Maes Interlinguicity, Internationality and Shakespeare by Michael Saenger Time in Time by Mark Smith Trio by Sarah Tolmie L'Enfance de L'art by Jerome Miniere   Much more at his blog  

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It’s Hug a Book Week!

To celebrate the release of Scott Campbell's new book, Hug Machine, the folks at Simon & Schuster have proclaimed this week Hug A Book Week. Who have YOU hugged today? Open your arms to this delightfully tender, goofy, and sweet tale. Watch out world, here he comes! The Hug Machine! Whether you are big, or small, or square, or long, or spikey, or soft, no one can resist his unbelievable hugs! HUG ACCOMPLISHED!  [youtube]http://youtu.be/RyRmZDyKPQU[/youtube] Now get hugging! Buy: Powell's | Amazon | Publisher

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Dogs Rule: Nonchalantly

For his first book illustrator Mark Ulriksen took to Kickstarter. Somewhat of a dog specialist having "painted dogs for magazines such as The New Yorker, Time, GQ, The Atlantic Monthly, as well as for children's books and people who wanted a portrait of their dog" he was ready to compile his first book about his canine friends. Hoping to raise $25,000 to produce a worthy, well-made book, when all was said and done, Ulriksen raked in over $46,000. All the additional monies are slated to go to the proper marketing and public relations that the book deserves. On why dogs, Ulriksen says: I've...

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