I've been thinking of Tomi Ungerer today. I love his work. His children's books were unique, just like him. Years ago I read his autobiography, Tomi: A Childhood Under the Nazis, which was fascinating.
Of course, I don't know that much about many of today's current children's writers and illustrators, but I'd be surprised if any of them were quite as colorful and original as he was. He was one of a kind.
Which is not meant to denigrate current artists. There are so many beautiful, splendid books. But some seem more earnest and serious than his were. Perhaps it's a generational thing. Picture books, like any art, are always growing and changing, and his books are from a different era.
I've been thinking that Molly, my eldest granddaughter, a kindergartner, would appreciate reading some. The Three Robbers is still available at our library (when it reopens after the pandemic), but I will have to buy a copy of The Beast of Monsieur Racine. I think that book will suit her imagination very well. I see that it is available on bookshop.org - yay!
My daughter has been reading the Laura Ingalls Wilder books to her while school is out. Molly has taken to putting on a bonnet and walking around the backyard many times, to relive the two and a half mile walk Laura took before she went to school. I wonder what it will be like for Molly when school finally starts again, and if she will be able to complete her year of kindergarten. Of course I miss her and her sisters terribly, and her cousin, my one year old granddaughter, Annabelle. I hope I can visit them soon.
Meanwhile, I'll be here, reading, writing, and visiting old friends by phone, online, and in the pages of books.
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