Tired of hearing your precocious young friends exaggerate that NO ONE else in daycare gets Max Jacob and Guillaime Apollinaire? Celebrate the upcoming International Children's Book Day (Apr 2) by reading them Joan Yolleck's lovely debut children's book Paris in the Spring with Picasso, on sale this week. The story unfolds on a Saturday as people anticipate the evening salon in Stein and Toklas's apartment. Readers meet Apollinaire and Marie Laurencian, Max Jacob, Picasso and his girlfriend Fernande, and the dog Frika. Sprinkled with a few easy French phrases, the text also namechecks Parisian highlights Luxembourg Garden, 27 rue de Fleurus, Lapin Agile, Notre Dame, and the Circus Medrano.
Yolleck's story shows Gertrude and Alice (who is described as her "best friend," though they call each other "birdie" and "lovie") content in domestic bliss -- reading, preparing party food, fixing flowers -- before, while, and after their guests join them. Marjorie Priceman's loose, festive drawings are wonderfully inviting. (Don't judge her vivid colors by the washed out sample above.) The book ends with a spread of brief biographies and b&w photos of the five main figures where Toklas is described as "Stein's lifelong companion" and her own talents are championed.
At once more playful and more sophisticated is Jonah Winter's Gertrude is Gertrude is Gertrude is Gertrude, one of six picture books recently chosen for the ALA lgbt Rainbow List. As his title suggests, Winter's work vaguely echoes Stein's writing style. To the glee of a certain kind of child and the outrage of another type, the flap copy warns, "some words may appear, uninvited, but delighted in spite of their lightbulbs. But, but, but, but -- that doesn't make any sense! Yes!" The "simple" text employs artful repetition, often in ascending font sizes, as it focuses on Gertrude and Alice as well as Picasso, Matisse, Hemingway, and the poodle Basket. Abstract in its sense of time, the story shows the couple at home, introduces their famous friends, conveys the excitement of their salon. Surprisingly, it ignores Paris but also depicts their summer days in the country, vegetable gardening, and driving a big pink car. Exactly matching the text's direct indirection and wit, Calef Brown's illustrations are elegant and quirky in a colorful, slightly subdued palette (lost in the quick snaps below).
Both books claim to be for ages 4 to 8, a too-low cut-off for two timeless treasures.
Thank you for these, Stephen. I want them and I'm getting them.
Posted by: Cynthia | March 28, 2010 at 12:45 PM