So, Julie Morstad is pretty wonderful...I mean, her work is. I know lots of you applets are fans.
She did the beautiful drawings for Neko-my-love-Case's most recent record sleeve, and some sweet little bird tipped me off about the children's book she illustrated, called When You Were Small, which I now own and am in love with. It is a little-ish book with a little story about a boy named Henry (my most favorite boy-name, p.s.) who asks his father repeatedly "Tell me about when I was small". His dad seems to be a very creative sort with a wonderful imagination, and he regales Henry with tales of just how small he was.
It is simply one of the most quietly, perfectly-spare but lovely little picture books I have ever seen. The book's design is clean but sweet and library-like, and the drawings are charming and fragile-looking vignettes. The words are matter-of-fact in this wonderful, whimsical way.
Again, I'm smitten with the endpapers:
See how delicate and perfect?
At first I thought that the "thread" illustration was clearly my favorite...but now I think the "sleeping in a slipper" might be...
And, speaking of little things, in my studio right now is my new, blue, tiny chair:
I had been on the lookout for a tiny chair for quite a while and this one seemed like the one for me. Although, one can never have too many miniature chairs...
Happy Weekend, sweet peas.
Go nestle in a slipper
or
take a bath in a teapot.
Comments (17)
OH Emily that is so cute,I am just smitten by those illustrations!I collect childrensbooks myself and would buy this one in a heartbeat!One of my favorite illustrators is Lisbeth Zwerger.I have almost every book she ever made.
Have a great weekend sweetie!
xoxo Desirée
Desirée · February 04, 2007 at 03:29 AM
PS I love the wee chair too
xoxo
Desirée · February 04, 2007 at 03:30 AM
Very lovely picture of the tiny chair. I love the light coming through. It really made me think about the scale.
Katie · February 04, 2007 at 09:53 AM
That's a beautiful book -- the illustrations are so elegant, they seem like something that would inspire Wes Anderson to put them in a movie like "The Royal Tenenbaums."
That tiny chair reminds me of a little chair that I had when I was small, with a robin painted on it.
I love the color of your studio, too...
Telfair D. · February 04, 2007 at 10:25 AM
i too love this book! so good to see someone else adoring it!
i was pleased to find another aimee bender fan too:)))
off to have a bath in a teapot, or at least a suitably sized cup.
lou x
artandghosts · February 04, 2007 at 10:39 AM
I am in deep smit with that hexagon and flower rug (?) under your tiny chair. Delicious!
Anne · February 04, 2007 at 11:59 AM
Julie Morstad's work does a balance dance that plays with your brain cells, well at least mine...I love the girl roping swans, especially because the main story my Grandma used to tell me was about boys being turned into swans...Will have to ask her about it again. Also, the picture of your chair is so intense. It could be published for sure!
A Fanciful Twist · February 04, 2007 at 12:15 PM
The image of his jumping into the teapot reminds me of "In the Night Kitchen" by Maurice Sendak.
Nicole · February 04, 2007 at 12:33 PM
that book has been on my wishlist for many many months. i´ve resisted buying picture book while living in ecuador (except for some great spanish ones i´ve found) as everything i have here i will soon need to bring back...but soon. are you aware the atelier gallery is about to release a series of morstand prints?
risa · February 04, 2007 at 01:10 PM
Those illustrations are BEAUTIFUL!! Another favourite illustrator of mine is Lisbeth Zwerger...I think you'd like her!
kirsten · February 04, 2007 at 04:56 PM
OH! That's it. I'm outta here. I hear thrift stores calling my name!
I LOVE LOVE LOVE the wall behind your blue chair. The colors together! OH MY GOD! so beautiful.
thanks Sweetie ;-)
Amy · February 04, 2007 at 06:58 PM
Thanks Emily, I love a good children's book recommendation. This looks lovely. And, I would adore taking a tub in a teacup.
tiffany · February 04, 2007 at 08:54 PM
Oh and I forgot to say that when you posted about Alice in Wonderland sometime back it reminded me to get that book for a certain immaginative child that I adore and she really loves it! Thanks! There are quite a few wonderful editions out there and the one I found was hardcover parragon publishing and has color illustrations on every page. That makes it really fun.
tiffany · February 04, 2007 at 08:57 PM
Ooh, I want to wear a thimble for a hat! Thanks for sharing these wonderful illustrations. I must get that book for my collection.
Megan · February 04, 2007 at 10:39 PM
Actually some of the illustrations from When You Were Small remind me of your work, the style and the striped tshirt.
oh and obviously unintentional but your review of Pan's Labyrinth was the straw that broke the camel's back in terms of me going to see it. It was wonderful, an instant classic I thought. Though I'm so glad I was aware of the graphic parts that you mentioned so I could curl into my husband's arm when they happened.
Nicole · February 04, 2007 at 10:59 PM
As well as releasing prints, Atelier Gallery is having a show of new Julie Morstad drawings at the end of February - they will probably be posted to their website.
Another lovely post Emily.
baroness · February 05, 2007 at 02:36 AM
Hi Emily - Thanks for giving us such a great notice on your blog.
I'm enjoying reading my way through your site - so many pretties to look at!
I've added a link to your post to the book blog at http://w-y-w-s.blogspot.com
Take care, S.
Sara O'Leary · February 05, 2007 at 08:47 AM