This is my favorite Christmas book. It has been since I was young enough (though not a child, I now realize) to appreciate the cozy expertise of J.P. Miller's warm illustrations. I have here a copy somewhere (or perhaps I gave it to my daughter for her daughter - can't remember) but if I should stumble across another copy at some garage sale, I'd snatch it up.
I know it's probably available in a new Golden Books edition, but it wouldn't be the same. J.P. Miller, an early animator for Walt Disney, was another brilliant illustrator in an era when great artwork and childrens' books were synonymous. When it comes to Christmas, nobody made it more fun than Miller did in this wonderful book.
All I have to do is look at these illustrations and suddenly I'm a kid again.
To read an appreciation of Miller, his life and work, please use this link.
To learn about Miller's use of color, please use this link.
Since this is Friday Forgotten Book Day, don't forget to check in at Todd Mason's blog, SWEET FREEDOM. He is collecting and posting the links today for Patti Nase Abbott who is on leave for the holidays. Todd will be doing this good deed for the next couple of weeks.
Those *are* striking illustrations...I wonder if I ever had this, but suspect I didn't (and perhaps read someone else's copy...or my copy might've been destroyed in the flooding of my family's house in 1967, when I was not yet three...).
ReplyDeleteThat's the trick of Miller's work, it always does look familiar somehow. There's just something about it that resonates with the kid in all of us. I love his work...well, you kind of knew that.
ReplyDeleteHi Yvette! I've been trying to follow you posts, but am unable to leave comments very often - darned computer demons! This is a lovely trip back to the past - I remember those illustrations! Wonderful! Merry Christmas to you, a favorite writer and friend!
ReplyDeleteWhat a pleasant post!
ReplyDeleteAnd as this will probably be my last blog round before our Christmas, I´ll wish you a merry Christmas.
It's okay, Becky. I knew you were having computer woes - been there, done that. :)
ReplyDeleteA Very Merry Christmas to you and your family, Becky - we'll chat more in the New Year. Here's to a great one.
And here's to hope for your computer. :)
The same to you, Dorte. Here's to a Wonderful Christmas and Fabulous New Year!
ReplyDeleteOh, Yvette, I love it. I have some of my old Golden Books, and planned to write about one of them this month, but haven't gotten to it. Christmas in the Country.
ReplyDeleteI love it too! My daughter came by the house and scooped up several of the Golden Books I'd been keeping since she was a child. It's funny how these little inexpensive books hold such happy memories for us.
ReplyDeleteSo many terrific artists worked for Golden in their heyday.
And I've finally remembered why these illos look so familiar...I joined the Doubleday Book Club in 1975, aged ten, and among the four books (or five) I took as an initial (10c? $1) incentive was A TREASURY OF LITTLE GOLDEN BOOKS, an oversized paperback anthology of many of their titles, which I bought in part out of nostalgia for my 4yo self's adventures in learning to read (hey, it had been more than half my lifetime ago) but in larger part for the benefit of my younger brother, then four years of age himself. I don't see how this volume wouldn't've been among those included.
ReplyDeleteYvette: Thanks for the lovely Christmas theme. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteI am happily sitting in front of our fireplace with a nice relaxing woodfire to keep my company as I wander blogs.
The illustrations are wonderful! Reminds me of some of my childhood favourites. I am sure I would have loved this book as a child. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI wanted to pop by and wish you a very happy Christmas, Yvette. I've enjoyed your blogs all year, as well as your lovely painting I won this past summer. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteTodd: I'm sure this was part of your book deal. :) J.P. Miller's work was everywhere in those days. I've always loved his illustrations. Young or old. :)
ReplyDeleteBill: You're welcome. Lucky you to have a fireplace that roars. :)
ReplyDeleteLove the image.
Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Willow: Oh, I'm sure of it too. It's the kind of thing that's hard NOT to love. Know what I mean?
ReplyDeleteMiller illustrated happy cheer better than just about anyone.
I'm so glad you did 'pop in', Joan.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas to you and your family.
We have gorgeous weather here so far...
Lovely! The illustrations are very warm and cozy. I'll have to keep an eye out for a copy of this for any future children!
ReplyDeleteOh, this is such a special treat of a book, Lauren. I hope you find a copy. :)
ReplyDeleteI have this Golden Book! I bought many Golden Books for my children and saved them all. Miller's illustrations remind me a bit of Richard Scarry's illustrations.
ReplyDeleteI love all the Golden Books. The pictures bring me back.
ReplyDeleteThis is a beautiful book, the illustrations are superb.
ReplyDeleteI'll try to find the book.
At what age do you think a child could appreciate it?
Pat: I'm so glad I saved some of my daughter's books as well. She's happy now to have them for her daughter. Golden Books were really special.
ReplyDeleteYes, there is a slight resemblance between Scarry and Miller. But Miller was the finer artist. (In my opinion.) :)
Santa brought my granddaughter an anthology of Richard Scarry's stories and one of another Golden Book alumni, Eloise Wilkins. Remember her work?
That artwork stayed with us, Ryan.
ReplyDeleteThat's what good artwork is all about, I think. :)
Kathy, I'd say any child from the age of three on up. Of course, smaller children seem to enjoy the pictures without needing to know the details. It's really a fairly simple book.
ReplyDeleteI hope you find a copy.