Saturday, December 22, 2012

Christmas Painting Saturday



Okay, so nostalgia ain't what it used to be, but I still find it very soothing. This is a book cover, but I couldn't find the actual art online. This is THE Christmas book for those of us of a certain age and our children if we were lucky enough to have a copy to share with them.

Just looking at the wonderful cover art makes me nostalgic and all over misty for Christmases of the past when I was a kid growing up in the city. The cover instantly brings all holiday good things to vivid life for me.

Christmas in New York was a very special part of my childhood and this book, written by Dorothy Hall Smith in collaboration with illustrator Gertrude Elliott Espenscheid, instantly transports me back even if it is not set in any specific location.

I love Gertrude's work though there isn't much of it to find online - it is a bit reminiscent of Tibor Gergely's (you're familiar with his style if you are familiar at all with Golden books of the fifties), but has its own unique charm. This particular book consists of short pieces, poems and familiar Christmas tales, nothing earth-shattering, everything just right.

Filled with gentle illustrations to treasure, THE TALL BOOK OF CHRISTMAS is just plain wonderful.

4 comments:

  1. Well, I'm in a certain age :)
    But every year - just one or two days before Christmas - I feel like a child. So, your xmas posts suited me very well!!!!
    And the link to you tube - just perfect! Love 'little' silly things, animation Christmas tales, and - apart from the old fairy tale books - what could be better than Walt Disney!

    Thank you, Yvette, for a lovely Xmas present!
    xxxkarin

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  2. You're very welcome, Karin and thanks again so much for stopping by all the way from France. :)

    I can't help feeling like a kid myself at Christmas.

    I'm glad you enjoyed the cartoon.

    Hugs,
    Yvette

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  3. I don't know if I've ever seen this book. I'm thinking I'm missing out on something now.

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  4. Ryan, I go overboard with affection for it because it was such a part of mine and my daughter's growing up.

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