7-Imp’s 7 Kicks #511: Featuring Tomi Ungerer
November 27th, 2016 by jules
— From The Three Robbers, originally published in German in 1963
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After it arrived in my mailbox, I may have walked around my living room hugging the book I’m featuring in today’s post. I did. I hugged it hard.
But it’s that good. It is Tomi Ungerer: A Treasury of 8 Books, released last month from Phaidon Press. Included here, as the title tells you, are eight of his previously-released picture books, nestled inside a slipcase, including three well-known titles (The Three Robbers, Moon Man, and Otto); Fog Island, released as recently as 2013 (originally released in 2012 in Germany); and what the publisher calls “lost gems,” which includes some stories being published in this collection for the first time in 50 years — Zeralda’s Ogre, Flix, The Hat, and Emile. All of the stories in this tall collection, which range in publication from 1963 (The Three Robbers) to 2012 (Fog Island), are gloriously reproduced here.
— From Moon Man, originally published in German in 1966
he found the cell empty. The general was furious.”
— From Moon Man
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But there’s more that makes this a must-have for Ungerer fans: An introductory note from Ungerer himself, as well as a “Behind the Scenes” section that closes the book, in which Phaidon’s Maya Gartner (Tomi’s editor) chats with him about each of these books. These chats include sketches and preliminary images from the books (preparatory drawings, storyboards, etc.), as well as (in some cases) reference photos and images that inspired stories. There’s also a biography, as well a short chat with his thoughts on children’s books. Evidently, this is being published to coincide with his 85th birthday on the 28th. (There’s a celebration going on here at Phaidon, in case you have not yet seen it. It’s a series of birthday wishes from other illustrators.)
This is a beautifully designed book (the endpapers even feature sketches) that meets the needs of both die-hard Ungerer fans, as well as those who are coming to his work for the first time. The Times put it best when they wrote, “There is not a dud in the pack – read them all.” Below are some more illustrations.
There’s no one quite like Ungerer, is there?
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— From Fog Island, originally published in German in 2012
(Click to enlarge, and please excuse the vertical line in the middle of the illustration)
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All images reproduced by permission of Phaidon Press.
Note for any new readers: 7-Imp’s 7 Kicks is a weekly meeting ground for taking some time to reflect on Seven(ish) Exceptionally Fabulous, Beautiful, Interesting, Hilarious, or Otherwise Positive Noteworthy Things from the past week, whether book-related or not, that happened to you. New kickers are always welcome.
1) I took an archery lesson yesterday. I LOVED IT.
2) Our Christmas tree is up — and in the new house, which is way more spacious. No more cramming a tree into the living room.
3) I volunteered at Parnassus Books’ Small Business Saturday/IndieNashGiving celebration yesterday and did story time with a friend. There was a big group of ADORABLE CHILDREN there.
4) I finally started watching The Gilmore Girls with my daughters. If I’m Sam Phillips’ biggest fan (and I’ve been a huge fan for nearly 30 years now), it’s kind of a shame I haven’t seen the show yet, since she does the “la la”s. We are enjoying it so far …
5) … and every time I hear Sam strum her guitar or sing “la la” in the background, I whisper “SAM!” to my girls.
6) AND she released a new EP this week! IT IS SO GOOD. Not surprisingly. If you click here and then click on the words “Sam Phillips — Troubles Won’t Stay” at the top there, you will hear a fabulous new song. It may put a smile on your face.
7) Best kick for last: My cousin’s wonderful daughter learned last week that she had a brain tumor; however, not only did surgery take care of it, but it’s also benign. Whew.
What are YOUR kicks this week?
What a treasury to have complete with interesting endpapers. Thanks for sharing Tomi Ungerer with us today.
Jules, I love that Gilmore Girls is resurging. So glad your cousin’s daughter will be okay. I love that you took archery lessons.
My kicks:
1. The whole family was at our house for Thanksgiving.
2. Being home and watching the sky go from dawn to day.
3. Flickers.
4. Mad Men.
5. Continued work in the writing room.
6. Postcards.
7. Fires in the fireplace.
Have a great week.
Oh boy, love these illustrations, especially the living stones and cliffs in Fog Island and the ogre who likes children for breakfast!
Jules – Kick 7 – wow! So happy your cousin’s daughter is ok. You make a great Katniss! When I make it to Nashville we’ll have to compare notes on Gilmore Girls (as well as SOA & all the other shows.) I came to late to GG too & watched it all this past year. I have really enjoyed it but also have thoughts.
Jone – Hooray for a full house for Thanksgiving & a fire in the fireplace.
My quick kicks this week:
1) Volunteered for Feast for SE for Thanksgiving, which was great fun.
2) My homemade twice cooked bourbon sweet potatoes.
3) Finished “Gratitude” by Oliver Sacks. (Thanks to Jules for the recommendation!)
4) A quick trip to Bend last week, gorgeous drive & I got to hang out with an old friend her family, all of whom I adore.
5) Stopping at the Pelton Wildlife Overlook on the drive back. I’d always wanted to check it out but never had, so glad I took the time to stop as it was beautiful.
6) Doing more yoga at home from YouTube (YWA & Tara Stiles) & downloaded Russell Simmons free Meditation Made Simple app. Looking forward to seeing benefits from both.
7) Busy day of work yesterday, capped off by dinner with a good friend, then home to Netflix & chill with sweet, cuddly Daisy.
7.5) Christmas is coming! Wreath is on the door, updated this year with red jingle bells that light up, & mini-tree is also up. Looking forward to getting the full size tree next week & starting Christmas baking.
Have a wonderful week everyone! I am so very thankful for this sweet spot to land every week, & thankful for all of you!
Sounds like you had a great Thanksgiving, Jone. Good to hear.
Rachel, we’ll definitely talk, but at this point, I can’t even imagine when we’ll be done with the series, especially since we watched so much of it this weekend, yet we’re still not even done with season one. …. Anyway, what a great week you had! Makes me happy to hear. BOURBON sweet potatoes? Yum.
I’m grateful for you all too!