This is my very first post. I am so excited to begin sharing the wonderful vintage books I have come across, some of them I fell in love with as a little girl, while others I have recently added to my collection. I should start by saying thank you so much for dropping by and I appreciate anyone reading my posts - hopefully overtime I'll get a few people reading my blog; but anyway, I am currently an Australian university student, who intends to complete a teaching degree (in addition to my current course,) I'd love to teach English and History, so I have always had a great appreciation for words and art.
The first book I want to share with you was one I came across a while ago. A friend of mine and I were perusing an old book exchange (I love book exchanges!) when I came across this book. It was only $4.00 and although I had, had a very brief look, I didn't really look at the details until we were on our way home, that's when I began to appreciation the gorgeous illustrations. The Nutcracker by David Walker and published by Moonstone Books in London during 1986.
Growing up, the story of The Nutcracker was always incredibly special to me, I loved the ballet and read the original story all the time. So much so in fact, that I vowed I would become a ballerina, just so I could play Clara on stage (obviously this didn't happen.) David Walker's work seems to capture the sheer essence that is in this Christmas story. He pulls together a narrative; but also includes all the splendor of the ballet.
Something about the above image, just makes me feel as though I am part of the story, I can hear the street organ play, the monkey's chitter-chatter and I can feel the falling snow.
I have looked at so many different versions of this famous story, trying to pinpoint which one is best; but I always come back to feeling that none of them completely do justice to the beautiful ballet. However, I and my future children will cherish. Below I have included other version that I like, either for their illustrations or text - or both!
Once again, thank you for stopping by, I may write another piece today if I get time!
This is the Barbie Enterprise version of The Nutcracker, while I admit as a little girl I loved the film, the illustrations of the book are what speak to me. The book and film released in 2001, do not follow is very loosely based on the original story; but like I said great illustrations!
This version by Susan Jeffers is gorgeous as well, despite it's rather cartoon-ish feel, I love the way she has drawn Clara isn't she cute?
So pretty!
The last one was illustrated by Scott Gustafson and was originally published in 1991. It's really quite breathtaking in an old toyshop kind of way.
Hi there, thanks for visiting my blog and leaving a comment. I will be interested to read about the Johnstone sisters, so will subscribe by email in the hope that I get your updates. I've just stated a bibliography of all their books on my website - this is the link http://www.marchhousebooks.com/?page=shop/disp&pid=page_PookieNew there are something like 200 books listed so far.
ReplyDeleteBarbara
http://marchhousebookscom.blogspot.co.uk/
I've just clicked on subscribe but I think that's only to comments. Is there any other way of following you? Barbara
ReplyDeleteHi Barbara,
DeleteThanks for subscribing. I am not entirely sure whether there is a way you can subscribe to the complete blog, however, I shall email you when I upload to anything Johnstone sister-related! This is all new to me.
Thank you, I will look forward to it. It was all new to me a year or so ago but you soon get used to it.
ReplyDelete