this week's library book
I'm a big fan of Leo Lionni, and I remember so many of his books from when I was a kid. But I didn't know that Mr. Lionni was an ad man.. and a graphic designer (running his own studio for 20 years).. and the art director for Fortune magazine.. and an accordion player.. and the editor of Print.. and could speak five languages.
Of course he was a graphic designer.. his books always seem to be more about the pictures than the words. I think that's why children love them so much. Even my little ones who can't quite read can figure out the story, and after hearing it once or twice, can sit and "read" his books. (Especially this one, which is short and pretty simple.)
His first children's book was created as a distraction for his grandchildren during a boring train trip.. I can see him with his notepad drawing on the train, making the story up as it goes along while his grandchildren laugh and watch. It was the story of a little blue dot and a little yellow dot.. Little Blue and Little Yellow.
Little blue and little yellow are best friends. Little yellow lives with mama and papa yellow, and little blue lives across the street with his parents, mama blue and papa blue.
Little blue and little yellow go to school together, where they sit in neat rows. After school they run and jump with their friends.
One day while they are out playing, they hug each other and become.. green!
When they go back home, their parents don't recognize them. "You are not little yellow, you are not little blue.. you are green!" Which makes them so sad they cry and cry until they are a puddle of blue and yellow tears. Then they pull themselves together and run home to their families.
A clever little book told in simple shapes and words.. it even has lovely endpapers. (A good graphic designer never forgets the details!)
You can read more about Mr. Lionni here, an essay written by his granddaughter.
03.4.2009
Reader Comments (37)
Hi. I pass by your blog every now and then for a little mental retreat. I had to comment, because I LOVE Leo Lionni books and my favorite of all time is Swimmy. It's nice to know a little more about him, too, so thank you for sharing.
I know it. My son read it a few years ago from the library ! So great for kids.
my mom has collected children's books for as long as i can remember - but i must say, i haven't seen thing one in the collection. i can't wait to buy it for her! i love your library posts as well. :) i just love your blog.
this is one of my littles most favorite books
:)
this is so sweet!
I would try reading some books by Kevin Henkes with your children. They have little ones that come in a pack that are very nurturing for beginning readers (like your son).
I also read A Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats to my first grade students last week and that one never gets old (especially if you want to remind your kids of snow)
that is one of our favorite books! we started reading it when my 5 year old was 2 1/2 and have been enjoying it ever since! thanks for the essay link.
I love that book, and you are so right about the endpapers. Love is in the details, as they say.
If you haven't already, you should check out "is your mama a Llama" by Debra Guarino...when i was a preschool teacher, I would read books to my kids (3 &4) before naptime everyday and they HAD to listen to this one everytime...course it helps if you read it in funny voices...lol..but it's a great book...
this is such a sweet story. i love that. and i love the chubby little child arms reading it!!! :) so sweet.
My mom saved my copy of Little Blue Little Yellow, and now I read it to my own sons, ages 4 and 5. The book's seen better days, but it still delights. So glad you devoted a blog post to it!
i love kidsbooks! this is one i would like to have myself.
teen girls sex vidoes porns
sex 2csexonlinevideos
http://madsngentry.blog.com
nice post keep it up love it
Makar Sankranti Messages in Marathi,
Makar Sankranti Messages im Hindi,
Makar Sankranti Messages SMS,
Makar Sankranti Messages Message,
Happy Makar Sankranti,
nice kid
Pongal Festiva
great post
happy pongal