As the green grass begins to shoot up through the brown, I am begin to feel the tug of warm sun filled adventures up ahead. Everything appears to be getting brighter and more inviting. Which means it is getting harder to sit at my desk and get my work done (I think I might have a little spring fever?) Luckily I found an absolutely delightful book that seems to bring the brightness of that spring sunshine right inside. This book of course is Henri's Walk to Paris.
Written by Leonore Klein the words tell a tale of home and adventure, and the surprisingly small a distance between the two. Yet it for me (while I do love the story), it is the incredibly vivid artistry of graphic designer Saul Bass that really carries the book. Bass was an brilliant graphic designer that created some of the most iconic brands we still see today, yet this was the only children's book he ever did.
Simple shapes and bright colors bring the story to life in a style that is a hallmark of 1950's and 60's design work.
This sense of simplicity and clarity create a platform for Henri's grand journey as he sets off from his small village, to the city of light.
Along the journey Henri's stops to rest a bit, leaving a marker so he knows which way to go when he wakes up, but a sweet little twist turns the whole journey around, and Henri finds that the world outside his village gates is really not so different from the little white house he calls home.
Out of print for decades, the return of this timeless story, along with the incredible illustrations of Bass is a much needed passport out of the gray of winter and into the light of spring.
We love this book so much, we can't think of anything better than to share a copy with you!
For a chance to win a copy of this book and the fairy, simply leave a comment on this post by 8am MST Thursday March 29th. The winners will be chosen by random number and announced later that day.
Good luck everyone!
~Jordan
*Last time in Books and Stories: Postcards
