Benji Davies

Roger Duvoisin (1904–1980) was born in Geneva, Switzerland, and in 1927, moved to New York for a job in textile design. When the company folded, he decided to publish a book he’d written and illustrated for his son. A Little Boy Drawing (Charles Scribner’s Sons) was released in 1932, and he followed it with Donkey, Donkey, which firmly established his career in children’s books—and is still in print, now from NYR Children’s Collection. Roger’s signature style was colourful, bold, and graphic, and he had a strong sense of composition and design. He incorporated both humour and drama into the lines of his art and delivered compassion without being sentimental. Over the years, he wrote and illustrated over forty books, including series that featured Petunia the silly goose and Veronica the conspicuous hippo, folktales such as the Three Sneezes and The Crocodile in the Tree, and concept books such as A for the Ark. Roger also created pictures for over 140 books by other authors. Among them were the popular Happy Lion books written by his wife, Louise Fatio, and nineteen books by Alvin R. Tresselt, including White Snow, Bright Snow, which was awarded a Caldecott Medal, and Hide and Seek Fog, which was named a Caldecott Honour Book. Four of his titles were New York Times Best Illustrated Books, and in 1976, he received the Kerlan Award for Children’s Literature. His work is on display in the Duvoisin Gallery at the Zimmerli Art Museum at Rutgers, in New Brunswick, NJ. For earlier works see parts 1 - 8 also. This is part 9 of an 11 part series on the works of Roger Duvoisin: 1963 The Lamb and the Child by Dean Frye published by McGraw-Hill 1964 The Poodle Who Barked at the Wind by Charlotte Zolotow published by Lothrop, Lee & Shepard 1966 Around the Corner by Jean Showalter published by Doubleday & Co. 1963 Spring Snow by Roger Duvoisin, published by Knopf, New York: 1963 The April Umbrella by Priscilla & Otto Friedrich, published by Lothrop, Lee & Shepard: 1964 The Happy Lion and the Bear by Louise Fatio, published by Whittlesey House, New York: 1965 Days of Sunshine - Days of Rain by Dean Frye, published by McGraw-Hill: 1965 Hide and Seek Fog by Alvin Tresselt, published by Lothrop, Lee & Shepard: 1965 Petunia, I love You by Roger Duvoisin: 1965 The Rain Puddle by Adelaide Holl, published by Bodleian:

The Little Witch

There's always room in my life for a little more of the beloved Swiss writer and illustrator Roger Duvoisin, so here is what I found around the web this morning.

Love the texture and line of Natalia Shaloshvili's recent illustrations and the tension between the characters.

There was a small chain of events that prompted me to write today’s blog. Firstly I started drawing geese (for no reason in particular) but I guess just enjoying creating their twisting shape…

Beautiful 'Extraterrestrial Odyssey' Poster Print by hassen bouchemma ✓ Printed on Metal ✓ Easy Magnet Mounting ✓ Worldwide Shipping. Buy online at DISPLATE.

Isn’t it strange how some childhood moments stay with you so clearly, while most things fade into a half remembered muddle? It was just before Christmas, many years ago when I was just a litt…

Well, here is a very interesting Illustrator! I am particularly glad to announce that she, like me, was born in 1980 in Russia! (although her family moved to Israel quite a while ago). She has a brilliant website, so if you want to know the details of her biography and a lengthy list of her awards, please have a look HERE. I think that her work is truly unique and very quirky! There is something magical about it! Something weird, but in a nice way! In a warm and funny way! This is what she says about illustration: "I truly believe that illustration can positively affect our mood, broaden our imagination and contribute a lot of charm and beauty to our surrounding. When I illustrate a book I try to create joy and humor which, in my opinion, is one of the most important elements of the art of illustration, and to include them in the general concept of the book." And I can't but agree!!!! So, here is a real treat, some of her drawings! Enjoy!!!