with glee a year or so ago, lured by their striking cover design, I op-shopped these old New Zealand School Publications childrens books. the saturated off-primary colours, the doodles that could have been spiro-graphed, or etched by a kid with a compass point into the soft wood of a desktop bring to mind carnivals, fireworks, hollyhocks, snowflakes, the sun sizzling. good things. exciting things. that appeal hasn't wavered, they're still my favourite design ever. they were the first image that came to mind when Sophie offered to help me with my blog header picture a while back, but as the cover artist was not identified in these books i couldn't reference it. but this week i read Cover Up-the art of the book cover in New Zealand by Hamish Thompson, followed up by 'A Nest of Singing Birds, 100 years of the New Zealand School Journal' by Gregory O'Brien and all was revealed.
Jill McDonald was a New Zealand architect and illustrator who created these designs in the mid 1960's whilst working as the head of the art department at NZ School Publications, before moving to Britain where she illustrated for Puffin childrens books and their book club Puffin Post. She passed away in the 80's. Now I know her name I've been hungrily hunting down all manner of her images online, and am especially overjoyed that she drew some of the puffin book illustrations i remember loving in my childhood.
if you're in the mood to look at some more slightly retro/Angie Lewin style illustration I highly recommend the Fishink blog.
so, what's the story with your blog header image?
if you're in the mood to look at some more slightly retro/Angie Lewin style illustration I highly recommend the Fishink blog.
so, what's the story with your blog header image?
and the title? blackbird has spoken is of course a line from the Cat Stevens song Morning has Broken. my favourite song at school assembly, constantly brought to mind by the family of blackbirds which inhabit my garden.
Very cool and I remember them so well! I think I could tell you how most of the stories went that are in these books! Great to find some bio on the artist!
ReplyDeletei think everyone in nz has read these. perhaps i should too, instead of just ogling the covers!
DeleteMax, I learnt to read with these fab books, if I remember right you had to work your way up to being allowed to read them, and then there was a particular order you read them in!! You were lucky to find the whole set in an op shop. Have you seen the price of them on Trade Me? As for my blog header I'm afraid it's just something I knocked together, need to redesign it - one day! S:)
ReplyDeleteactually can't find my copy of donkeys egg (the purple one) and was thinking of having a look at trademe if it doesn't turn up. now i'm scared (they were only 20 c each!) x
DeleteSo creative and an awesome op shop find!
ReplyDeletei know, what a lady. wish i could draw!
DeleteFunny - we were just talking about these books tonight when my 5 year old was doing her reading. Must see if I can get hold of some to show her. I had forgotten how cool the covers were.
ReplyDeletesince every kiwi appears to have read them i'd say there would be a fair few floating around-sally above suggests trademe...
DeleteThe BEST op shop find!
ReplyDeleteI SO remember these books and the excitement behind moving up a level!
They are fabulous designs and great colours, what a good find! They remind me of Spirograph patterns too.
ReplyDeleteI only recently did a blog header. I must feel more confident now that the blog has an identity, and I am willing to put a daft photo of me up there - who'd have thought? I started the blog during my Secondhand Year, in which I only bought secondhand stuff for myself, which has pretty much carried on really, apart from the odd bit of make up or pair of tights! Hence the name, the pics are self-explanatory! xxx
ahh, i didn't know you did a secondhand year, good on ya! i love your cabaret photo x
DeleteNo story really. It needs changing.
ReplyDeleteI love your new header Max (although I do miss that beautiful pic of you in the sea in vintage swimmers) I thought you'd drawn it (wouldn't surprise me - you're so clever!)
I'm pretty sure, almost positive, I was a memeber of the Puffin Post when I was in primary school. Now I've got lots of links to click on. See ya x
p.s. will try and get my act together re pumpkin risotto tomorrow
i like your header, it suits what your do on your blog, home, family, retro, interiors. but remiss not to have snuck a tea towel in there tho!
DeleteThey are beautiful illustrations - the kind I love and would be drawn to too - if that makes sense.
ReplyDeleteNina x
...like the first bird...I love those illustrations. My daughter came home with "Hermit Crab" last night for reading. I remember reading that one when I was little more specifically because we used to hunt for hermit crabs in rock pools and while all the books in our group had the same pictures, mine had different words. I saw that it was first published in 1974. Now when I read it, the illustrations have changed and the crab has changed gender. It's so nice that our children get to read book about the world they live in rather than squirrels and red robins.
ReplyDeleteabsolutely! we've amassed a great collection of retro and new kiwi-specific kids books for claud-mainly centred around the different native birds as she so obsessed with them. but i still want to imbue her with a love of the classics, even though she might not meet a badger or a robin red breast anytime soon!
DeleteIs Sooty a classic? ; ) I found one of those this week. Excellent material for blog header inspiration. I had quite forgotten that excitement moving up a book thing & that I loved morning has broken SO much...oh do hum along x0x0x
ReplyDeleteTis a lovely header, I assumed it was fabric. I hated our school reading scheme and was thrilled when I was first to finish it and go up to the juniors and borrow Paddington Bear stories instead.
ReplyDeleteI have no header, I am lo-fi (still)
x
These are amazing! Straight away I thought they were vintage artwork - there is some kind of innocence about them, or a happiness that comes from art from around the 60's. It could also have to do with the the fact they were kids books too! xx
ReplyDeletewww.AhkaVintage.com
How wonderful that you've discovered the artist, and can give her the acknowledgement she deserves! You've made a great blog header from these colourful covers.
ReplyDeleteMax hi there
ReplyDeleteWhat an exciting find ! Lovely colours and the shapes also remind me a little of the Festival of Britain symbols used in the 50's. Thanks for the http://www.fishinkblog.wordpress.com mention too. much appreciated. Hope this finds you well. Craig x