HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!
This piece of art is from my book A VALENTINE FOR YOU, part of a holiday series that I published with Clarion Press back in the late 80's and early 90's.
My editor for this series was Dorothy Briley. I'll never forget the time when, after our lunch together, Dorothy took me to the Farmer's Market at Union Square---right around the corner from Clarion's offices. Dorothy kept enthusiastically suggesting that I take some produce back to Vermont with me, including yellow and purple potatoes (I did), and some special goat yogurt (I didn't, fearing it would not weather the travel). Dorothy herself selected what resembled a 4-foot tall tree---a heavily studded, luxuriant stalk of Brussels sprouts. It had the heft and size of a large medieval weapon, and as we walked back to her office, passersby made large detours around us.
The series of books itself, two books a year for three years, a total of six holidays, was a delight for me to work on. The little village in the books was based very closely in appearance on the wonderful small Vermont town I was living in at the time. The texts incorporated many Mother Goose and traditional children's rhymes, one of my big enthusiasms. And I've always enjoyed working with themes that deal with the cycles of life. I'd love to come up with another series, revolving around some of these basic rhythms.
The perfect heart!
ReplyDeleteThe book is right in my library now! Love it!
ReplyDeletesuch a nice memory & so fun to picture you walking down a busy NYC street with a stalk of Brussels Sprouts. I do hope you find a new series of holiday books or at least a 4 seasons one.
ReplyDeleteCAthy
So nice to read about the genesis of your books, always so interesting to other writers & illustrators. And what a lovely thing to read about
ReplyDeleteon Valentine's Day! Thanks for sharing this.
Barbara
I love that Dorothy didn't think you could get fresh veg in Vermont.
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet story about you and Dorothy. I wonder if life in the southwest will suggest a very different (but equally compelling) series of books? We miss you in the east.
ReplyDeleteI have a copy of this charming book along with VALENTINE FOXES--love them both! It would be fun to put a stalk of Brussels sprouts in your next book.....wonder if kids would know what they are.
ReplyDeleteRe: the comment from brattcat: The Farmer's Market was quite new at the time of this story, and I think Dorothy (like all other New Yorkers) was so delighted by its existence that she just had to show it off!
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