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This is a really old piece, but still looks great.

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The term toy book originated in the 18th century when John Newbery began printing 'gift books'-such as A Little Pretty Pocket-Book (1744)-with small toys such as pincushions for girls included in the packaging. The earliest toy books were picture books bound in paper, of six to eight pages, often left blank on the back, with a small amount of text, and coloured illustrations rarely attributed to illustrators.

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This is a nice collection of work... good variety.

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There is a type of plot device I find irresistible: when a seemingly innocuous element is introduced into a story which proceeds to throw the protagonist's life into chaos. One of the best examples is Patrick Süskind's The Pigeon, but it doesn't really matter, because what's true in fiction is often true in life. For most of us, a certain predictability is desirable. Though we may rail against it, routine is stabilizing, even comforting. When it is disrupted, everything, and everyone, falls into question, and who we become in the midst of uncertainty is where the real story begins.

In Mac Barnett and Patrick McDonnell's wonderfully sly new picture book The Skunk, a man is utterly discombobulated by the sudden appearance of chaos on his doorstep. Chaos, in this particular instance, takes the form of a skunk, as the title suggests. Not a normal skunk, which would unnerve anyone, but a skunk in dogged pursuit of some unnamed thing...or person. Impeccably dressed in a tux and bow-tie and on his way to the opera, the man does not wish to startle the skunk, so he backs away slowly and heads down the street. The skunk follows. The creature is neither friendly nor unfriendly, but he is always there, around the corner, sitting at a nearby table, matching the man's actions move for move. The man confronts the skunk, offering various forms of appeasement like a saucer of milk and his own pocket watch, but the skunk is not interested. His paranoia rises. The skunk continues his pursuit from cemetery to carnival, finally cornering the man on a dead-end street. We never find out the skunk's true intent because the man jumps down the sewer and starts running until he ends up in another part of the city. He buys a new house and starts his life over. But even as he celebrates, the anxiety persists. Something is missing.

"I thought about the skunk. What was he doing? Was he looking for me? Was he back in his burrow? Was he following someone else? I left the party to find my skunk."

Is The Skunk the first children's picture book to explore Stockholm Syndrome? Nah. Maybe. It would be easy to write an entire review about the psychological undercurrents in this book (I'm already half way down that path), but it would be at the cost of its other pleasures. Simply put, The Skunk is very clever storytelling. The entire idea is funny, and Barnett's pacing is exquisite, building slowly to a twist (and slightly twisted) ending.

And then there is Patrick McDonnell's art. McDonnell has been such a frequent subject in this blog, I should have exhausted my superlatives long ago, but his artistic brilliance continues to inspire even as my ability to praise (in an original way) shrinks. The teaming of Barnett and McDonnell is perfection on a number of levels. Considering the subject matter, one might expect the skunk to appear menacing, but just the opposite is true. McDonnell's skunk is adorable. His bushy tail curls over like a musical note, sweetly dwarfing the rest of the skunk's tiny body, and his facial features bare some resemblance to the loveable cat Mooch from McDonnell's cartoon strip Mutts, especially the red, over-sized nose. Throughout the book, McDonnell's beautifully realized illustrations - master classes in characterization and line - bring humour and light to each scene, even as the story darkens.

But the apparent innocence of the skunk is deceptive, or at least, dual-purposed. With the exception of the last scene, the skunk's face is expressionless. Calm. This makes it impossible for the man to know the skunk's real intent. Is it malicious, or just a poorly expressed attempt at friendship? It's possible he is over-reacting to the situation, but then again, maybe not. Chaos. The unknowable is what drives the man to make a desperate move and start a new life on the other side of town. The funny thing is, when the skunk is no longer in pursuit, he misses it. He goes after it. The pursued becomes the pursuer. In spite of the title, The Skunk is really about the man. The skunk doesn't change. This is why teaming McDonnell with Barnett is so perfect. If the skunk had been an obvious baddie, the story could be read in a more straightforward way, but thanks to the subtle, artful intelligence of McDonnell and Barnett, there is much more going on. More questions, more nuance, and certainly, more fun.

The Skunk is brilliant and inscrutable, and like the character(s) in the book, it will stick with you for a very, very long time.

Mac Barnett is no stranger to funny, occasionally subversive kids books. Just within the last couple of years, the prolific, California-based author has written at least two books that share a mischievous affinity with The Skunk: the take-down masterpiece Battle Bunny, and the award-winning Sam and Dave Dig a Hole, beautifully illustrated by a fellow-subverter Jon Klassen. (Barnett previously teamed with Klassen on Extra Yarn.) I am giddily looking forward to the upcoming Leo: A Ghost Story (illustrations by Christian Robinson), to be published in August.

Patrick McDonnell is the creator of the incredibly endearing, kind-hearted, and funny cartoon strip Mutts. Aside from the annual collections of his strips, McDonnell has also written and illustrated several stand-alone picture books, including the Caldecott Honor-winning (about Jane Goodall's childhood), and my personal favourite . I have reviewed most of Patrick McDonnell's books, and rather than list them here, please click on the Picture Book Archive on the left hand side and scroll down the list for additional reviews. McDonnell is a member of the national board of directors for both the Humane Society of the United States and the Fund for Animals. His art is beautiful. He is beautiful. I can't say enough.

THE SKUNK by Mac Barnett, illustrations by Patrick McDonnell. Published by Roaring Brook Press, 2015

For a mini-review of Battle Bunny, click HERE and scroll down. For another mini-review of Sam & Dave Dig a Hole, click . (Both books deserve longer reviews, I know. Until then, I strongly recommend both books. Strongly. Recommend.)

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There is a type of plot device I find irresistible: when a seemingly innocuous element is introduced into a story which proceeds to throw the protagonist's life into chaos. One of the best examples is Patrick Süskind's The Pigeon, but it doesn't really matter, because what's true in fiction is often true in life.

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This is a cool show

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Brandywine Conservancy and Museum of Art

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From the sublime to the ridiculous, with remarkable creativity and wit, children's picture book art appeals to young and old alike.

This exhibition, organized by the Brandywine River Museum of Art and guest curated by H. Nichols B. Clark, features an exciting selection of contemporary paintings and drawings created by eight of the most renowned artists currently working the field: Sophie Blackall, Bryan Collier, Raúl Colón, Marla Frazee, Jon Klassen, Melissa Sweet, David Wiesner and Mo Willems. The works reveal the artists' broad spectrum of working methods and subject matter, as well as the ever-increasing inclusiveness in the field of children's book illustration. Get the Picture! Contemporary Children's Book Illustration brings the museum's long-standing commitment to the history and traditions of children's illustration to the present day.

Videos

Programs

For a list of programs that include artist appearances and book signings, visit our events page.

Museum Explorers Family Workshops
Thursday mornings in July & August, 10 & 11 a.m.
New theme each week with activities inspired by the exhibition. For ages 2-8 with a grown up.

Finding Winnie
Children are invited to wear pajamas and bring their favorite stuffed friends to listen to the Caldecott Award-winning book about the true story of Winnie the Pooh.

Get the Picture!
Join Christine Podmaniczky, curator of N.C. Wyeth Collections and Historic Properties, for an illuminating discussion of contemporary children's book illustration.

Reading Picture Books with Children
Parent and Teacher Program
Monday, July 25, 6-8 p.m.
$15 members; $20 non-members
Get ready to shake up storytime! Megan Dowd Lambert, senior lecturer in children's literature at Simmons College, will discuss an exciting, interactive alternative to the traditional read aloud. Book signing and reception to follow.

Inspired to Draw!
The award-winning illustrator will discuss the creative process behind Draw! Based on his childhood, this imaginative and wordless book takes the reader on an exciting adventure through a young boy's mind. Book signing to follow.

Get the Picture! Gallery Talk
Wednesday, September 21, 2016, 2 p.m.
Free with admission
Join Christine Podmaniczky, curator of N.C. Wyeth Collections and Historic Properties, for an illuminating discussion of contemporary children's book illustration.

In the News

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Get the Picture! Contemporary Children's Book Illustration

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From the sublime to the ridiculous, with remarkable creativity and wit, children's picture book art appeals to young and old alike. This exhibition, organized by the Brandywine River Museum of Art and guest curated by H. Nichols B.

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Post with 86 votes and 7445 views. Tagged with awesome, the more you know, the hobbit, lotr; Shared by Mewmus. High resolution map of Middle Earth

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A recent custom map for a client with blue watercolor water and a parchment style landmass with custom illustrations and snow covered mountains and trees.

© Tiffany Munro and commissioners. This is a portfolio of commissioned work. Please do not reuse maps. I have many resources available for making your own map on my DeviantArt page. 2019 Feed the Multiverse

Theme by Anders Norén

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Ragnekai Winds Fantasy Country Map - Feed the Multiverse

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A recent custom map for a client with blue watercolor water and a parchment style landmass with custom illustrations and snow covered mountains and trees. © Tiffany Munro and commissioners. This is a portfolio of commissioned work. Please do not reuse maps. I have many resources available for making your own map on my DeviantArt page.

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a journey through the imaginative worlds of C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, and the Inklings

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j'ai mis en bouquet les nuits sans lune les épis, la bruine et le vert des prés ...

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Lisa Chu, Coltrane Curtis and their son going to the Public School show

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Flat illustration inspiration. The style and amount of detail is something I'm really going for.

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I like the duotone style colour treatment in these pieces.

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Duotone Illustrations by Neil V Fernando - Inspiration Grid | Design Inspiration

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We have updated our Privacy and Cookie Policy. Read about the changes here - By continuing to use our new website you're agreeing to the new policies and terms. more-posts pinterest twitter facebook-with-circle pinterest-with-circle reddit-with-circle stumbleupon-with-circle twitter-with-circle ; Get inspired on Instagram Inspiration for your inbox You'll be getting some inbox inspiration shortly.

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Showcase and discover the latest work from top online portfolios by creative professionals across industries.

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Magali Villeneuve is an illustrator and concept artist that has done work for numerous projects including some of the extra game of thrones novels)

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Isabel Westling has some interesting concept art and uses a variety of background colour schemes to represent what they are highlighting in the image.