Hilda Boswell FTW

[magicsandwiches]

Presenting:

The amazingly awesome illustrations of Hilda Boswell from my childhood storybook which I was able to find on eBay.

Comments

[faeriemere]

A couple Christmases ago, my sister gave all of us siblings picture books that we'd loved as children. It was one of the best present ideas ever. Why do illustrations from beloved childhood books leave such a lasting impression?

Have you ever read Tatsinda?

[magicsandwiches]

For me, it's because I looked at the pictures before I could read and wondered and wondered and wondered what the story was about. When I finally found out, the stories were amazing and wonderful and changed my life forever.

I read Tatsinda ages ago way back when you first told me to. Very striking illustrations!

[faeriemere]

See, that's why it's odd for me: I can't remember not being able to read. The illustrations were always accompanied by words that I could read and understand. They always brought the stories to such vivid life, though!

Yes, exactly! That's what made me think of it. Those watercolours (all greens and blues!) are...I'd say "seared into my memory", only that makes it sound painful. "Graven on my heart", more like.

Did I tell you I found an old paperback copy of Talking to Dragons with black-and-white illustrations? I always wondered about that illustration you loved so much, of Mendanbar coming out of the brazier. I think this might be the same edition.

[tiegirl]

Oh and how! Before ebay and the internets my brother went on a mad hunt for a rare book of fairy tales that we had as kids that got lost in our last move. Man, that was crazy. He found an old, beat up copy in a rare books shop in NYC. We still treasure it.

Btw, I swear I've seen that illustration from The Princess and the Pea.

[magicsandwiches]

Oooh, what book was it?! Enquiring minds want to know.

[tiegirl]

I'll find it and tell you. Maybe I'll even try to take pics like you did, but that may be beyond me.

[tiegirl]

I did find it! It's The Giant Golden Book of Elves And Fairies with Assorted Pixies, Mermaids, Brownies, Witches, and Leprechauns
Selected by Jane Werner
Pictures by Garth Williams
Simon and Schuster New York, 1951

[checkers65477]

Lovely!

[hannah_nutwood]

oh lovely! as i grow older, i become more and more convinced that not just children's books should be given the benefit of beautiful illustrations. (although i am very grateful that they at least have them. so many memories!)

[magicsandwiches]

Agree!

[caveat_lect0r]

Delightful!

I am amused by the fact that the Raggle Taggle Gypsy story has been adjusted, story and lyrics, from marital infidelity to thirst for adventure. Perfectly proper to suit a children's book, but still funny.

So glad you were able to find this again!