The other day I was playing around with some sketches for a painting, and a few familiar but nearly forgotten friends appeared. Fond memories often contribute to my ideas and drawings.

One of the most memorable stories from our early homeschool days is “The Josephina Story Quilt”. Its a story about a girl named Faith who begs her parents to bring her pet chicken Josephina out West.

The old chicken never laid eggs and was too tough to eat, and no one would take her, so Josephina was allowed to come on the condition she made no trouble. During the journey West, Faith records the story and adventures of Josephina in a patch work quilt.

Okay, it’s been long enough - I’ll show you what I’ve been working on! The Indiana Homeschool convention (IAHE) has an annual art and essay contest, and this was my last year to enter. Like last year, I made a portfolio of four pieces in four different mediums (or media, if you want to be Latin-correct). I also made a “Copy the Masters” piece, and chose Beatrix Potter.

This painting was copied from the very last page of “The Tale of Benjamin Bunny”. Started out in pen and ink. (By copy, I mean looked at and redrawn - not photocopied or traced.)

The enamelware basin in the lower left is just too sweet! (We’re big enamelware fans.) I used my travel-sized watercolor palette to keep from using too many colors. Otherwise I could have been carried away!

Aww, just look at Flopsy and Mopsy all curled up on their momma’s lap.

Cottontail and Peter fold the handkerchief, which likely smells of onions to this day.

And, the finishing touches! The 4″x5″ painting was matted in off-white and, might I add, looked quite smart. ;–)

-Beatrix Potter’s Journal, 17 November 1896

Recently I have come to the conclusion that if I have in mind to become a well-rounded, well-informed children’s book illustrator (and possibly even a writer), that I had better catch up on all those books I had passed up on as a child.  I did read plenty of books as a wee girl, and still do. But somehow I did not read all the classics. Don’t ask me how it happened in the first place. Maybe I thought I was too mature for those “kid” stories, or they just weren’t my type, or I didn’t think they were very important in my overall upbringing. Whatever it was, I have pushed that aside. I am now very appreciative of all the imaginative, and creative work that goes into these tales.

I have decided to take you all on this adventure with me! So, every now and then, I will post my reviews on various children’s literature and illustration.

And for my first review, I bring you, James and the Giant Peach!

• Author: Roald Dahl

• Illustrator: Lane Smith

• Publisher: The Penguin Group

• Copyright: Text, 1961; Illustrations by Lane Smith, 1991

.:. .:. .:.

The only memories I had of this story was the sticky, gloomy peach filled with creepy-crawly bugs poking fun at a poor little boy.  Of course, like any good modern American child, I had only seen the movie, and never read the book.

James’ story officially begins when he is seven years old.  As a lonely little orphan boy, he must live with his gruesome and detestable aunts, Sponge and Spiker.  One day he discovers a peach, grown to the size of a house!  Finding a hole in the side, he climbs through, and entering the door at the end, finds a surprise.  Several Surprises!  And they are all as big as he is!  Inside, awaiting his arrival, is Centipede, Earthworm, Green-Old-Grasshopper, Miss Ladybug, Miss Spider, Glow-worm, and Silkworm!  It’s only a matter of a good night’s sleep before the peach rolls away with them all to an adventure.

Throughout their journey, James’ clever resourcefulness continually saves the day. It is full of whimsical songs and poems, adding a charming touch. A journey across the Atlantic Ocean full of hungry sharks, past the ferocious Cloud-Men, and into New York City, eventually lands them all into happily ever after. I must refrain from giving away the ending for those who haven’t read it yet.

The illustrations by Lane Smith completely capture the feel of the story. Black and white may be boring to some, but I enjoyed its simplicity and room for my own imagination. If you ever get a chance to take a close look at them, see if you can find anything a little interesting in the last illustration. If you look close, you may notice something kinda cute.