Jon and Mac consider: a breakthrough in book design, rivers of cat blood, children's stories about old people who love each other, and whether Wanda Gág invented the picture book.
Great conversation, love to learn what you two see when you look at these books. I wonder about the clouds as well. Special care seems to be put into making sure they have their place on the page. It also makes me think of the tiny house on top of a rolling hill, that's also a recurring scene in picture books. Her line work all over is really great, for sure an influence on Crumb and the like.
I just went down a Wanda Gág rabbit hole, and it was so much fun! It would be interesting to get some production insights about this book as well—I think it might have been impossible (or near) to typeset the text around the illustrations (?) when this was published, hence hand-lettering, and while there was four color separation in the early twentieth century, it was probably something that kiddie publishers wouldn’t spring for.
This is my favorite newsletter. I look forward to seeing it pop up in my inbox, and then I think about what I learned all week…and talk at my family about what I learned. All week. Thanks again, for the excellent content.
These posts are just gold! I loved the observation that a more exploitative version of this story would have made more of the scraggly kitten's personality earlier, to gain our sympathy. It seems to me that would often be the choice with contemporary picture books, to give the child reader someone to "relate to" and cheer on. Something to be said for less useful, more fable-like stories.
I've read this book millions .... of times (no, not really) but I don't recollect having the idea that the cats ate each other. It seems I remember them just going away.
I guess that says something about me and my ability to compartmentalize or not believe cats would do such a thing, and yet still be willing to accept the fact that yeah, sure this man not only encountered millions of cats but then brought them home!
1920s illustrations! I wonder if she was inspired by E. H. Shepard's 1926 illustrations of Winnie-the-Pooh--a runaway bestseller in both the UK and the US. Shepard and Milne carefully designed the page layouts to incorporate the illustrations as part of the story, including full spread illustrations (though they didn't work exactly like Gag's since it was a novel, not a picture book text). I think part of it, definitely for Shepard and probably for Gag as well, was new printing press technology that allowed them to put images on the same page as text. But it definitely took a few years for illustrators to figure out how to use that new freedom.
I enjoyed your discussion of the story. It’s so entertaining how you speak to each other, you make me feel as part of the conversation. So thanks.
I just wanted to add to the discussion that when the old man asks who is the prettiest cat and triggers the terrible cat war reminds me of the scene where the goddess of strife tosses the golden apple with a “to the most beautiful woman” and starts the Iliad War.
Tried to order the poster, but the shipping to Canada was prohibitively expensive. So, instead, I'm going to make my 9 year old draw me a copy of it. Or maybe I'll have them draw the cat fight page instead (whether or not they would like to add rivers of cat blood is up to them).
I purchased the book last school year after seeing it illustrated in the book 'Negative Cat' by Sophie Blackall. After I read it, I wondered if I should read it to the students. But after your look into that picture book, I may revisit the idea to read it aloud to the students. Thanks for the deep dive.
This was a delight from start to finish - thank you! Jon, was this brilliant picture book possibly one of the inspirations for another book in which the reader is left to imagine the possibilities and outcomes of (POSSIBLE, unconfirmed) animal-on-animal violence/consumption...?
This book was new to me! Immediately checked it out from the library. What a delight! I can't get over the swooshy lines across the pages. As always, I appreciate your insights and look forward to the next newsletter!
“RIP that one cat with the pupils.” I just spat my coffee out 😂
Great conversation, love to learn what you two see when you look at these books. I wonder about the clouds as well. Special care seems to be put into making sure they have their place on the page. It also makes me think of the tiny house on top of a rolling hill, that's also a recurring scene in picture books. Her line work all over is really great, for sure an influence on Crumb and the like.
I just went down a Wanda Gág rabbit hole, and it was so much fun! It would be interesting to get some production insights about this book as well—I think it might have been impossible (or near) to typeset the text around the illustrations (?) when this was published, hence hand-lettering, and while there was four color separation in the early twentieth century, it was probably something that kiddie publishers wouldn’t spring for.
I’m glad you chatted about the cat fight - it’s my very favorite picture book pitch to imagine.
“A picture book for kids! Hm. What a novel concept! And kids love cats! What happens next?”
“All the millions of cats kill and eat each other.”
“… Fire up the printers boys we’re gonna be rich.”
I love Make Way for Ducklings. Just sayin'.
This is my favorite newsletter. I look forward to seeing it pop up in my inbox, and then I think about what I learned all week…and talk at my family about what I learned. All week. Thanks again, for the excellent content.
Boy. I’ve been looking at picture books for 35 years, but y’all have been LEARNING me these past few posts. Thank you!
These posts are just gold! I loved the observation that a more exploitative version of this story would have made more of the scraggly kitten's personality earlier, to gain our sympathy. It seems to me that would often be the choice with contemporary picture books, to give the child reader someone to "relate to" and cheer on. Something to be said for less useful, more fable-like stories.
Your insights are brilliant - and fun!
I've read this book millions .... of times (no, not really) but I don't recollect having the idea that the cats ate each other. It seems I remember them just going away.
I guess that says something about me and my ability to compartmentalize or not believe cats would do such a thing, and yet still be willing to accept the fact that yeah, sure this man not only encountered millions of cats but then brought them home!
Thanks for this fabulous newsletter!
1920s illustrations! I wonder if she was inspired by E. H. Shepard's 1926 illustrations of Winnie-the-Pooh--a runaway bestseller in both the UK and the US. Shepard and Milne carefully designed the page layouts to incorporate the illustrations as part of the story, including full spread illustrations (though they didn't work exactly like Gag's since it was a novel, not a picture book text). I think part of it, definitely for Shepard and probably for Gag as well, was new printing press technology that allowed them to put images on the same page as text. But it definitely took a few years for illustrators to figure out how to use that new freedom.
I enjoyed your discussion of the story. It’s so entertaining how you speak to each other, you make me feel as part of the conversation. So thanks.
I just wanted to add to the discussion that when the old man asks who is the prettiest cat and triggers the terrible cat war reminds me of the scene where the goddess of strife tosses the golden apple with a “to the most beautiful woman” and starts the Iliad War.
Tried to order the poster, but the shipping to Canada was prohibitively expensive. So, instead, I'm going to make my 9 year old draw me a copy of it. Or maybe I'll have them draw the cat fight page instead (whether or not they would like to add rivers of cat blood is up to them).
Wonderful, thank you!
I’m curious to know if the book’s original publisher had challenges printing the two-page spreads, since they were so innovative. Any insight?
I purchased the book last school year after seeing it illustrated in the book 'Negative Cat' by Sophie Blackall. After I read it, I wondered if I should read it to the students. But after your look into that picture book, I may revisit the idea to read it aloud to the students. Thanks for the deep dive.
This was a delight from start to finish - thank you! Jon, was this brilliant picture book possibly one of the inspirations for another book in which the reader is left to imagine the possibilities and outcomes of (POSSIBLE, unconfirmed) animal-on-animal violence/consumption...?
This book was new to me! Immediately checked it out from the library. What a delight! I can't get over the swooshy lines across the pages. As always, I appreciate your insights and look forward to the next newsletter!