A Childhood Favorite

Generally, I won't be posting about picture books.  At least I don't plan to post about picture books, but you know what they say about making plans...

Anyway, Gyo Fujikawa is one of my favorite childhood illustrators.  I say illustrator, because though Ms. Fujikawa also wrote children's books, it is her illustrations that captivated me.  She was one of the earliest illustrators that used multi-cultural children in her illustrations.  Born in 1908, she illustrated many, many books, and had artwork in magazines as well.  She passed away in November of 1998, at 90 years old.

My childhood copy along side a new copy.

There are two of her books that stand out in my memory - Millie's Secret, a board book that tells the story of Millie and her dog, who has a secret!  This was a favorite, for sure.  My most favorite, however, was Oh What a Busy Day!  I still have my childhood copy, actually, though it is quite tattered!  The illustrations, poems, rhymes, nursery tales, and especially the illustrations... Several years back, Barnes and Noble did a reprint of this book for their bargain section - their bargain section!  I bought 20 copies or so (seriously, they were like $3 a book) and it became my favorite gift.  I'm down to only a few copies left, so I'm a little stingier with it these days, as I have to save a copy for my future children...

One of my favorite illustrations from Oh What a Busy Day!

Meet Millie, though this illustration is also from Oh What a Busy Day!