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Category Archives: Authors/Illustrators
The Ukulele: A Book and the Song “Shaft”
A new book about ukuleles came across my desk a few weeks ago. It’s called “Ukulele: The World’s Friendliest Instrument”. It’s by Daniel Dixon. Have you ever wondered what songs could be played on the ukulele? Songs other than Tiny Tim’s “Tip Toe Through the Tulips” or Don Ho’s “Tiny Bubbles”. Well, check out this [...]
Also posted in Music, My Vintage Video Tagged history of the ukulele, quirky song covers, the Ukulele Orchestra Leave a comment
Beverly Cleary: Children’s Author
Beverly Cleary was one of my favorite authors when I was a kid. I still remember the moment when I finished reading Runaway Ralph (I was probably in 3rd or 4th grade), I went to the town library and picked up another book by Cleary. Ralph the mouse led me to Ramona the Pest. What [...]
Shoes: Fashion and Fantasy book
If you love shoes, then here’s a fun book to flip through! It’s by fashion writer and blogger Colin McDowell. It was published in 1989. The following photos are just a small sampling of the 342 photos and illustrations found in Shoes: Fashion and Fantasy.
Also posted in Clothing/Fashion Tagged books on vintage shoes, collecting shoes, history of shoes 1 Comment
The Snowman by Raymond Briggs
The Snowman is a picture book first published in 1978. It’s by English author Raymond Briggs. In 1982, the book became a beloved and critically acclaimed 26-minute animated movie. It was nominated for an Academy Award for Animated Short Film. Like the book, there are no words or dialogue in the movie. The story is [...]
John Lennon: In His Own Write
October 9th would have been John Lennon’s 70th birthday. Instead of paying tribute to his music, let’s honor his writing. Lennon released two books during the height of Beatlemania. In His Own Write came out in 1964. Spaniard in the Works was released a year later. Here he is reading the poem “I Sat Belonely” [...]
Also posted in People/Places Tagged John Lennon 70th birthday, John Lennon's In His Own Write, the writings of John Lennon Leave a comment
Women’s Fashion from 1770 to 1899
Fashion Week is underway in New York! The hottest designers and top models are on the runway displaying next year’s Spring and Summer couture. Let’s look at some classy dresses from a few centuries ago. Perhaps Kate Moss will help bring this style back someday. The following illustrations are from the book “Hand Colored Fashion [...]
Also posted in Clothing/Fashion Tagged Collectible books on fashion, History of women's fashion, W, Women's fashion in the 1800s Leave a comment
Last Call: The Rise and Fall of Prohibition
It’s time to stock up on summer microbrews and compile my summer reading list. First up, is a bottle of Samuel Adams Summer Ale and a book on the history of Prohibition. Last Call is by Daniel Okrent. It’s a fascinating look at the Prohibition movement in the United States. I’m only a few chapters [...]
Year of Mark Twain
2010 is the year of Mark Twain! It’s the 175th anniversary of his birth and the 125th anniversary of his classic Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. He also died 100 years ago this week. Ernest Heminway once wrote all of modern American literature comes from Huckleberry Finn. Mark Twain (whose real name was Samuel Clemens) said, [...]