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JennGM
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| Posted: May 26 2005 at 9:46am | IP Logged
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As I pick up books for my son and give book for gifts, I'm finding that I frequently choose black and white illustrated picture books. The black and white really appeals to me.... I even prefer black and white movies. I guess I like the contrast -- I find in clothing I like black and white, or blue and white. I like use of symbols in liturgy and art...even if just stark b/w. I'm fond of art by Ade Bethune holycard examples who used simplicity for her work. Perhaps that's why I love doing calligraphy.
I'll offer a few favorites of mine.
All by Wanda Gag, particularly Millions of Cats
The Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf
They Were Strong and Good by Robert Lawson
All by Lois Lenski
All by Robert McCloskey
All by Sister Mary Jean Dorcy (scissored Paper Cuttings)
Childhood of Famous American Series, with the silhouette illustrations.
Helen Sewell, who illustrated the first editions of the Little House Books. I also have found A First Bible at a used book sale and fell in love with it...before I realized who the illustrator was. I guess I'm consistent!
On the other hand, I don't like the b/w of Tasha Tudor...I wish that all of hers had color.
I do love my color books, but I find that if the illustrations are good, the "lack" of color doesn't detract from the story, but instead stimulates the imagination to put in one's own color. And I don't see my son choosing one over the other in reading to him.
This isn't a very artsy discussion...I'm sure there are whole books written about b/w. It was just a personal observation of my own preference.
Do you prefer b/w over color? I'd love to hear your opinions here!
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Jennifer G. Miller
Wife to  & ds1  '03 & ds2  '07
Family in Feast and Feria
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Marybeth
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| Posted: May 31 2005 at 9:21pm | IP Logged
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Jenn,
I do love the old b/w movies. (sigh) Why can't all movies be like the oldies?
Ever since I read this thread I have been paying particular attention to the illustrators my ds enjoys. Thus far he isn't too interested in the lovely Tasha Tudor books we borrowed from the library. 
We do like many of the books you listed in your post. Make Way for Ducklings is a particular favorite.
I am going to keep observing. Thanks for getting me looking at this particular aspect of my ds' personality.
God bless,
Marybeth
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JennGM
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| Posted: June 01 2005 at 7:23am | IP Logged
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Marybeth,
My son is only 20 months...but I do find that the Tasha Tudor takes some growing into...I personally think her art appeals more to female senses, but I'm going to keep trying.
At a library book sale I picked up some obscure books. I was a bit worried because most were b/w illustrated, so I didn't know if he would like them. One was called Edward and the Boxes...about a little boy who plays in boxes. Ds loves to do that himself. Anything he can get into he tries. He LOVES that book...and the others, with clear drawings of animals and such he loves. Sometimes I feel I'm out of touch with this list because I'm reading out of print books for my child!! 
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Jennifer G. Miller
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Family in Feast and Feria
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Marybeth
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Jenn,
I tried to find Edward and the Boxes at my library. No luck!
Hopefully we will grow into enjoying Tasha Tudor. If not, I can check them out of the library for myself. 
You are not out of touch with the list at all. You are such a source of wisdom and encouragement to people. I think you are doing such a great job and your ds is so little! Wow!! He will be brillant like his Mom and auntie!!
We are off to the library today to choose some more living books. I am armed with my booklists so the librarians are always happy to see me coming. It makes me sad b/c so often when we go the library is empty.
God bless,
Mb
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JennGM
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I'm not surprised you couldn't find it. Edward and the Boxes was written in 1957, author Dorothy Marino. The library I bought it from was in Altoona, PA, a little town and library. I found a few copies on Bookfinder.com starting $6.50.
Another book I picked up I just saw that it was a Caldecott Honor Book. It's called In the Forest by Marie Hall Ets. It was originally published in 1944, but this copy was a reprint from 1972...still old. It's charcoal sketches, but very realistic.
Thanks, MaryBeth. You're very sweet...
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Jennifer G. Miller
Wife to & ds1 '03 & ds2 '07
Family in Feast and Feria
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stefoodie
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I found this old thread today and thought I'd share a book we've read and loved:
Silent Movie by Avi
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stef
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MaryM
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Oh, stef, it's great you bumped this thread. It's sure an old one - from the first few months of the board and I don't think I saw it then. I really like black and white illustrations a lot, too. Mostly the older ones - there is something nostaligic about them.
Some other illustrators that come to mind are:
Clare Turlay Newbery - most of her animal books are black and white
Virginia Lee Burton - Calico, The Wonder Horse and Choo Choo specifically
In looking at some contemporary black and white illustrated books I like, I find that there is a tendency to be primarily black and white with a single color accent in each illustration as well. It is a neat effect.
Kittens First Full Moon - Kevin Henkes (gray accents)
The House in the Night - Susan Marie Swanson, Beth Krommes (illustrator) (yellow accents)
A Sweet Smell of Roses - Angela Johnson, Eric Velasquez, ill. (red accents)
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Mary M. in Denver
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Mackfam
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B/W illustrations are some of our favorites as well. What a great thread to reopen, Stef! In addition to the favorites already mentioned...
The Biggest Bear by Lynd Ward - very NOT politically correct story of a boy and his bear. There is something very delightful about this story, and my boys LOVE IT! They connect with that little boy so much, his maple sugar candy, and his determined love for a big bear.
Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening by Robert Frost, illustrated by Susan Jeffers. We love this picture book illustration of one of our favorite poems. The only color images in the book are of the man stopping by the woods, but the black/white images are quite detailed and there are many treasures tucked in the drawings here and there. A favorite!
On the Forest Edge by Carol Lerner. Carol Lerner expresses amazing detail describing the animals, their habits and homes, all found at the edge of a forest and an open field. Her illustrations are so enjoyable to look at. Her color illustrations in her other books are among our favorites as well, but this book in particular is not to be missed.
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Jen Mackintosh
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SeaStar
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The Black Book of Colors
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SuzanneG
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We love looking at Howard Pyle's illustrations. We're reading Otto of the Silver Hand right now, and the drawings are really fun.
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Suzanne in ID
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Christine
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SuzanneG wrote:
| We love looking at Howard Pyle's illustrations. We're reading Otto of the Silver Hand right now, and the drawings are really fun. |
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My children keep mentioning how incredible Howard Pyle's drawings are.
On another note, when one of my children was three, she used to color the black and white illustrations in picture books (she was also my child who used to draw pictures all over the walls). She now has a hard time believing that she used to do so either.
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Christine
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CrunchyMom
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WE love Howard Pyle as well! I haven't pulled him out in a while, but I think I'll stick him in our current basket to replace the Andrew Lang volume we are just completing.
I got them for free because of my husband's job, but we really like the ISI/National Review box set of his books Pepper & Salt and The Wonder Clock. We bought his King Arthur at the local art museum, but it was a bit too old. The shorter tales in the set we own are better for my little guys right now!
Which, if I might brag, our local museum is hosting this spring an exhibit of Caldecott winners featuring original art from another black and white favorite, Make Way for Ducklings!
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Lindsay
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stefoodie
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I have a cute addition to this thread!
Steven Kellogg's The Mystery of the Missing Red Mitten
So sweet! A little girl loses one of her red mittens and goes looking for it with her dog. Reminds me of Spot Color Photographs
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stef
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4Real Forums : Picture Book Discoveries
Topic: Let's Talk Black and White!
