All of the illustrations for this book were drawn on location, and illustrate famous Italian gardens and towns. This first illustration, from the beginning of the book was drawn in a poor Florentine suburb, but other famous Italian sites such as San Gimignano, Villa I Tatti, Villa Gamberaia, and the Appian Way (bottom pic) are also pictured and accompany old Mother Goose rhymes that fit the illustrations.
I also loved this book, about a bear who looks after his fathers park while his father takes off for an adventure in a hot air balloon. The book starts out with two aerial view maps of Henry's town and the park. Even at an early age I think maps excited my imagination because they allowed me to put myself in that place.
Who wouldn't want to spend their days tending flower gardens, showing people the best picnic spots, and playing their cello under an umbrella tree?
Henry Bear's Park, © 1978, Puffin Books; New Jersey.
These are fantastic! I can totally see you as a kid with these.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing these!
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