Paul Rand is best know for his corporate design work in the 1960’s. His incredibly original style was heavily influenced by the european art scene. He also created a number of children’s books and Chronicle Books have now reprinted them. I Know a Lot of Things is bursting with raw energy and has a feeling a innocent wonder of the world. Compared to the wised up texts of todays children’s books the narrative style is all over the place but this is Paul Rand through and through and his bold, energetic illustration and design cement the feeling of the wonder of the world. The 60’s were a decade when children’s books really were created by artists and were often children’s first introduction to art as well as literature. Paul Rand’s work in children’s books is a perfect example of that more gentle time in children’s publishing. Get this book here.

*a note from Julia: I’ll be at Mel Kadel’s opening of her show Sun Days later today and you should be too. Looks like it’s going to be totally amazing!

The ACME Novelty Library is not just a book to read it’s also an object of great beauty. Not only is the content brilliantly written and illustrated, the cover, paper and ink is satisfying to touch and to smell. This is a book that satisfies all of the senses. Rather a large volume at 390mm high and 235mm wide, Ware has created this fantastic series of pastiche collections of comic strips that hark back to the 1930’s and 40’s heyday of comic book illustration. Ware’s story telling ability is subtle and sensitive, dealing with the mundane lives of people and their thoughts, insecurities and dashed hopes and aspirations. Everything about this book is a work of art. You can buy this book here or see original sketches of Chris Ware’s here.