Book By Its Cover » Tico and the Golden Wings

11.25.08

Tico and the Golden Wings

Leo Lionni

This morning I was at a meeting at Knopf because I am going to be illustrating a new book of inspirational quotes from children’s books (more about that another time). We met in a small room filled with books for kids and young adults so you can imagine where my hands wanted to go. After the meeting, my art director, Isabel, showed me all of her favorites off the shelves. I fell in love with this re-released classic Leo Lionni book, Tico and the Golden Wings which she graciously let me take. The illustrations are really really beautiful. The style and sensibility (from 1964) seem to be so similar to what’s popular now. Isabel was telling me they re-scanned all the original artwork for this new version. Can you imagine seeing these paintings up close? The story is about a bird who had no wings but then gets granted golden wings. He uses each golden feather to help somebody and a regular black feather grows in it’s place. In the end he has his wings and has also done great things for all different people. The cover of this version has metallic printed wings, so they really shimmer. You can get a copy of this book here(you can’t do better than $6!). Thanks Isabel!
tico tico4
tico3 tico2

11 Comments

11/28/08 4:51pm

Janet wrote

I have several of Leo Lionni’s books, but I’ve never seen this one. Looks beautiful!

11/28/08 4:54pm

soo wrote

i love Leo Lionni, but haven’t seen this book before. the story looks indian, looking at the characters. the last panel seem to be the traditional indian puppets of rajasthan.

11/29/08 10:14am

uncharted wrote

Beautiful illustrations. Thank you for sharing this book!

12/1/08 4:37pm

Maria Paula Dufour wrote

Hi Julia!
I have this book in spanish!
My mom bought it me in an “used book fair”, when I was very child. This book mark my childhood and my today work. Thanks for sharing it!

My version has metallic wings in cover, too!

12/3/08 12:32pm

Jimmer wrote

Beautiful. Sounds like that shimmering fish book was a copy of this–hope Leo’s story is better…

12/7/08 1:22pm

Famous Quotes wrote

I dont know what to expect from these guys.

12/8/08 7:25pm

liz wrote

We did Tico and the Golden Wings for our Fourth Grade play! I forget what I was… I think I was a mother… but I’m definitely getting this for my friend who played Tico!

12/12/08 4:40pm

hazel terry wrote

Hello I have just ordered this book but we have ‘little blue and little yellow’ and both of my children love it. I hope this one is as good as it promises to be.

12/13/08 1:22pm

Cindy Dumas wrote

Read this book to a first grade class at a local elementary school in Fairfax, VA.
Business volunteer to program.

Book was used as a teaching tool for the theme, giving and sharing.

Many children had read the book and they still loved the theme and the illustrations.
I will purchase the book for my nephew, great nephew and friends children.

Great book! Nice themes! Good tool to discuss various themes; diversity, sharing, etc… Perfect for the holidays. :)

01/5/09 5:23pm

Magda wrote

Hi Julia,

I just discovered your website, and I find it absolutely wonderful.

You’ll see a note about it tomorrow on my website (although it’s in french…)

01/20/09 2:29pm

Sam wrote

Stunningly lovely!

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