Seven Simeons (1938 Caldecott Honors Winner)
Written and illustrated by Boris Artsybaxheff
Boris Artzybasheff (25 May 1899 - 16 July 1965) was a Ukrainian-born illustrator active in the United States, notable for his strongly worked and often surreal designs. During his lifetime, however, Artzybasheff was probably known best for his magazine art. He illustrated the major American magazines Life, Fortune, and Time (including more than 200 Time Magazine covers over a 24-year span between 1941 and 1965[1]). After 1940, he devoted himself to commercial art, including advertisements for Xerox, Shell Oil, Pan Am, Casco Power Tools, Alcoa Steamship lines, Parke-Davis, Avco Manufacturing, Scotch Tape, Wickwire Spencer Steele, Vultee Aircraft, World Airways, and Parker Pens. (these facts from wikipedia)Story Summary
A King finds seven brothers with magic powers working in the fields of his kingdom. The King uses the powers to get what he wants, a bride. The in return the King allows the seven brothers to return to work in the fields.
Okay now the real summary:
A Rich Spoiled King who thinks he is Gods Gift to his Kingdom, wants to find a Bride that is equally as wonderful as he is. He learns about a Bride but she is a great distance away (ten years to get there and ten years to get back). So the King gives up. Then one day the King discovered seven brothers with magic powers. The King learns what the powers are and then uses the seven brothers to get the Bride in the far away kingdom that can now be reached in a week’s time. The Bride is kidnapped by the seven brothers and then she is okay with it. The King and Bride get married, and in reward the King grants permission for the seven brothers to return to their field to work.
Not sure if this is a message I want to share with children but, I did find the story entertaining while I read it!
Illustrations: Beautiful and detailed, crisp and accurate. I LOVED the details on the clothing garments that were worn by the characters in the story. Small intricate flowers and swirls add to the pants, shirts and all other cloth. I also loved how there was a “peek” picture on the right hand page. What is this? A small (often one item) picture that would highlight a point in the story that has happened or is to come. There was not an empty spot to be found. Lines, dashes, dots, but everything is so much order! Amazing that it was done by hand! Not overdone, just done right!
“Most of his book illustrations favored the crisp line and careful composition that are so distinctively his.” http://www.bpib.com/artzybas.htm
Hey look I used the word crisp too! Maybe I know a bit about this stuff?!?!
Final Thoughts:1. Would this be a book I would pick up again? For the art-yup! For the story-if you want a laugh sure!
2. Would I recommend it to others to search out and take a look at? Yup. The drawings are beautiful.
3. Would I spend my hard earned money on the book? Already did! J Should you? No just borrow mine!
Want more information? Here you go!
Here is a website with some images of his work.
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