Two Deers Learn how to live life!

1943 Honor: Dash and Dart

By Mary & Conrad Buff
American husband and wife writing team who collaborated (both writing and illustrating) on a number of children's books.

Mary was born in 1890 in Cincinnati. She had an early interest in art and poetry and later studied art. She married Conrad Buff in 1922 and worked as a teacher and museum curator before beginning her writing career.

Conrad Buff was born in Switzerland and grew up on a farm. He emigrated to America in 1904 where he worked in various jobs and pursued his hobby of painting, until becoming recognised as a talented artist. He settled in the West, after falling in love with its landscape.

Mary and Conrad published a total of 14 books together, with Mary mainly writing the story and her husband illustrating. These stories reflect their backgrounds, featuring both the American West and Swtizerland. The theme of nature is also recurrent in their works. Some of their books were nominated for the Newbery Medal. As far as I know just one of their books featured horses and is a typical boy's ranching story, although set against a Mormon backdrop. It has very nice illustrations but the story may not appeal to horse-lovers because of the old-fashioned, cruel way the wild horse is caught and broken.

Mary died in 1970 and Conrad in 1975.


Source: http://maryandconradbuff.ponymadbooklovers.co.uk/

Book Summary

                This sweet story follows two deer’s as they grow up!  Dash and Dart, brother and sister, must learn to live on their own in the wilderness.  They will encounter danger, hunger, and joy. 

This book is written in stances.  They are rhythmic and easy to read.

Illustrations:

            Shading, attention to detail and nature!  What a beautiful combination.  Lithograph images printed in brown.  They are soft and natural.  There are pictures all over the book.  Some of them are on a single page others take two while others are full page spreads!  They are all detailed and show what the text is about.  They are soft and warm.  The big bushy tail of the squirrel is fluffy and curvy!  It is almost as if you can touch the pages of the book and feel the animal fur.  Very fun!

Art Medium: The Buffs worked with oils and lithographs. I could not find what medium they used for these illustrations.

Final Thoughts:
1. Would this be a book I would pick up again? yes
2. Would I recommend it to others to search out and take a look at?  If you like nature they yes this would be a book you would enjoy!
3. Would I spend my hard earned money on the book?  Maybe
4. Where did I get the book? Pierce County Library got this book from PLU for me to look at!!!
More info: 
http://www.sullivangoss.com/conrad_Buff/
http://www.bbhgallery.com/Buff_Conrad_.htm