just one apple

I rediscovered this amazing children's book this week, originally found at an op-shop last year. It's called 'Just One Apple' by the German children's writer Janosch, published 1965:

I was drawn to it because of the bright colours and painterly style, but when I read it to the children, I fell in love with the quirky story, too. A man called Walter desperately wants to grow one apple on his little tree. He does, and the fruit grows bigger and bigger until it causes him much sorrow.

I love the naive style of the work and vivid brushstrokes used. Here are a couple more pages:

This morning I finished this little set for Tom's Mum to send to her friends in the States who had a new baby recently- a little dancing skirt and some poppy-embroidered shoes:

I loved this little poppy seed-pod, so had to stitch it onto the skirt...

Comments

[amanda]

what a charming book :)

And those gorgeous shoes! Is that crewel work? *I love*

[fiona]

your a very clever lady, love the poppys on the booties!!!

[Jo]

Love you work. The poppy shoes are super cute. Great inspiration from the story book too! Thanks for sharing.

[heidi]

that is a beautiful book nad the skirt nad shoes are beautiful as always!

[Elisa]

Janosch is very popular here in Germany among children and adults. The pictures of the books I know differ totally from the one you have shown, perhaps because it's much older. Lovley ! Funny I have to stumble across a blog from New Zealand to see something like that :)

[Dawn]

Ah, the embroidered poppie, my favorite. That childrens book looks really interesting. I still have books in my head from when I was a kid. Some of those illustrations stick with you forever. I can't remember the stories, per say, but the images are as clear as day. Hey, I made a rhyme. hehe.

[Emma]

Love the trees in bloom! Poor little Walter though, I wonder what sorrows he might face.

Your post about the power-cut was lovely too. It is so great to sometimes get an unexpected break from modern life. Our ancestors must have been quite resourceful - and good at detangling in the dark. =) Or maybe they just told tales and slept a lot... I wish I could make visit to a great-great-great-grandmother and find out.

[africankelli]

Those shoes! My gosh. I just love them! Melissa, your work is always so beautiful. It is art.

[kimberle and Lies]

thanks for showing the beautiful illustrations, I am so glad many families enjoy this beautiful art. Good Illustration is always blurring the lines between illustration, fine arts, and graphics.

Lovely fabric in your last post. you are really making me want to buy through the web:)
-kimberlee

[Ruth]

Beautiful shoes! Enjoyed your post about the power cut, they are quite frequent here,we don't have the luxury of an open fireplace, but sitting by candlelight is pretty special too.

[Mirre]

Those poppy-shoes are the best!

[Felicia]

What a delightful book. And of course I LOVE your tiny shoes :)

[Alison]

The illustrations in that book are beautiful. They'd look great framed and hanging up on the wall.
More Tiny Happy shoes that I love love LOVE!

[Kimberley]

I'm loving the red poppy shoes. I've been taking a closer interest in your shoes lately, Miss Wastney, as I am going to invest in the perfect pair for a wee person in about a month's time when I can stand upright again ...

[Shell]

Love love love your beautifulthings. Very inspirational thanks for sharing!!! Saw your work on Babyliscious site and was very excited to find more on your own page.

[Elisabeth]

Lovely drawings in that Janosch book.