printed forest

(a little note: i put some new pairs of baby shoes in my shop today.)

Last week our local library had a book sale and I found a few to take home, including this Norwegian children's book entitled 'Treet som ikke sto stille'. (Written by Henning Kramer Dahl, published by Solum Forlag, 2002). I'm not sure what the title means- (norwegian readers?!) but perhaps it's something like, 'The tree that wasn't quiet'...? It seems to be a story about the adventures of a little green pine tree and her squirrel-friend.

The illustrations are woodcuts by Norwegian artists Lasse Kolsrud and Gunhild Vegge and are the reason I bought the book, although one day I do hope to understand some of the writing!

I love the subtle colours used for the prints, the textural feel of the woodcuts, and of course, the way in which simple shapes can have such feeling and integrity.

Inspiration for painting, gocco-printing, lino-cutting, maybe even potato-printing with the kids..?

Comments

[strikkelise]

The title means "The tree that didn't stand still".
Very nice illustrations, they look like lino stuff from the early seventies!

[melissa]

thank you for the translation! i have a long way to go with my norwegian... :)

[Di]

Glad that someone else managed to translate for you - because I definitely couldn't but I do love the illustrations! Particularly the elk/moose on the front cover - moose being my favourites!!

[abbehope]

What a cute book! :) Published as late as 2002?

[Caterine]

oh wow. thank you so much for sharing. i love woodcut so much. now i have to check if i can find this book in belgium.
and your baby shoes are truly exquisite. if i was a baby i would be very proud to wear them.
;)
have a nice week-end.

[kirsten]

wow - i love those so much! esp. the squirrel and the cityscape.

[K]

Those are some lovely woodcuts for a childrens book- so appropriately Norwegian. Nice find!

[Sally Anne]

Lovely book melissa, and as soon as I saw it I thought 'freezer paper designs'. Have fun experimenting! I also love the embroidery - how sweet and 1930ish. Glad to hear you are getting some signs of spring.

Went pinecone collecting up the back today with Sarah and Esmae - winter is on the way. The light is very autumny.

Missing you,

Tamsin

[Amy]

Gorgeous illustrations!! I think more books should be illustrated like this. Beautiful embroidery too - I found an old Semco table runner embroidery kit that Im doing as my first embroidery piece.

[Jo]

Wow what a find. Those pics make the pages look almost wooden. I love how in some pics, 'the tree that didn't stand still' looks like it has legs. Bet its a lovely story.

[Jannelle]

What wonderful illustrations...one of my passions is Children's illustrations...and one of my perks in my job, first dibs in canceled library books. What a great find.

[caireen]

...it's very you!

[Ravenhill]

What delightful books!

[belinda]

What a beautiful book. You find the most wonderful things Melissa.

[rhiannon]

Hmm guess which magazine I bought today at work? And guess who happened to be in it? And I squealed! I had no idea you were going to be in it? Did you keep it a secret on purpose or did I just miss something?
Anyway. the photo of you and the kids is absolutely stunning and it's a great article. You clever thing! xx

[carolyn]

Fab illustrations, isn't it lovely how you can still enjoy a book for it's beauty even though you can't understand the written word?

[amisha]

what wonderful illustrations... so inspiring indeed! xox

[kimberlee]

beautiful!