We are five weeks into the Safer-at-Home, social-distancing, flatten the curve of Covid19 process. The efforts have been paying off in several ways: gradually reducing the rate of new cases, lowering the count of daily deaths, and finding our way through at home/distance approaches to teaching, learning, working, connecting, and otherwise adjusting.
We are also in the midst of politicizing the pandemic in unimaginable ways, including defiant gatherings and protests with questionable purposes.
People need to make their own choices, as long as those choice don't harm others. When personal choices put others at risk, we are all entitled- no, obligated- to speak out. We dare not allow boredom or frustration or ignorance or worry or blind hope to put others in danger, to squander the progress that has been made.
I grew up in a family that adored books, stories, newspapers, comic books, and reading of all kinds. It was at a time when there were far fewer picture books, but those we had were treasured friends. Among those golden treasures (and many actually were GOLDEN BOOKS), the one book that was in our home and that of every kid I knew was Watty Piper's THE LITTLE ENGINE THAT COULD.
It was the source of a refrain that we all knew and understood, the tag line we could reference with universal recognition:
Illustrator Dan Santat was tagged to reimagine this timeless classic, a daunting task. That could not have been an easy contract to accept, knowing that millions of readers hold the original images close to their hearts. With his vibrant, muscular, expressive art, he met that challenge beautifully. Remarkably, Santat succeeded in capturing the truth and colorful energy of the original while offering a fresh approach with as much appeal while retaining an embrace of nostalgia.
Compare the two covers to admire the ways in which color tones and characterizations were preserved while amping up the dimensions, the perspectives, scale, and expressiveness of the toys, engines and landscapes. Here are just a few snaps of interior spreads.
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| Platt & Munk, 1940 |
I grew up in a family that adored books, stories, newspapers, comic books, and reading of all kinds. It was at a time when there were far fewer picture books, but those we had were treasured friends. Among those golden treasures (and many actually were GOLDEN BOOKS), the one book that was in our home and that of every kid I knew was Watty Piper's THE LITTLE ENGINE THAT COULD.
It was the source of a refrain that we all knew and understood, the tag line we could reference with universal recognition:
I THINK I CAN, I THINK I CAN, I THINK I CAN!
If this book is new to you, we'll need a deep conversation to figure out how that is possible!
The picture books I grew up with were few, but they were timeless, and this one is an all-time classic. The 1940 original eventually continued life in GOLDEN BOOK versions, board book versions, Disney portrayals, anthologized stories, Sunday sermons, commencement speeches, and international translations.
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| Platt & Munk, 2020 |
What a dilemma when it came time to wish that big-hearted and determined Little Engine a Nintieth Birthday! How could anyone possibly do justice tot this amazing book?
THE LITTLE ENGINE THAT COULD, 90th Birthday Edition, by Watty Piper and illustrated by Dan Santat manages to do just that.
This little engine remained a classic for many reasons. Some are related to excellence in storytelling craft (problem/solution, cycles of repetition, prediction and surprises). Watty Piper's original full text is honored in this edition and continues to shine. Many happy memories are related to the delightful original artwork. Most importantly, the enduring affection of readers across ninety years of generational sharing relates deeply to the heart of the story- a message that we each can shape our own future by believing in ourselves, and that the world DEPENDS on us to do our very best, always and in all ways.
Illustrator Dan Santat was tagged to reimagine this timeless classic, a daunting task. That could not have been an easy contract to accept, knowing that millions of readers hold the original images close to their hearts. With his vibrant, muscular, expressive art, he met that challenge beautifully. Remarkably, Santat succeeded in capturing the truth and colorful energy of the original while offering a fresh approach with as much appeal while retaining an embrace of nostalgia.
Compare the two covers to admire the ways in which color tones and characterizations were preserved while amping up the dimensions, the perspectives, scale, and expressiveness of the toys, engines and landscapes. Here are just a few snaps of interior spreads.
I hope you will consider ordering one or more copies of this outstanding reissue from an independent bookstore, if you can afford to do so. Give them as gifts. Please take the message to heart. We need all the reminders we can get that the hardest tasks are still within our capacity to achieve.
Everyone involved in this global health crisis is forced to admit the limits of their understanding of the eventual outcome. What we do know is that our uphill struggles to deal with our altered lives will be challenging, even painful. But it will not be permanent. Let's not stop believing that we can, we can, we can get through this.
Everyone involved in this global health crisis is forced to admit the limits of their understanding of the eventual outcome. What we do know is that our uphill struggles to deal with our altered lives will be challenging, even painful. But it will not be permanent. Let's not stop believing that we can, we can, we can get through this.
At some point in the future we will all crest that hill and make our way to a better future. That time that will arrive sooner and more successfully if we pull together (apart) and keep chugging along,
That's when we can proudly agree "I thought I could, I thought I could, I thought I could."
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