I'm hoping that this id the gateway book for the rest of the family. So far I haven't talked two of them into anything, and the one who's enjoyed the hell out of Your Hatemail Will Be Graded, hasn't bestirred herself to sample the fiction. Of course she could find the time to read Handmaid's Tale a third time in preparation for for her exam, but does Agent to the Stars get even a cursory glance? I really thought the daughters would go for Zoe's Tale or Fuzzy Nation, but not a nibble. Big sigh.

library copy

Disclaimer: ARC via Netgalley.

                I hadn’t heard of Ferrer-Dalmau before reading this book, though undoubtedly I saw one of his paintings somewhere online.  I requested this book from Netgalley because my father collects miniature soldiers, and I collect model horses.

                It’s stunning piece of work.  If you know anyone who is interested miniatures, you should consider getting them this book.

                While the book does contain introductory essays that not only about Ferrer-Dalmau but also about the miniatures and a bit about military history, the bulk of the book is the art.  Miniaturists created work that references, or is a direct recreation of, a painting or part of a painting. 

                This book makes me wish I had been able to see the exhibit. 

I am an ardent Barbara McClintock fan.  She's the illustrator I'd want to be if I was an illustrator.  Her style just speaks to me on just about every level.  I own almost everything her pen has touched. 

Sadly, our picture book reading days are dwindling as my daughter approaches tweendom.  But we both still love picture books and will make the time for special ones like this. 

It's important to know that this is a sequel to another fabulous picture book titled Mary and the Mouse, the Mouse and Mary.  You don't have to read that one to get something out of this one, but it sure enhances the experience greatly! In fact, the pair would make a LOVELY gift for any child who like miniatures and tiny details.

If I opened up a book and saw these cute miniatures, I'd just die. ;)

info (from the auction site):

"Important Auction of Miniature Decorative Arts from The Old Salem Toy Museum, October 30, 2010"

TWO EXTREMELY RARE NEEDLEWORK INSTRUCTION BOOKS WITH SAMPLES FROM THE FEMALE MODEL SCHOOL, KILDARE PLACE, DUBLIN, IRELAND, 1833-37.
Sold: $3,304.00($2,800.00)

Comprising "A Concise Account of the Mode of Instructing in Needle-Work... " printed by Thomas I. White, Dublin, 1833, and "Specimens of Needle-Work Executed in the Female Model School..." printed by George Folds, the cover inscribed "Sarah Darby 1837" and including cloth samples of sewing, darning, embroidery, knitting, and miniature clothing. Each in marbleized covers, largest 9 ¼ x 6 inches. (One illustrated)
Provenance: Witney Antiques, Oxon, England.

Auction link: http://northeastauctions.com/search/detail.php?l=317&a=OldSalem2010

(From the Museum of Science and Industry Chicago site):

"Colleen Moore

Silent film star Colleen Moore was always fascinated by dolls and doll houses. She owned several elaborate doll houses as a child, but later in life her father, Charles Morrison, suggested that she should pursue her passion for miniatures and doll houses by creating the "doll house" of her dreams. Her position as one of the most popular actresses in Hollywood gave her the resources to produce a miniature home of fantastic proportions. Beginning in 1928, Moore enlisted the help of many talented professionals to help her realize her vision.

Creating the Fairy Castle

Horace Jackson, an architect and set designer who worked for First National Studios, created the floor plan and layout of the castle with the basic idea that “the architecture must have no sense of reality. We must invent a structure that is everybody's conception of an enchanted castle."

Moore also enlisted the help of art director and interior designer Harold Grieve. Grieve had designed the interiors for Moore's actual mansion, so he was a natural to create the interiors of her fantasy castle.

By 1935, approximately 100 people worked on the Fairy Castle. The price tag for this 8'7" x 8'2" x 7'7" foot palace, containing more than 1,500 miniatures, was nearly $500,000."

And about the castle's Library:

The library is done in a sea motif. Over the fireplace stands Captain Kidd with his treasure behind him. The door to the right shows Robinson Crusoe and his man Friday. Above the other door is Gulliver, pulling the Lilliputian ships through the gates of the city. The furniture has a sea motif and is verdigris copper. Sea horses and sea snails hold the shell-like furniture. This furniture is made for fairy folk who like to read in different positions. That chair turned up in front is made for a little elf who likes to read with his feet in the air. The books in the library are all real. There are more than 100; many of them are handwritten by some very prominent authors.

On the reading stand is a dictionary. This was given to Colleen Moore by her father when she was only 5 years old, and it began her whole miniature collection.

Read more here and enjoy the gallery (and of course, purchase the book):

http://www.msichicago.org/whats-here/exhibits/fairycastle/the-exhibit/library/