JULIANHECTOR: October 2008

Rainbow Wolves and Thunder Deer

The Little Matador, Review Number 3

From School Library Journal:

Coming from a long line of distinguished bullfighters, the Little Matador is expected to continue his family’s proud tradition. But bullfighting bores him and drawing animals makes him happy, to his father’s horror. When he debuts in the ring and stops the charging animal by drawing a picture of it, the boy proves to the townsfolk and his parents that his talent is different but also special. The old-time setting is well conveyed through illustrations using muted colors for the most part, with the hero in a bright red matador’s outfit. The succinct text is enriched by numerous visual touches that help tell the story: family portraits on the walls–all of matadors; the authentic-looking arena off the town square; the Little Matador’s room with books and pictures that suggest his interests in the larger world outside his town. This handsome endeavor will appeal particularly to youngsters who are familiar with bullfighting traditions. However, its emphasis on being different and finding your own talents is a good message for all children. Pair this title with Munro Leaf’s classic Ferdinand for an interesting storytime on individuality.–Judith Constantinides, formerly at East Baton Rouge Parish Main Library, LA

October 18th at 18 west 18th street (this Saturday)

"GRAEME BASE, URI SHULEVITZ, JULIAN HECTOR, MARC TYLER NOBLEMAN, ROSS MacDONALD and SEYMOUR CHWAST

Books of Wonder is pleased to present an afternoon with six marvelous picture book creators on Saturday, October 18^th from 12:00pm – 2:00pm.

Joining us from as close as Brooklyn and as far away as Australia will be NY Timesbest-selling author and artist GRAEME BASE for Enigma: A Magical Mystery, the latest illustrated book from the creator of Animalia; Caldecott Medalist URI SHULEVITZ for How I Learned Geography,an autobiographical picture book about a young boy who finds joy in a map and the imaginative journeys it unveils to him; Pushpin Studio co-founder SEYMOUR CHWAST for Sea Sells Sea Shells, a book of brightly illustrated tongue twisters; author MARC TYLER NOBELMAN and illustrator & New Yorker cover artist ROSS MacDONALD for Boys of Steel: The Creators of Superman, the first book devoted to Seigal and Schuster, the two young men who created Superman; and author and artist JULIAN HECTOR for The Little Matador, a picture book about a boy from a long line of matadors who would rather draw a bull than fight one! Each of these abundantly talented authors and artists will present their new books at noon, then answer questions from the audience, and sign copies of all their wonderful titles."

Books of Wonder

A Greek Tragedy in CMYK

The Death of Nessus, Deianira, and Heracles

A long time ago, a passionate centaur named Nessus, abducted a youth, named Deianira. Unfortunately for Nessus, Deianira was the wife of Heracles, and he promptly shot the centaur with an arrow dipped in Hydra poison - a poison so deep with death that the blood of Nessus became poisonous, too. Clever Nessus knew this, and with his dying breath, he told Deianira that his blood would excite the love of Heracles. She believed him and dipped one of her husband's shirts in the blood, saving it for future use.

As the years went by, the love between Deianira and Heracles grew dim, so Deianira decided that it was finally time to give the shirt to her husband. Instead of having a special night, however, the poisoned shirt killed Heracles - just as Nessus predicted. In great sadness, Deianira put the shirt on, too, and met her husband's end.

Printable:

Heracles

Nessus & Deianira

-One of my favorite statues, is the statue of Nessus and Deianira by, Adriaen de Vries - seen here.