The original great cities series as imagined by Miroslav Sasek begins with This is Paris.First published in 1959 we take a tour around Paris from a young child's point of view.
Miroslav Sasek was born in 1916 in Prague, but a holiday in Paris gave him the idea to write a travelling book for children.
Over the next 20 years, he produced 18 books in his city series, including one dedicated to travelling to the moon!
Sasek's illustrations would now be described as retro. Though they are over 50 years old, the illustrations still retain their freshness, originality and sense of fun.
The original text was not so fortunate.Paris has changed since 1958.
In 2004, This is Paris was reissued, printed on lovely creamy paper with an "updated facts at the end of book" tag.
Sasek introduces us to the local cats, the residents and their jobs, the famous sights (of course) as well as lots of little details & curiosities.
He provides a little history along the way but just enough to whet your appetite.
It's hard not to love this book. It's full of the charm and romance expected of Paris.
This is Paris was written and illustrated by someone in love with Paris, for those of us who love Paris as well.
This review is part of Paris in July & Dreaming of France.
That does look charming!
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What a delightful book! Would love to get hold of it, but don't think that's very likely here where I'm in, thousands of miles from Paris.
ReplyDeleteThese books have been published in the UK & US and most English speaking countries. If we can get them in Australia, I'm sure you can find them in Canada too :-)
DeleteI think I'd love the 1950s version just to see what it was like then. The drawings are terrific. They have a real style. Thanks for playing along with Dreaming of France. Here’s my Dreaming of France meme
ReplyDeleteThe updated edition is the exactly the same, I believe, except for the extra page at the end with the updated facts & info (and the lovely creamy paper).
DeleteWhat a lovely-looking book! Those illustratrions do have a charming naiveté about them ♥.
ReplyDeleteI love this book! The whole series is cute, and iconic.
ReplyDeleteWE DO like the same! I have this wonderful book and love it. It helped me learn to draw a bit better, too! A bonus!
ReplyDeleteI had the London one of this series as a child - a total delight. Interesting how trendy those retro illustrations are again!
ReplyDeleteI just bought a few books in this series at a library book sale. One was for Sydney!
ReplyDeleteI have wanted to read this book for quite some time. Thank you for the reminder - I have placed a hold at my local library and am quite anxious to share it with my granddaughter.
ReplyDeleteLove the illustrations!
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