Book love can take many forms. Last year, I came across a lovely way to pay tribute to the books that are meaningful to you or to those you care about. Since 2007, artist Jane Mount has been creating detailed and colorful paintings and prints of book spines. I fell in love (I’m not alone) with both the concept and her wonderful execution.
Her prints are taken from custom paintings she has done for various clients and work beautifully in a nursery, child’s room or playroom. The children’s books depicted are ones that you will read to your grandchild at some point or ones that they will certainly recognize and remember fondly: Goodnight Moon, The Velveteen Rabbit, The Snowy Day, The Giving Tree, Le Petit Prince, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, and Ferdinand among many others. YA fantasy series, such as Harry Potter (which I bought for my son), Lord of the Rings and the Narnia books are also available for your older grandchildren.
You can also choose a custom print or a custom original painting in gouache and ink on fine paper (which I ordered for my daughter). If you are purchasing this for an adult whose reading tastes you know well, you can order it as a surprise; alternatively, you can have them wrestle with these type of questions: What is your favorite book? What book have you read again and again? What is the book that changed your life? What book always makes you cry? (My son is still pondering his list).
Jane joined forces with Thessaly La Force to produce the book, My Ideal Bookshelf, released this past November. I can’t come up with a better description of this book than Kirkus: a bibliophilic feast for the eye, mind, heart and soul. Thessaly interviewed one hundred prominent and creative figures to find out which books were a source of inspiration and Jane created the accompanying original paintings.
Besides being talented, I found Jane to be someone who valued my business, is enthusiastic and easy to work with.
What is the book that your grandchild asks to hear again and again or reads repeatedly on her own?
What a great post Belinda. You always seem to find such interesting topics. I read my grandchildren 5 or 6 books of their favorite books each night when I visit them – each book has special memories to both them and me. My grandkids would love one of these paintings hanging over their beds. Thanks for the idea!
Thanks for stopping by, Andrew. Wow…5 or 6 books! You are a generous grandpa and I am sure that your grandchildren look forward to your visit! I appreciate the kind words.
A very neat idea, indeed.
Thanks for visiting (from across the pond), Martin. And I’m pleased to have discovered your interesting blog, http://square-sunshine.blogspot.com, all the more notable for being authored by a grandfather.
very cool!
Definitely…the ones she did for us came out great, Linda.
What a fabulous gift one of her paintings would be! They are beautiful. Thanks for sharing!
you’re welcome—
always happy to see you here.
What a brilliant gift for a book lover. I’ll be pinning this for future gift ideas (maybe even for others to give to ME!). 😀
Yes, I love the combination of books and art—and I firmly believe in eliminating some of the guesswork in choosing a present meant for me.