My Fellow Americans

My Fellow Americans

Alice Provensen 1995

 Alice Provensen has illustrated a rich collection of Americans, spanning centuries and interests.  There are pages for rebels and visionaries, writers, artists, and musicians, government builders, and athletes, activists and religious figures.  Quotes accompany the pages and extra biographical information is in the back.  We love these kinds of books as a jumping off point to doing more research into the people we've learned about.  Provensen's assortment demonstrates the incredible diversity of minds and talents that built our country.  

The Buck Stops Here

The Buck Stops Here

Alice Provensen 2013

Alice Provensen's biographical collection of U.S. presidents.  Oversized and tucked with tidbits of information, it's a handy companion when learning United States history.

Aesop’s Fables illustrated by the Provensens

 I had a good score at the thrift shop the other day.  On my way out after paying for my treasures, I passed the 50 cent book bin.  That’s always too good to pass up!  I found this treat- large oversized hardback of Aesop’s Fables illustrated by Alice and Martin Provensen.  So back into the store I went to pay for my new found discovery.  (This is actually not a rare occurrence for me… thinking I’m done shopping, paying for my goods and then spotting something else before I make it to the car and having to go back inside!)

Of course I’m always glad I went back for it.  I’m quite pleased with this addition to our Provensen collection.  The stork on the front is my absolute favorite!

Aesop's Fables

Adapted by Louis Untermeyer

illustrated by Alice and Martin Provensen

A Peaceable Kingdom

A Peaceable Kingdom

The Shaker Abecedarius

Illustrated by Alice and Martin Provensen 1978

The Shakers were a religious group that envisioned an egalitarian community devoted to a simple way of life.  Although they had some flourishing communities, they didn't believe in marriage or procreation and eventually they dwindled and died out. As austere as their beliefs might have seemed, they managed to produce this whimsical animal alphabet rhyme as a tool to teach children to read.  Alice and Martin Provensens iconic illustrations have made it a classic.   

I have also happen to have a clean paperback copy for sale on my Ebay shop.  

The Provensen Book of Fairy Tales

The Provensen Book of Fairy Tales

compiled and illustrated by Alice and Martin Provensen

1971

The Provensen's have illustrated some fine books.  This collection of fairy tales has many full page illustrations showcasing their work.   In the introduction they explain that the stories are literary versions of the fairytales.  All the classics are here.

How beautiful is this contents page?!

If you are a fan of the Provensens, this is a must have!

Tales from the Ballet

Tales from the Ballet

adapted by Louis Untermeyer

illustrated by A. and M. Provensen 1968

Louis Untermeyer was a prolific author and contributer to children's literature.  Not only did he adapt stories for children, but he also published many well regarded anthologies of poetry.  It's definitely worth looking for his Golden Treasury of Children's Literature and Poetry books.  They sometimes pop up at thrift stores (where we've gotten our copies).   

Here are his adapted stories of the ballet.  Illustrated by Alice and Martin Provensen in a style that's particularly dense and with a midcentury modern feel.  Years ago I would not have been drawn to this style of illustration, but recently I've found myself absolutely loving it.  I used to think it looked untidy and abstract, but I've come to admire the decptively detailed and intentional colors of the compositions.  

All the big ballet stories are here, "Giselle", "Copellia", etc...  Our favorite thing is to read about the story and then look up youtube videos of the dances.  Ondine was one of our favorites.