ces are you know the artwork of Louis S. Glanzman. In addition to illustrating the children’s classic Pippi Longstocking, his works have been on the covers of Time, Saturday Evening Post, The New Yorker and others. Glanzman’s portraits of famous folk hang in the National Portrait Gallery.
Lately, though, Glanzman has been aiming his illustrations at a new audience his nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild. In fact, the clan inspired a new story, Dream Catchers, in which Glanzman artfully blends his styles as both a children’s illustrator and a longtime producer of historically and scientifically accurate illustrations for National Geographic.
Glanzman teamed up with writer Lisa Suhay, author of Tell Me a Story and Tell Me Another Story. Her latest spirited tale begins when brother and sister Zachary and Carolyn are packed off to visit their grandfather, a painter, in his studio (who no doubt resembles his creator, Glanzman). They see, for instance, his well-known portrait of Thomas Jefferson, along with canvases of Native Americans and a dinosaur. Zachary and Carolyn are transfixed by the art, prompting their grandfather to advise, People say a painting can speak to you. Of course, we artists know the truth a painting can really move you. Zachary responds: I feel like I could just step into this one and go. Not surprisingly, that’s exactly what happens. The duo finds themselves magically transported into the world of their grandfather’s canvases, first to the land of dinosaurs, where they hop aboard for an exciting ride on a traveling triceratops. The children proceed to have a glorious romp through history, seeing cave people and later being rescued from a herd of stampeding buffalo by Native American hunters on horseback.
The natives herald the children as Dream Catchers ones who follow their thoughts to new places just as any avid reader does when encountering a good book. Eventually the young explorers make their way home, but not before encountering their grandfather in native headdress. Readers can’t miss the message, and meanwhile they’ll enjoy the journey through time along with Glanzman’s stately, lively illustrations. Here’s one grandfather who hasn’t lost his touch!
