Obren Bokich’s A Christmas Card for Mr. McFizz was published in 1987, just before I turned
four years old, and I received it that year as a gift from my grandmother. I don’t remember the actual gifting. What I do remember is being fascinated by Dan
Lane’s illustrations, entranced by the
story (it’s odd, endearing, and rather grown-up), and demanding rereads from my
parents until I could read the words myself.
It’s the one picture book I told my mother not to donate when she went
on a bookshelf cleansing rampage while I was in my teens.
I’m not sure what happened to that original book, but in
college realized I didn’t know exactly where Mr. McFizz was and I ordered
myself a replacement copy on the interwebs.
The title has been out of print for years, but luckily there wasn’t a
problem finding a reasonably priced copy.
Fast forward to one month ago. I was trying to figure out what to do with an
enormous white wall in the living room.
I had IKEA frames and saved posters from several years of the National Book Festival, but I needed something else.
Enter Mr. McFizz. I went back to
the worldwide web and ordered the cheapest used copy I could find (a reject
from the San Diego County Library, it turns out).
Then I did it – I cut up my favorite picture book.
And put it in cute frames and hung it on my wall. And I
smile every single time I look in that direction.
It was a good decision.
Tell me: would you cut up a picture book for wall art? Which one?
10 comments:
Ferdinand. Definitely Ferdinand. And The Poky Little Puppy. Both of those would make me really happy to see on the walls regularly. Still, I'm not sure I could cut up books. Maybe color copies? ;)
What a cute idea.
I'd probably deface Amelia Bedelia or The Very Hungry Caterpillar.
Stellaluna! Stellaluna would be a good one.
I like the idea, and I think your pictures look great, but I don't know if I could do it, although I do have pages from an old child's grammar book framed, but it came that way.
Ha! I love it. "I killed a book and I'm not sorry". Bravo! Great job. Adorable post! And yay for more pictures.
Great idea!
I LOVE this idea! I would do exactly what you did and buy an extra copy though. I couldn't cut up my one and only copy of a favorite book. I think this is such a great way for a book-lover to decorate and seems like a relatively cheap project. I will definitely use this idea once I finally move into my new house!
That's fantastic! I have a couple of art books that I got at a used sale for fifty cents a piece, and I have meant to do something similar, but haven't been able to bring myself to cut the books up yet.
I love this!
Those turned out lovely! I don't know that I could cut up a book to frame, but I have done it with sheet music.
I think this is a cool thing to do, but I would have to buy copies for that purpose only. I'm thinking used book stores, or the friends of the library book store.
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