World Dolls Series: Germany

As promised, we’ve arrived in Germany for the next leg of our tour in the World Doll Series of books.

Really charming illustrations once more – this time the work of W. Lewis from the Birmingham School of Design.

Our German guides are Gretel & Gunther who spend a lot of time singing & dancing when they’re not shepherding us lot around.

We’re taken on a trip through a land of contrasts.

Vibrant cities & the industrial powerhouses…

…to the beautiful countryside with forests, mountains, lakes & rivers.

From bustling shipyards on the coast to serene fairy tale castles in the hills.

Hot & sunny in the summer for cycling, swimming and open air cafés, cold & snowy in the winter for skiing, skating and cosy log fires. Perfect!!

And the Germans are very good at doing Christmas too. You’re going to have a job dragging us away!! But onwards we must go – Italy next. So it’s Auf Wiedersihen from the good folk of Germany.

World Dolls Series: France

Bonjour! We’ve hopped across the channel to France in our World Dolls Series tour.

Illustrations for this edition are by Janet Meeson from the Birmingham School of Design.

Are guides for this trip are Marie & Pierre – resplendent in their traditional costumes.

A bit of gentle sun on our faces – we’re all relaxed and mellow – so the large shillelagh stick to keep order on the coach that Patrick had in Ireland has been dispensed with!

Marie & Pierre have joined us from their toy shop window in Paris.

All the classic Parisienne sights. Wide, tree-lined avenues…

…colourful cafés, classic architecture, beautiful bridges, the River Seine….

…and of course – the Eiffel Tower.

We then head into the idyllic countryside to take a look at the vineyards & orchards.

Then onto the coast for a spot of sunbathing – where we can all get very brown!

And finally we take in a festival – the Blessing of the Boats.

We just love the illustration below.

Join us next time when we’re arriving in Germany.

World Dolls Series: Ireland

We’re back touring!

We’ve crossed the sea to Ireland in our World Dolls Series – a charming collection of children’s books produced in the 1960s.

Our guides for this leg of the journey are Kathleen & Patrick – two dolls who once stood side by side in a Dublin shop window. There’ll certainly be no misbehaving on this trip – Patrick has his shillelagh at the ready for anyone who steps out of line!

Gorgeous illustrations once more – this time the work of J.Giplin from the Birmingham School of Design.

We’re taken on a journey through pretty country landscapes…

…eating hearty home cooked food as we go.

What’s not to like?

We venture across the Channel to France next time!

World Dolls Series: Scotland

This week we’re touring Scotland in our World Dolls Series of books.

There are twelve little books in the series. We’ve managed to get hold of them all, so we can do quite a comprehensive tour of Europe now.

Our doll guides for this trip are Andrew & Sheena – sporting their national costumes which they wear for high days & holidays (they dress down in jeans & T-shirt during the rest of the week!)

Fabulous illustrations once more – this time the work of M. Russon from the Birmingham School of Design.

They’re very atmospheric with a distinct 1960s feel.

We love the colours in this book – subtle shades of green, ochre & blue with flashes of bright red.

Some illustrations are full of tiny detail, but they retain a simple, spare quality too.

We take in towns, harbours and the wonderful Scottish countryside.

We love the depiction of life on the croft.

Next week we’re heading off to Wales – hope you’ll join us!

H is for Home Harbinger

Tag: World Dolls Series

World Dolls Series: Germany

World Dolls Series: France

World Dolls Series: Ireland

World Dolls Series: Scotland