"This beautiful book reminds me that I was one of many whom Leo Lionni took by the hand, leading me into the world of writing and illustrating picture books." - Micha Archer, author and illustrator of Wonder Walkers, Daniel Finds a Poem, and the forthcoming What's New, Daniel?
"He had amazing breadth and depth, all on display in this volume." - Paula Scher, graphic designer and partner, Pentagram
"Throughout Leo Leonni's varied and eclectic work one can see his wit as well as his mid-century design sensibility; formal and geometric, but softened by his warmth and playfulness..." - Marc Rosenthal, New York Times bestselling illustrator
"This first survey of Lionni's legacy comes out in conjunction with a retrospective of his work at the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, Mass... Lionni had a rare ability to change shades - and retain his signature vibrancy - while moving, seemingly effortlessly, from one realm to another." - New York Times
The first survey of Leo Lionni's protean career as a graphic designer, children's book creator, and fine artist.
Between Worlds: The Art and Design of Leo Lionni opens at the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, MA, on 18 November 2023. Leo Lionni (1910-1999) was a key figure of postwar visual culture, who believed that a smart, pithy design language could unite people across generations and cultural boundaries. He first achieved success in the field of graphic design, serving as the influential art director of Fortune magazine from 1948 to 1960 and personally executing such innovative designs as the catalogue for the Museum of Modern Art's seminal photo exhibition The Family of Man. Then, in the 1960s, he embarked on an equally groundbreaking career in picture books, using torn-paper collages to illustrate modern animal fables such as Frederick and Swimmy, which are still beloved today. But even as his books won multiple Caldecott Honors, Lionni - who had begun as a painter - also maintained a fine art practice centered on his Parallel Botany, a richly imagined world of fanciful plants. This volume, the catalogue of a major exhibition at the Norman Rockwell Museum, is the first to present Lionni's extraordinary career in the round. Written by leading scholars and with an introduction by the artist's granddaughter, it is illustrated with abundant examples of his work, including many little-seen items from the Lionni family archives. Leo Lionni: Storyteller, Artist, Designer will be an important, and eye-opening, contribution to the history of art and design.

About the Author

Steven Heller was an art director at the New York Times for 33 years and is co-chair of the MFA Design department at the School of Visual Arts. A widely recognised authority on the history of graphic design, he has written or edited more than 100 books about design and popular culture.
Stephanie Haboush Plunkett is Deputy Director and Chief Curator of the Norman Rockwell Museum. Annie Lionni is Leo Lionni's granddaughter and the administrator of his work. Leonard S. Marcus is one of the world's preeminent authorities on the history of children's literature. He is the author or editor of more than 25 books on the subject; the curator of numerous important exhibitions, including the New York Public Library's landmark show The ABC of It: Why Children's Books Matter; and a founding trustee of the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art.

Reviews
"For those who came to know Leo Lionni through his children's books as I did, this book is an introduction to Lionni as a fine artist and as an art director where he recruited and befriended such luminaries as Calder, DeKoonig, Ben Shahn, and Eric Carle, encouraging them to infuse the commercial design world with "capital A" art... This beautiful book reminds me that I was one of many whom Leo Lionni took by the hand, leading me into the world of writing and illustrating picture books." - Micha Archer
"As a young working professional, I was inspired by Lionni's Fortune magazine covers and his advertising design, and later genuinely surprised by his children's stories and illustrations. He had amazing breadth and depth, all on display in this volume." - Paula Scher
"Throughout Leo Leonni's varied and eclectic work one can see his wit as well as his mid-century design sensibility; formal and geometric, but softened by his warmth and playfulness. The breadth of his career is wonderfully shown in the images and informed writing in this book." - Marc Rosenthal
"This first survey of Lionni's legacy comes out in conjunction with a retrospective of his work at the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, Mass... Suddenly, it becomes clear that, like the chameleons in "A Color of His Own," Lionni had a rare ability to change shades - and retain his signature vibrancy - while moving, seemingly effortlessly, from one realm to another." - New York Times
"The children's book author who was also an artist: Leo Lionni's wide-ranging practice was kaleidoscopic and rooted in a strong sense of justice." - Hyperallergic
"How children's book author Leo Lionni urged his readers to be change makers. The multidisciplinary artist wanted us to imagine how we can shape society and uplift our communities." - Smithsonian Magazine
"A graphic designer and magazine art director, Lionni discovered his talent as a storyteller for children almost by accident." - The Wall Street Journal



Book Information
ISBN 9780789214706
Author Steven Heller
Format Hardback
Page Count 240
Imprint Abbeville Press Inc.,U.S.
Publisher Abbeville Press Inc.,U.S.
Weight(grams) 1230g