PIATTI FOR CHILDREN

Piatti, the late great Swiss graphic artist and illustrator, was no one-trick pony.

Known internationally for his iconic graphic design, Piatti’s lesser-known work as a picture-book illustrator takes center stage in this omnibus, the first ever to combine in one volume seven picture books illustrated at the pinnacle of his career. Readers witness the spectrum of Piatti’s artistic style, particularly notable when comparing his approach to depicting animals, a common subject across all seven works. Some animals come to life with loose, bold brush strokes, while others are more detailed and subtle with washes of watercolors. The color palette varies by story, yet all boast a distinct ’60s or ’70s sensibility. The stories cover a wide range of topics, from original animal fables and an alphabetic animal menagerie featuring haikulike poems to the Christian Nativity story and a slice-of-life tale featuring a traveling circus. Thick lines and vibrant, glowing colors combine with satisfying textures, making each magnificent animal seem like a work of stained-glass art. Although the focus of the book is the artwork, it also succeeds as a triumph of translation; in the story Animal ABC, translators Beaton and Reid maintain consistency across over 20 rhyming poems. Unfortunately, the gender stereotypes and some of the moral attitudes of Piatti’s day will not resonate with audiences today.

A valuable retrospective to be appreciated by young readers, art scholars, and gift book lovers alike.