Monday, November 19, 2012

Imogen

The Mother of Modernism
and Three Boys

Thiis post is part of Nonfiction Monday hosted today
by Perogies & Gyoza

And joins It's Monday!
What are you reading?
(pub. 12.11.12) 32 pages 

A True Tale with A Cherry On Top

A uthor: Amy Novesky
       Illustrator: Lisa Congdon

C haracter: Imogen Cunningham

O verview from the jacket flap: 

      "Flash forward. Imogen is a photographer and a mother. She has her hands full! How does she do it all?  She turns the garden into a wonderland for her three growing boys and a workshop for herself. While she works, her boys play, and Imogen photographs them. CLICK. CLICK. CLICK. Photographing her sons leads Imogen to focus on the plants and flowers - most notably her signature magnolia blossoms - for which she will become known."
        
T antalizing taste: 

       "CLICK. Freckled ears and feathered headdresses.
       Glowing birthday cakes. Her three growing boys.
       She photographed her bespectacled father. Her
mother with a crown of silver spoons.
       Imogen found a little beauty in everything."
          
and something more: Last Monday, November 12th, was Imogen Cunningham Day in San Francisco. I was thrilled to attend the book launch party that day for IMOGEN -The Mother of Modernism and Three Boys at a wonderful indie bookstore, Books Inc., in San Francisco.  My writer friend, Amy Novesky, gave a wonderful presentation and shared intriguing anecdotes about Imogen, including meeting one of Imogen's sons, now in his 90s, who also became a photographer. And even the publisher told about a personal connection to Imogen. The founder, Robert Cameron (photographer and publisher of the ABOVE books), actually owned an Imogen photograph.
          My favorite page of the book reads: "And for one hour every afternoon, while the boys napped, Imogen focused on her flowers, including a common magnolia blossom she shot close up." The lovely close-up illustration of Imogen with her camera focused on a blossom echoes the lyrical text.
          The Author's Note includes an inspiring quote from Imogen:

"You can't expect things to be smooth and easy and beautiful. You just have to work, find your way out, and do anything you can yourself."

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