Tom Thumb
Tiny Tom Thumb has BIG adventures as he’s baked into a cake, chomped by a cow, scooped up by a raven, gobbled by a giant, and gulped by a fish. King Arthur’s cook throws him into jail. Though his curiosity often gets him in trouble, his animal friends help rescue Tom and together they save the kingdom. Even a very small boy can be a very big hero!
Watson's extraordinary full-color illustrations highlight his retelling of this old English tale.
Richard retold this old English tale and used his son, Benjamin, as the model for Tom Thumb. His pet mouse also modeled for him, but he was always moving, scurrying up Richard’s sleeve and scampering over his paintings.
Neighbors, Dick and Cinny, model as Tom's parents.
Family affair, Faith and Jesse assist with model shoot. Richard discovered the perfect Merlin at the Murphys gas station.
Poet, Michael Duffett, models as Giant Grumbong.
Benjamin riding his bike, as a stand-in for his mouse stead
Sketch determining the size of a thumb-sized boy and early costume sketches.
The author models as the medieval door-to-door tinker, who freaks out when Tom pops out of the half-baked cake.
Awards and Reviews:
Awarded the Golden Kite Award for the Best Illustrated Book of 1989 Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators
Originals from Tom Thumb were exhibited in the Golden Kite Golden Dreams exhibit at the National Center for Children's Illustrated Literature and in a two-year traveling exhibition in several U.S. museums
Best Children’s Book of the Year, 1989 from the Printing Industry of America
“Not only is ours a great age of storytelling; it is also a golden age of illustration. Richard Jesse Watson’s Tom Thumb will take your breath away.” Connoisseur
“Clearly one of the best illustrated books of this publishing season, this large volume offers an extensive retelling of the old folk tale…The exquisite full-page color drawings radiate texture, feeling and mood.” Chicago Sun Times
“Watson takes an old favorite to new heights in this handsome edition filled with remarkable, eye-catching illustrations…These pictures brim with life. Watson is especially adept at drawing animals; the mice, rabbits, and frogs look as if they are about to spring off the pages. Bold two-spreads mingle with cameo-size pictures, all crafted with precision and imagination. An arresting rendition.” Booklist, Children’s Editor’s Choice 1989
“Every Picture Tells A Story, (Children’s Book Art Gallery in Los Angeles) Lois Sarkisian, owner: ‘The current show at the gallery centers on Richard Jesse Watson’s egg tempera paintings in his retelling of Tom Thumb. There was an incredible reaction to Tom Thumb as soon as it came out. It is a very popular book. It’s beautiful and has an emotional content. Buyers agree. As of last week, 11 of the 20 Watson paintings on display, including the $7000. center spread were sold.’” Los Angeles Times, Calendar
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Tom Thumb, written and illustrated by Richard Jesse Watson
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt 1989 ISBN13: 9780152892814 ISBN13: 9780152892807
A few of this title's foreign editions