Joe Ledbetter is not a name well-known in Furry Fandom, but his graphic art style, influenced in equal parts by both classic animation and (perhaps) M.C. Escher is highly sought-after among collectors of artistic illustration. And now Last Gasp has collected Joe’s works from 2003 through 2008 in a new hardcover portfolio book, Creatures of Habit. The curious (you should be) can check out more about the book (and Joe) at Joe Ledbetter’s web site.
Hardcover Books
Art is Magic
The internationally famous fantasy artist known as Ciruelo has released a new hardcover illustrated storybook called Faries and Dragons — Art is Magic. It’s available from DAC Editions. Weaving together Native American legends and European fantasy traditions, the book tells the tale of two young children — one fond of dragons, the other fond of faeries — who meet plenty of both as they travel far to help a sorceress thwart a forthcoming catastrophe. A review of the book from Amazon.com can be found here.
The Disney Sketchbook
The Disney Sketchbook 1928 – 2008 is a new 144-page hardcover book from Disney Editions, where current and retired Disney animators are given a chance to both show and reflect upon some of the artwork that has inspired them over the years as they worked on the latest animated film projects. This is from Amazon.com: “The Disney Sketchbook 1928-2008 is a glorious, collectible coffee-table book showcasing the rich visual development art by Disney animators over the more than eighty-year history of the Walt Disney Animation Studios (originally Disney Feature Animation). The sketchbook appears as if Disney’s animation artists have passed it among each other through the years, from the early beginnings of the Studios’ work, through the present day. Frequently, current artists have drawn their concepts alongside earlier characters that have influenced their work. In brief but potent text, the current Disney animators will reflect on the inspiration of the artists who have preceded them, going back to the “first generation” of animators who created the Silly Symphonies and early cartoons, to the first Golden Age of Disney animation (Snow White to The Black Cauldron) to the present second Golden Age (The Little Mermaid onwards).” The book will be available in August.
The Dragon Codices
The Dragon Codices series by R.D. Henham is a new series of young-adult hardcover fiction novels for readers with an interest in dragons — as characters, not just as marauding monsters. This is from the publisher, Mirrorstone:
“For fans of The New York Times best-selling A Practical Guide to Dragons, a new series of fantasy fiction focusing on the power of dragonkind. The Dragon Codices chronicle adventures with each of ten dragons of Krynn. From the fiery, evil red dragon to the playful copper, each dragon’s tale is unique. Sindri Suncatcher, narrator of A Practical Guide to Dragons, shared these tales from his travels with library scribe R.D. Henham. Mudd lives a peaceful life in his small town, tinkering with the mill and any mechanical devices that he can find. But his peaceful life soon changes when, out of nowhere, a red dragon attacks, burning the town and kidnapping Shemnara, the village seer. Only one clue is left behind–a cryptic note telling Mudd, “Seek the silver dragon.””
The most recent book in the series is Brass Dragon Codex. An orphaned brass dragon named Kyani ventures out into the desert and stumbles upon a gnome inventor — whose latest invention might just start a war if he and his new dragon friend aren’t careful! Remember, folks: Color dragons are evil, and metal dragons are good. Mostly…
Long Tall Kitty
Lark Pien is a name well-known among graphic novel fans, and now she’s released her first hardcover children’s book through Blue Apple Books. Long Tall Kitty tells the story of the titular cat and his friends — including a bee who’s friends with the flowers (at least the nice ones), a mouse who likes ice skating, and a family of aliens who drop in for a night of fun. Yes.
