Thursday, January 15, 2009

Yankees Aren’t the Only Dandy Doodlers

What if doodling, the timeless art of stream-of-consciousness drawing in the margins of important papers (or on whatever happens to be lying around) while some speaker drones on incessantly, were encouraged as a stepping stone to artistic development, rather than denounced as a useless hobby of ADD sufferers? It’s a great question, but unfortunately anyone looking to formally discover an answer will have to get in line behind Taro Gomi, the illustrious Japanese children’s author whose book Doodle All Year (Chronicle Books, 2008) not only promotes doodling as an art form, but provides hundreds of charmingly child-like, barely-there sketches with which to prime the pump.

Gomi, who won our hearts with the unequivocally titled Everyone Poops and garnered widespread acclaim for his Scribbles, Squiggles and Doodles series, gives specific directions at times (“draw a winter rainbow,”; “this horse needs a rider,” for example) but more generally uses the transitions of seasons as a template for children (or grownups, for that matter) to let their hearts/minds/markers run free. Whether one is seeking to encourage youthful creativity, or simply looking for a great book to help energetic youngsters survive the family road trip, one would be hard-pressed to find a more useful tool than this one. You'll be thrilled to hear that Chronicle Books is giving away a free copy of Doodle All Year to one lucky reader. To qualify, visit Chronicle Books, then come back here to tell us which book you would most love to add to your library. Tell us in a second post if you subscribe to Wishing Willow, since our subscribers receive an extra entry in the contest. To post without a Google account, just click “anonymous.” Be sure to also leave your email address. The winner will be chosen randomly. Contest ends 1/23/09.

We have a winner! Congratulations kellyache who said, "Aaacckkk!! I've been wanting to get the Scribbles colouring books forever! For me, Logo by M. Evamy would be a fantastic addition to my design library." Congrats!

173 comments:

Bunny B said...

I would love to get Handmade Hellos: Fresh Greeting Card Projects from First-Rate Crafters
bunnybx at gmail . com

Bunny B said...

Subscriber!
bunnybx at gmail . com

Kaycee said...

I would love the Fertility Facts book since we are TTC again!

kayceewilliams AT gmail DOT com

Anonymous said...

The Alchemist's Cat: Book One of the Deptford Histories

Nora
neneelynn@yahoo.com

VickieC said...

I like the Button Nose book for kids,thanks


vlbelk(at)hotmail.com

ky2here said...

Here's mine: Revolutions in Sound
Warner Bros. Records: The First Fifty Years.

MOMFOREVERANDEVER said...

Revolutions in Sound
Warner Bros. Records: The First Fifty Years.

MOMFOREVERANDEVER said...

subscriber

Christina said...

Christina - xristya@rock.com - I'd love to add Manufractured, from Chronicle Books, to my library. I'm very curious about how artists and craftspeople are taking manufactured objects and adding their own artwork to them in order to create a new work!

Christina said...

Christina - xristya@rock.com - I'm a proud subscriber to Wishing Willow and am so happy to see it in my email box again!

Aprilshowers said...

I would love to read Swimming With Strangers

Aprilshowers said...

I am a subscriber.

Rebecca R. said...

Pom Pom Pals looks fun for my children.
elireeves at stny dot rr dot com

Rebecca R. said...

I am a subscriber.
elireeves at stny dot rr com

Rebecca MacLary said...

Hi!
I'd love the "Manufractured: The Conspicuous Transformation of Everyday Objects" book!

rmaclary@gmail.com

Rebecca MacLary said...

I subscribe.

toohotforturtle said...

I would love to read the Top Chef Cookbook

Xenia said...

I could definitely use the Mom-o-Matic: Makes Being a Mom a Snap book because it sounds hilarious!

Thanks!
xpbloch(at)juno(dot)com

Xenia said...

I'm a subscriber!

xpbloch(at)juno(dot)com

From the Dotte said...

I so want the book KILLER PIES: 50 award winning pie recipes from across North America

From the Dotte said...

I am a subscriber

LissaL said...

I would like to add "Taxi Driver Wisdom" to my collection.
thanks for another great giveaway!

LissaL said...

I have gmail, but am a subscriber through yahoo!

kissmyirishlass(at)yahoo(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I think School Years would be a wonderful gift for my brother-in-laws child. Please enter me in your contest. Thanks. Charlotte
charlottewinters@cox.net

Jennifer said...

Great Giveaway! I would love to add to my collection: Squeaky Green: The Method Guide to Detoxing Your Home

knittingmomof3 (AT) gmail (DOT) com

Leane said...

I would LUV to have "Kelly Slater: For the Love" for my collection.
Doodle All Year is a great giveaway, and will be a great win for anyone. Thanks for hosting this....

Leane said...

I am a loyal subscriber! Thanks for the second chance to win.

Miss Spoken said...

Their Stencil book looks good
gkstratos@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

Aaacckkk!! I've been wanting to get the Scribbles colouring books forever! For me, Logo by M. Evamy would be a fantastic addition to my design library. Thanks.

Anonymous said...

Subscriber!

Sheila Hickmon said...

I would like 52 Things to Try Once in Your Life—Revised Edition!

Laura said...

I would love the The San Francisco Ferry Plaza Farmers' Market Cookbook, yum!
laurachilton {at} hotmail.com

Laura said...

I'm a subscriber too, thanks!
laurachilton {at} hotmail.com

Anonymous said...

I would love to get "Italian Cities and Landscapes: An Architect's Sketchbook"!!

Anonymous said...

p.s.
I'm a subscriber:)

Denise S. said...

I'd pick the Button Nose kid's book.

Unknown said...

I like the top chef cookbook.

Unknown said...

I would love to add Little Hoot to our library.

chrissoolee@yahoo.com

agordon10 said...

First-Rate Crafters would be awesoem to own

judybrittle said...

I would love to add the Sylvia Long's Mother Goose book. Great stories! Thank you!

judybrittle said...

I'm a subscriber.

Unknown said...

Crochet to Go Deck: 25 Chic and Easy Patterns sounds nice! Thanks for entering me.
unforgetable_dreamer_always AT hotmail DOT com

Unknown said...

I'm an email subscriber thanks!
unforgetable_dreamer_always AT hotmail DOT com

Anonymous said...

I would love Amy Butler's Little Stitches for Little Ones: 20 Keepsake Sewing Projects for Baby and More and Kyuuto! Japanese Crafts! Amigurumi!

Both look like really neat books.

thefamilyswan[at]yahoo[dot]com

Anonymous said...

I'm a subscriber

thefamilyswan[at]yahoo[dot]com

mverno said...

i'd like Vunce Upon a Time for my grandson

Wehaf said...

I would love to give The Official High Times Pot Smoker's Handbook to a good friend (and Berkeley resident).

urchiken at gmail dot com

cookiert said...

I'd like The Art of Bolt!

Reiza said...

I've been longing for the The Softies Kit: Instructions and Tools for Creating 15 Plush Pals for a long time.
offthespaceship at myway dot com

Heather said...

My kids would like Pom Pom Pals, thanks.

chromiumman said...

Revolutions in Sound Warner Bros. Records: The First Fifty Years

Anonymous said...

I would like Lethal Vintage -
A Sunny McCoskey Napa Valley Mystery.
-Terra H.
partymix25(at)hotmail(dot)com

Christina G. said...

I'd like to have the The Bride's Instruction Manual. Thanks for the giveaway!

Stacey said...

I like the Button Nose book for kids.

csfish@roadrunner.com

P.S. I'm a subscriber

The Dreamer said...

I'd love to get my son the Little Snowman Finger Puppet book. thanks

adams006 at hotmail dot com

vboackle said...

i like the button nose book.

Denise said...

I'd like several: Cakes for Kids, The Toddler Cafe, the Animal Alphabet flashcards (to use as wall decoration) and I LOVE Taro Gomi's books - all of them!

Anonymous said...

I want the Top Chef Cookbook.

Anonymous said...

I'm a subscriber, too!

37 Questions said...

I need the Mom-o-Matic book. jjdragonfly [at] gmail [dot]com

37 Questions said...

I subscribe via RSS!

toughturtles said...

Dracula's Heir: An Interactive Mystery
Quirk Books

moushka said...

My daughters would enjoy Please Don't Eat Me!

Anonymous said...

'An Egg Is Quiet' sounds great.
ashlomb at yahoo dot com

Anonymous said...

subscribed via yahoo
ashlomb at yahoo dot com

Valerie Taylor Mabrey said...

Swimming With Strangers

Karen said...

Love the Handmade Hellos :)

ktgonyea at gmail.com

Mary A said...

We would love to read The Kid Who Named Pluto. Thanks for the giveaway.

Alice H said...

"Edible Schoolyard: A Universal Idea" by Alice Waters and DAvid Littschwager - in the new releases section - sounds like an amazing book. Thanks for the chance! alicedemske at hotmail.com

Shelley K. said...

I would like to get ParisSmarts: Take a trip.

Thanks for a great giveaway.

tskrush (at) cox (dot) net

Shelley K. said...

Subscriber

tskrush (at) cox (dot) net

Anonymous said...

thank you for the great contest
enter me please
yummy yummy "Killer Pies"
seesessel (at) gmail (dot) com

Anonymous said...

thank you for the great contest
enter me please
yummy yummy "Killer Pies"
seesessel (at) gmail (dot) com

mel said...

Since I love to cook I would love to add "Big Night In" cookbook.

mdhohn@msn.com

annies home said...

I like the top chef cookbook
shopannies@yahoo.com

Marcy Bock said...

The Giant Play and Learn Book looks like fun!

Ginny said...

Pom-Pom Pals: Book and Craft Kit • Instructions for 14 Easy-to-Make Fuzzy Friends

Robyn Wright of Robyn's Online World said...

Love doodle books like these - I'm a doodler always and enjoy others doodles also.

Chronicle has so many titles I like, very hard to pick. I think I would really like to add How To Cook Everything by Mark Bittman - I love his podcasts and his show on PBS.

megan said...

I'd like to own Listography Journal.

Sena said...

I would love to get "Wanderlust"
sena.sagani[at]gmail[dot]com

Sena said...

I subscribe.
sena.sagani[at]gmail[dot]com

Anonymous said...

Besides "Doodle All Year" which sounds way fun, I like "The Printmaking Bible" because it is an interest of mine, to print and create new designs...

Thanks for the inspiring giveaway!

pumpkinlady430@yahoo.com

idahomom said...

Revolutions in Sound sounds good.

Renee said...

Little Hoot looks like a very cute book!
chefskate at aol dot com

Jenna said...

Revolutions in Sound sounds like something I would enjoy. Thanks!

Tracey C. said...

Oooh, would love to add Pressure Cooking for Everyone
By Rick Rodgers, Arlene Ward, Kathryn Russell to my library!

Warmly,
Tracey C.
munchiema at yahoo DOT com

Unknown said...

Manufractured looks like it would be interesting. I'd love to see the photographs of the art.

Unknown said...

I subscribe.

Anna Lloyd said...

I would like all of those books, they look great! "Squiggles: A Really Giant Drawing and Painting Book" catches my eye.

Anna Lloyd said...

I subscribe

MonkeyBaby said...

Oooh, so hard to decide! I'd probably get Super #1 Robot: Japanese Robot Toys, 1972-1982 for my husband!

MonkeyBaby said...

i subscribe

shannon said...

i would choose little hoot for my daughter - she is crazy for owls right now!

Anonymous said...

The Killer Pies sounds wonderful. My kids would love the pom poms. Cool giveaway. I love Taro Gomi's work.

audymoo AT yahoo DOT com

Niki said...

the Manufractured: The Conspicuous Transformation of Everyday Objects" book

Colette S said...

I would love to have I Will Never Forget You
Frida Kahlo and Nickolas Muray

jamaise said...

I have been doing business with Blackbird Letterpress she has an amazing shop at Etsy. My intrest in print making has been teaked I would choose The Printmaking Bible.

jamaisew[at]gmail.com

jamaise said...

I am a subscriber :))

Anonymous said...

Warner Brothers Records: The First 50 Years is something I would love to have in my book collection

jason@allworldautomotive.com

Dee said...

Top Chef cookbook.

Unknown said...

Whamo-60 Years inside the Fun Factory looks cool.

Anonymous said...

So many great Chronicle Books!!
I found the Get Your Sparkle On! Jewelry Kit. I like that it comes with supplies and would definitely use it and learn a lot:)

cyclona66@aol.com

Anonymous said...

I am a subscriber:)

cyclona66@aol.com

Annmarie Weeks said...

Deep Dark Chocolate: Decadent Recipes for the Serious Chocolate Lover. With 60 chocolate recipes, this book looks like something my kitchen bookshelf could definitely use!

Annmarie Weeks said...

I'm a subscriber!

Kari said...

I'd love the Squeaky Clean book about detoxifying your home.

Kari said...

Im also a subscriber!

windycindy said...

The Paper Crafts Kit would be a great book to have! Please enter me in your drawing. Many thanks, Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

windycindy said...

I am a subscriber! Thanks, Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

Juicebox.mom said...

I'd like Swimming with Strangers!

Karla said...

I'd like The Alchemist's Cat: Book One

Anonymous said...

Oh geez. Put me in a bookshop and say, "pick one". I can't do it in real life and I can't do it at Chronicle Books.
However, for the sake of an entry, I have found the one that I would like to get FIRST. I love Architecture so the More Mobile: Portable Architecture for Today looks so very interesting. This is a relax and indulge in architecture book. It's a good thing.

Anonymous said...

Of course I'm a subscriber silly!
imabrat{macbrat}

One Creative Queen said...

I would love to get Creatures and Critters Origami Craft Pad. Really great giveaway - thank you!!

One Creative Queen said...

I aammm subscribed. Don't know why I didn't do this sooner. Der!

Thanks again!

Danielle said...

I would love to read couture interiors. We are remodiling:)

mcginnisfamily5(at)gmail(dot)com

Jayfr said...

Dante's Inferno, the illustrated version, looks very interesting.

demmi said...

The Printmaking Bible
con5459(at)gmail(dot)com

Robin said...

I would love to have The Theater of Insects.

Ordell Knot said...

I'd like to have Sienna's Scrapbook. Thanks for the giveaway!

Ordell Knot said...

I subscribed in a reader.

Anonymous said...

Delicious
The Art and Life of Wayne Thiebaud


clarkmurdock@yahoo.com

rosannepm said...

Duck Rabbit would be my choice
rosans4@comcast.net

rosannepm said...

I'm a subscriber
rosans4@comcast.net

Unknown said...

I like sienna's scrapbook.

Gabriel S-J. said...

my kid would love it.

Please, enter me, great prize!!! I would love to win this.

legab67156 (at) gmail (dot) com

Unknown said...

I would love to add Ivy and Bean Bound to Be Bad to my kid's library collection! Thanks!

sherri419 at gmail dot com

Hanna said...

I want so many books from there! Both Leven Betts Pattern Recognition and Earth Architecture look really interesting. Minka and House also look really cool.

Unknown said...

I need Dim Sum: A Pocket Guide!

ehhogan said...

I would get Ivy and Bean Bound to Be Bad.

Anonymous said...

What great products here. I like the Scrible coloring book and any cat books is great.

Anonymous said...

I'd love the "Manufractured: The Conspicuous Transformation of Everyday. Thanks for the chance to win.
erma.hurtt@sbcglobal.net

paryjeja said...

I would like the Lace Knitting to Go: 25 Lovely Laces to Use for Edgings, Embellishments, and More book.
paryjeja at sbcglobal dot net

Unknown said...

Anna Getty's Easy Green Organic is the book I would pick. My family is trying to eat and be more organic. This would be a good start. thanks amyinkamloops@gmail.com

Brooke said...

I really like Chronicle Books a lot. And I've been coveting Angaza Afrika: African Art Now.

Mighty Morphin' Mama said...

Rex Ray, Art & Design looks very inspiring to me.

mightymorphinmama [at] gmail [dot] com

Mighty Morphin' Mama said...

I am also a subscriber, thanks!

ecky said...

i love Kyuuto! Japanese Crafts: Woolly Embroidery.

elkesten at yahoo dot com

iggysaysno said...

The Swimming with Strangers book looks interesting

Rebecca said...

Any of the Bird Songs series books. My parents have one and my daughter always likes looking at it when we visit.

Rebecca said...

And I'm a subscriber too!

kdkdkd said...

I would love the book Adorn
New Jewelry
Laurence King Publishing

Kristy said...

I would love to have the please don't eat me kids book

dbacksfan001 said...

I would add Swimming With Strangers.

Gabriel S-J. said...

I would like The Art of Bolt.

legab67156 (at) gmail (dot) com

Miss Spoken said...

Top Chef Cookbook would be my pick
gkstratos@yahoo.com

Mommyhood is Thankless said...

Top Chef: The Cookbook!

mommyhoodisthankless{AT}gmail.com

justicecw said...

The Art of Bolt looks like a good one! thanks, justicecw@hotmail.com

mverno said...

killer pies would be nice

Anonymous said...

The Art of Bolt

theyyyguy@yahoo.com

Charlene S. said...

The Art of Bolt. I loved the movie :o)

Jinxy and Me said...

I would like Dracula's Heir: An Interactive Mystery.

artmarcia said...

I would love to add "Delicious
The Art and Life of Wayne Thiebaud" to my art classroom.

chromiumman said...

art of the bolt

janil said...

Difficult choice!!! I choose Julius! by Paul Frank Alphabet Flash Cards, for my kids!

cal_rubies@yahoo.es

janil said...

I'm a suscriber!

cal_rubies@yahoo.es

Thanks!!!!!

Tinyblessing said...

Button Nose book for kids

cdrury said...

cdrury@gmail.com
button nose books for kids would be great

Anonymous said...

Little Hoot

froggypartyof2@aol.com

Steph said...

Another book I liked was Big Rabbit's Bad Mood By Ramona Bădescu.

Leah said...

When Louis Armstrong Taught Me Scat would truly be loved by my scattin' ds! : )))

Thanks so much for this fabulous give~away! : )))

leahita[at]gmail[dot]com

Leah said...

I also subscribe! : )))

leahita[at]gmail[dot]com

ABCD Diaries said...

my daughter would love pom pom pals! thanks:)

klp1965 said...

id love The Handy Household Helper: An Organizer for Receipts, Warranties, & Odds and Ends

klp1965 said...

im a subscriber :)

Hanna said...

Forgot to add that I'm a subscriber!

heppy3 said...

I would like to read the book B Is for Baseball to my grandchildren.

Unknown said...

I would like to add Saveur Cooks Authentic Italian. garrettsambo@aol.com

mrstrooper said...

Windflower A Novel
By Nick Bantock
and Edoardo Ponti

Donna said...

I would like the Little Snowman Finger Puppet book.
donna444444@yahoo.com

Donna said...

I am a subscriber.
donna444444@yahoo.com

/\Heather/\ said...

I've seen this book! Looks cool!
I'd pick: Change the World for
Ten Bucks

Rockin' Mama said...

Charlotte in Paris

jasonncaryn at yahoo dot com