5 Year Old KEMO's favorite book: 

The King with Six Friends

(Well... I'm not 5 anymore and it's STILL one of my favorite books)

My love affair for books AND reading started at an early age thanks to my mom and grandmother. They had me signed up for all sorts of various Book Clubs like: Parents Magazine Press, Golden Press & Disney. So at a very young age I began accumulating quite the little library in the room that I shared with my brother. I absolutely loved every book,BUT of all the books I had-THIS is the one that left the biggest mark on my psyche at age 5. So much so, that I spent a good portion of my adult life searching for it...all I can say is, "Thank God for eBay!" I was finally able to track down a mint condition of this children's book that hadn't been destroyed or defaced in any way ( my brother states that I colored in our copy- but I claim he did because he's 3 years younger and I have no memory of ever defacing a book in my life.), Anyway, when I won the auction for a mint copy of this 50 year old book I nearly shit myself. It arrived 7 days later and I must have read that book over a dozen times staring at the illustrations over and over again. Those pictures immediately brought me back to my bedroom when I was 5 years old!

I decided to share this GEM of a book, I scanned it for you - and I'll probably go to internet jail for doing it, but I don't care, you need to see these illustrations because they're amazing.I've also included my short book report for your enjoyment:

The King With Six Friends is one of those fairy tales that starts with a king losing absolutely everything, which, if we're being honest, is a pretty rough first chapter. Young King Zar is forced out into the world with little more than determination and a talent for making surprisingly useful friends. And these aren't ordinary traveling companions. Each one has an outrageous, almost superhero-level ability that sounds ridiculous until it's exactly what's needed to survive the next impossible challenge.

What makes the story so much fun is that nobody wins by being the biggest or loudest. Every obstacle requires a different talent, and every friend gets a chance to save the day. It feels like a medieval fantasy assembled by someone who understood that the best adventure stories are really about teamwork disguised as magic.

Jay Williams fills the tale with wit, clever twists, and the timeless rhythm of a classic folktale, while Imero Gobbato's gorgeous illustrations make every castle, forest, and larger-than-life character feel like they've stepped out of an old storybook. It's a charming reminder that even a king can't accomplish much alone, but with the right friends, almost anything becomes possible.

EDGE (not the guitarist from U2), always looked like George Washington's younger brother to me.

AGUS, the Elephant man looked like a weird fat clown to me...and his beady little eyes always freaked me out.

I always thought ZAR was cool as shit-he could turn into a snake!

FURZE, the tree dude looked like some sort of 'lint goblin' to me...and for some reason I always stared at his feet... for some fucking reason.

LOVE this illustration. I always thought this picture of DUMBLE was cool as shit-I wanted an action figure/toy of him.

This picture of KINDLE in the book was my absolute favorite for some reason...I would stare at it for what seemed like hours, like a mental patient.

I always loved how the bees were stinging the guards toes..

and the top of the guard's head.

I HATED this 'mushy stuff' in the story...5 year old me didn't need any of this kissing crap in his book.

THE END

I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did

Now a little bit of info on the gentlemen who made this book possible:

Jay Williams (1914 to 1978) was a celebrated American children's author whose imaginative stories have delighted young readers for generations. Best known for blending fantasy, adventure, science, and humor, Williams created memorable characters and exciting plots that encouraged children to think creatively, solve problems, and embrace curiosity.

Williams began writing during the mid-twentieth century and quickly gained recognition for his engaging storytelling style. He had a remarkable talent for making extraordinary adventures feel believable, whether his characters were exploring magical kingdoms, traveling through time, or experimenting with incredible inventions. His books often featured ordinary children who found themselves in extraordinary situations, relying on intelligence, courage, and teamwork to overcome challenges.

One of Williams's greatest successes was the popular Danny Dunn series, which he co-authored with Raymond Abrashkin. The books follow the adventures of Danny Dunn, an inventive boy whose scientific curiosity leads to exciting discoveries and unexpected adventures. The series introduced young readers to scientific ideas through entertaining stories filled with humor and imagination, making learning both accessible and enjoyable.

Williams was also highly regarded for his fantasy writing. His classic collection, The Practical Princess and Other Liberating Fairy Tales, reimagines traditional fairy tales by giving familiar characters fresh personalities and modern sensibilities. Rather than waiting to be rescued, many of his heroes and heroines solve problems through clever thinking, determination, and kindness. The collection remains popular for its witty storytelling and its playful twists on classic fairy tale conventions.

Throughout his career, Williams wrote dozens of books for children, including original fantasy novels, retellings of folklore, and historical adventures. His stories are known for their lively dialogue, memorable characters, and imaginative settings, making them appealing to both independent readers and families reading together.

Jay Williams passed away in 1978, but his books continue to be read and cherished around the world. His ability to combine excitement, humor, and meaningful lessons has earned him a lasting place among the most respected authors of classic children's literature. Today, his works remain favorites in homes, schools, and libraries, inspiring new generations of readers to discover the joy of imagination and adventure.

Imero Gobbato (1923 to 2010) was an Italian-born illustrator, painter, designer, and storyteller whose richly detailed artwork brought wonder and imagination to children's books for more than half a century. Born in Milan, Italy, Gobbato studied at the Liceo Artistico in Milan and later at the Istituto d'Arte in Venice, where he developed exceptional skills in drawing, painting, and theatrical design. His classical artistic training gave his illustrations a timeless quality, combining realistic detail with a dreamlike sense of fantasy. After World War II, he traveled extensively through South America before eventually settling in the United States, where he built a distinguished career as both a fine artist and children's book illustrator. 

Gobbato illustrated numerous books for young readers, earning praise for his expressive characters, luminous colors, and beautifully crafted fantasy landscapes. His illustrations invited children into magical worlds while remaining grounded in warmth and humanity. Rather than overwhelming a story, his artwork complemented the text, adding emotion, movement, and visual storytelling that encouraged readers to linger over every page.

One of Gobbato's best-known collaborations was The King With Six Friends (1968), written by children's author Jay Williams. The fairy tale follows the adventures of the young King Zar, who loses his kingdom and sets out into the world to find his fortune. Along his journey he befriends six extraordinary companions, each possessing a remarkable ability that ultimately helps him reclaim his future. Gobbato's enchanting illustrations perfectly capture the story's blend of humor, adventure, and magic. His elegant depictions of medieval castles, forests, and memorable characters give the classic folktale atmosphere a distinctive visual identity, helping make the book a favorite of generations of readers. The book was first published in 1968 and has since been reissued for new audiences, a testament to the enduring appeal of both Williams's storytelling and Gobbato's artwork. 

Beyond children's books, Gobbato enjoyed a remarkably varied artistic career. He worked as a painter, art restorer, theatrical set designer, musician, and even a naval architect. Later in life, he became well known for his luminous paintings of the coast of Maine, where he lived for many years in Camden. He also devoted years to creating Humbravana, an elaborate imaginary world filled with original artwork, stories, music, and characters that reflected his boundless imagination and lifelong love of storytelling.

Imero Gobbato passed away in 2010, leaving behind a remarkable artistic legacy. Whether illustrating fairy tales, painting coastal landscapes, or creating entirely new fantasy worlds, his work continues to inspire readers and artists alike. His illustrations for The King With Six Friends remain among his most beloved achievements, demonstrating his unique ability to transform words into unforgettable images filled with beauty, warmth, and wonder.

LATER!

 

Let's go to the museum and take selfies!

I went to the Getty Center in Los Angeles the other day for inspiration, ideas and a nice day outta the house. I was all alone, since my wife went home to Rhode Island for a short vacation...while I tried to figure out what the hell I was going to do for Designercon this November. So, I thought I'd treat myself to a relaxing trip to the Getty Center. Well, I've been to the Getty more than two dozen times, and I love it BUT I always forget what a fucking nightmare it is to get into the underground parking. Once you actually make the turn onto Getty Center Drive from Sepulveda Blvd (which is a nightmare unto itself) Your time ranges from 25 min. to 45 min. before you park your car depending on the time of day you reserved your entry into the hallowed halls of the Jean Paul Getty Art Collection. After the delightful short trip up the 'mountain' you arrive at the Italian travertine covered fortress that houses his amazing collection of ARTifacts.

My 'scheduled reservation' was for 11am, and surprisingly I arrived on time. I got in the long ass line to show my reservation ticket; had my backpack searched for guns, bombs OR spray paint and then made my way to the tram that would take me to the acropolis on top of the hill. 

10 minutes later I found myself at the entrance, and began to realize I may have made a horrible mistake..There were kids running all over the place yelling and screaming, large groups of tourists and various social media 'influencers' prancing around and posing for their social media accounts...I wanted to fucking scream. Let me explain. In 2019 I had, what I like to call 'The Incident' which did a number on me, and kind of rewired and/or short circuited my brain a little bit. It altered my brain in such a way that now, I have a hard time dealing with large groups in confined spaces and the handling of multiple simultaneous conversations with ambient noise/music..so yeah, going to a museum on Labor Day weekend was one of my smarter ideas.

I thought that if I started to get overwhelmed, I simply take a break and go outside and relax on the gorgeous grounds for a bit, compose myself and then go back in and repeat as needed. I planned on spending the entire day there so I was in no rush. But I didn't think it was going to be 100 fucking degrees that day...and neither did the rest of the visitors...so the museum was packed with more people than normal escaping the heat and enjoying the air conditioning...I was screwed. Now it was going to be a test of wills, to see how long I could handle it before I started murdering people....and it wouldn't take too long for me to reach that point.

And it all started here-in the Impressionist/Post-Impressionist gallery, the gallery I always start my visits in because I honestly get a kick out of seeing these paintings in person and up close, wishing I could be that free and loose with my brushstrokes instead of the high-strung and tightly wound artist/designer that I am.

I had been waiting patiently for over 10 minutes (from the time I started keeping track) for my turn to inch my way closer to the Van Gogh they have in their collection, for Mr. White Hat to take the perfect photo of his 'influencer wanna-be' girlfriend, that was up to HER standards. This went on forever it seemed, and when they were done I clapped and congratulated both of them on the perfect photo. They weren't amused, but I sure as hell was. By then, it seemed the gallery cleared out of that initial group of people, so I had a minute with the painting all to myself, which was nice until I heard a group of little kids walk in, screaming and horsing around with their parents...it was my cue to get the hell out of there.

So I went to other parts of the museum that weren't as crowded and tried to enjoy myself...

I checked out the MASSIVE pastel Portrait of Gabriel Bernard de Rieux drawn by Maurice-Quentin de la Tour (1739-1741) 79"x59" unframed, but in the Giant gilded frame it's 125"x88"x15"

it really is incredible to view in person, especially if you're into the French Rococo style. I had the room/gallery to myself...so I was very happy.

Then I was surprisingly taken aback by this 1797 painting of the sculptor Philippe-Laurent Roland by Francois-Andre' Vincent...but in particularly, hi hand. The photo doesn't do it justice in the 'color department', there's a lot of subtle stuff going on. I stood there like a complete idiot, staring at his hand. Hands are one of those most difficult things to draw properly, let alone paint-so, I stood there feeling all depressed, looking at this beautifully painted hand.

I snuck into another 'empty' gallery to view another one of my favorite paintings in the Getty's collection by the Expressionist painter Edvard Munch titled Starry Night and a painting by Claude Monet, titled Weeping Willow and the Water-Lily Pond

But my favorite painting in this particular gallery is by the Belgian Symbolist painter, Fernand Khnopff titled Portrait of Jeanne Kefer. I love the composition and color palette, as for the symbolism of the painting: the painting symbolizes the child's vulnerability and uncertainty in facing the outside world...blah, blah, blah. - I always make a point of seeing this painting when I visit the Getty. 

Another favorite piece is this sculpture by Franz Xaver Messerschmidt titled The Vexed Man. I've decided to use this as my new online portrait/avatar as a result of my day at the Getty.

I will end this post with this glorious painting by the French noble portrait painter- Joseph Ducreux, titled Self Portrait Yawning (1783). He was known for his fascination with physiognomy and did other self portraits showcasing extreme expressions (for the time period) that are some of my favorite paintings from that period

I had planned on doing a much longer post about my trip to the Getty, but unfortunately the crowd of idiots prevented me from taking photos and enjoying the art, so I ended up leaving much earlier than I had planned...and before I got arrested for kicking someone's ass. I promised my wife I would behave, while she was gone.