Can you imagine meeting a step-relative by marriage of Douglas Fairbanks, Sr? Yes, the silent film star that married Mary Pickford. We did, and it was beyond interesting. (How many degrees of separation would that be?)
Here is how the meeting began. While friend Betty was visiting the eye doctor in Abilene, Texas, Ever-Lovin’ and I thought we would visit the National Center for Children’s Illustrated Literature (NCCIL). Betty thought we might enjoy this museum..
To our dismay, the museum was closed on Mondays. Bummer! I know those people need a break, but didn’t they know that this former second grade teacher wanted to see illustrations of some of her favorite children’s books. We were peering in the windows when another car drove up. A lady got out of the car, and then she too realized that the museum was closed. Said lady mentioned how much she hated that the museum was closed (and we agreed) because she had wanted to talk with them about a book Letitia Fairbanks had written and illustrated titled Princess April Morning-Glory. Since Kelly (that was the lady’s name) couldn’t talk to the people at NCCIL, she talked to us. – I loved it!
This is when it got interesting. Now I do NOT have the facts straight, but….here is what I remember. Letitia Fairbanks was Douglas Fairbanks Sr.’s niece. Kelly was Letitia’s Fairbanks’ step-daughter. Kelly loved the story and illustrations of Princess April Morning-Glory. Kelly and her husband decided to republish Princess April Morning-Glory. Originally only the text of the story had been published, but with new technology now the delicate watercolor paintings could be reproduced.
The charming story of Princess April is a modern-day fairy tale. The tiny fairy is dissatisfied with her life because her wings are too small, and she cannot fly. She leaves the Enchanted Forest only to find herself alone and in danger in the Great World. She learns that life has consequences, and she cannot return. Along her journey she is aided by several creatures, and eventually she meets with the Wizard. He tells her that in order for her to be able to return to the Enchanted Forest she must accomplish three good deeds. That is Princess April’s challenge. It is such a charming story.
Then there are the illustrations. Oh,my! The illustrations put this book into another category because the characters’ portraits are based on legends of Hollywood.
This is from the Amazon review:
Letitia was inspired to create portraiture for the characters of Princess April Morning-Glory from film stars of the day. John Barrymore, and Letitia’s cousin Douglas Fairbanks Jr., provided glamorous inspiration through their then-current films. The Wicked King’s (Barrymore) costume was sparked by his role as Louis XV in Irving Thalberg’s 1938 Marie Antoinette, while the hairstyle resembles his eponymous role in Archie Mayo’s 1931 Svengali. Prince Chivalry was inspired by her cousin’s (Fairbanks) sword-fighting role in David O. Selznick’s 1937 The Prisoner of Zenda.
Talking to Kelly was very enjoyable. At the end of our visit, she gave me a copy of the book, and I told her I would share it with my readers. This story is charming, and the illustrations are interesting and beautiful. Truly this project has been a labor of love for Kelly and her husband. I wish them well on their journey.
Blessings to you and yours,
Go to their website sandramentos.com for more information. There are links on this site to do3gooddeeds.com where children and adults are encouraged to do three good deeds daily. (Real princesses do three good deeds daily.) There are even suggestions of good deeds that can be done. I like that!
“What kind of a world would you create if you had to do three good deeds to make it home again?” (From the cover of Princess April Morning-Glory.)
The book is available from princessapril.com or other online retailers. I make no money – just sharing.
The next time we plan a trip to Abilene I hope it isn’t on a Monday. I still want to visit NCCIL