Dutch,
Your eye for detail and creativity are just so amazing.
I'll look forward to sharing these alphabet books with my son in a year or so!
Vickie
PS
You should charge more for your books! They really are worth more than cost.
Oh, wait, lemme order them before you raise the price.
BTW, is there a book on mythology you recommend for young kids?--I cannot remember anything about the Greeks and never learned about the Norse ones. I read the first in Rick Riordan's series for young adults (about a child of the gods in the modern age) plus Helen of Troy and they really piqued my interest.
excellent
I HIGHLY recommend Sara Fanelli's "Mythological Monsters." Most of the books for kids on this subject are far too complex, but Fanelli's artwork is awesome and should keep the attention of most kids around two and older. Juniper LOVES this book.
My inability to find good mythological books for kids under six or so is the main reason I was inspired to make this one.
Narcissus and Helen are terrific. Have you ever thought of writing a new children's version of the classics?
My son is in third grade here in NC. The regular curriculum is crap, but he participates in a gifted program two days a week where the sole focus of study all year has been mythology. It's the only highlight of his week.
The text accompanies the photos in the book, right? Count me in, I want one.
no, I just made that text up on the fly. maybe before I create the lulu book, I'll write something better. something that rhymes?
These are amazing. I love the photography as well as the concept and how it all ties together. Kudos!
Thanks for the recommendation - that's exactly what I was going to ask as well.
Wonderful!
Yes I am interested! My mom studied the classics in college. She is a high school latin teacher who takes her students to Rome every couple of years. She would absolutely love this to share with her granddaughter.
Thanks, Gina
Mother of 22 month old Lucia
There is definite interest. I had great fun sharing your first book with my daughters who are both college students. We all loved the pictures that you used.
I homeschool. And while your art is a bit on the non-traditional side, I think this is just the way to introduce my kids to the stories of mythology. So, yes, consider me interested.
How'd you get so clever? (as would be asked by my 89 year-old grandmother-in-law)
No Demeter and Persephone? That was always my favorite Greek myth.
I don't know whether you like Grimm fairy tales, but Paul O. Zelinsky has done beautifully-illustrated, not-watered-down versions of Rumpelstiltskin and Rapunzel that our Petunia just loves.
For me, I like the idea of text.
I'm slightly freaked out by Medusa - I keep seeing Janet Jackson for some reason!
Wow. Just...wow. I feel like I wasted my year of stay-at-home motherhood. I could have been doing a mythology alphabet children's book.
Wow.
For sure let us order them! I love the first one and will now anticipate the other two in progress ... link us to lulu!
That is the coolest alphabet book ever. I wish I was as creative as you!
Wow! What a cool idea. I'm a medieval literature afficianado (sp) and think it would be so cool if I could do something like that for my kid. Cool!
hell yeah! my husband tells myth stories to our baby son. he responds better now than he did to ovid in utero. so cool. i just bought the other book. keep it going!
Dutch - You should definitely work the text somehow into the Lulu book. It would make it easier for people who love the idea, but forget the myths, aren't sure who they all are, etc. Plus then when a child is a little older maybe they can learn more words from it. I don't know, just a thought.
I'll definitely be buying one of both alphabet books, and I'm waiting impatiently to see the two others you have in the works!
Fucking ROCK. And I say that as a dedicated maenad. My youngest kid is almost 9, but I'm still buying a copy.
Love the book! My kindergarten did a year long project on Greek myths, and they still resonate as some of my favorite stories 18 years later. I loved D'aulaire's Book of Greek myths - the pencil drawings do a lot to visualize what seem to be weird stories, like Cronus eating his children, etc.
D'aulaire's Book is a classic, but I don't think it's illustrated enough for a young kid like Juniper.
As for the lack of Demeter and Persephone, one of the most wonderful (and challenging) things about making these books is that you are limited to what you can find on the street. I did try to make a conscious effort to balance male and female characters (there are an equal number of both).
I've got yer interest right here.
As a fellow Classics nerd (though I specialize in Latin rather than Greek), this book makes my heart soar. Awesome work, Dutch. I don't have a baby, but between the ABC books and the cute pictures of Juney, my ovaries are going nuts.
Don't forget Cupid and Psyche! In my early twenties, I once told that story to my 3 post-clubbing friends driving back to Indy from Louisville, in the middle of the night. They were enthralled.
I'm jealous of your sources. Indianapolis has nothing like this astounding grafitti.
So beautiful.
You would love The Orphan's Tales by Catherynne M. Valente. Just, love. I have your first alphabet book and I can't wait to get this one.
I really was struggling to come up with an image for E. Cupid/Eros would have been perfect!
I agree on the Medusa/ Janet Jackson resemblance. 
This is amazing, I have no idea how you found all this cool graffiti/ sculpture, but I love it. Looking forward to the next two
Fantastic, Dutch. I especially love the fact that there's a god of doorways and change -- that might be the most poignant thing I've read in a long time. I'm willing my friends to forget taking their birth control pills so they'll get pregnant and have babies I can buy your books for.
I'm ashamed to admit that I know almost nothing about the myths. I don't think I encoutered them at all during my education. I really feel like I've missed out.
I would love it if you included the text. It would be a great jumping off point for both me and my son.
Did you take all these pictures in Detroit???
Regarding Nothing but Bonfires comment- I remember standing in the forum in Rome and reading about Cloacina, the goddess of the sewers. Oddly enough I read somewhere that she is also the protector of sexual intercourse within a marriage.
Not sure that's appropriate for a children's alphabet book though...
wow. lovely.
this is so awesome...so creative.
love it, love the way it can be a portal to the myths for us- i remember doing a whole unit on greek and roman mythology back in grade school and it was wonderful.
Delurking for the first time ever to say this alphabet book is beautiful. I would love to buy for my my 19 month old daughter, Lorelei. Looking forward to seeing the other books. Great work!
AH! This is very awesome. I had forgotten how much I loved Greek myths as a kid - there was a board game that I think was called "Juno" or something where you had to defeat monsters from ancient Greece. It was so excellent.
I can't wait to see the other alphabet stuff you do - I don't have kids but I have lots of baby showers to attend lately!
I want one. And maybe this time it won't get stolen from me like the last one. Maybe I should just order two!
Please do the Lulu thing with this one. I bought two copies of the last alphabet book, and I think I'll like this one even better, being a classicist myself. You do great work, Dutch, and consistently model the type of parent I want to be.
Fantastic. I'd love to buy this one, too. Plus the future ones.
Beautiful. I am wowed.
Outstanding. Get thee to a publisher!
Can I suggest you contact Candlewick Press here in MA to get you hooked up with a publisher? They're GREAT...their authors are all considered shareholders in the company and they do good, well designed books.
I'm just saying.
Dutch - while you are a fantastic writer and I am often inspired by what I read here, every once in awhile I come across something I receive as a tad self-righteous/judgmental.
"It's not that I believe this will somehow make her smarter than some aficionado of Dora the Explorer..." You do your best to soften the essence of what you are saying here, despite prefacing with "...I control what culture she is exposed to." I wonder if you automatically reject all things mainstream, perhaps of as a subconscious way of elevating yourself above others (that anonymous majority mass who are merely "average" Americans). Words can be misinterpreted, and I certainly have no claim of knowing the thoughts behind your writings. It may not be what you meant, but that is an unfiltered account of exactly how I received it. I'm sure most of your hard core blog fans here would ever dare admit to you that they - eek - might allow their children to watch a few minutes of Nick Jr. so they can take shower (or shit!) in peace, or purchase a clothing item from Target... but let me assure you it does not make those who do bad (a.k.a. "average") parents. Just realistic ones. Now, I must get back to my kids... who because of my sub-par culture-filtering, can recognize the golden arches from a mile away.
Marcos:
you left out the second part of the sentence, which read:
"It's not that I believe this will somehow make her smarter than some aficionado of Dora the Explorer, it's that I hate Diego and Dora and I am selfish."
Perhaps we don't say it as much as we should (but by saying I think we're emphasizing it too much, because as you pointed out, it doesn't matter): Juniper watches TV. She has jeans from Old Navy. She has sunglasses with Dora on them.
Please don't confuse Dutch's enthusiasm for the fact that our daughter enjoys the stories about Icarus and Medusa for more than it is. It is not judgment. It is enthusiasm.
If I am going to take care of a kid all day, I am going to do it on my terms, it's as simple as that. Here in Detroit I live virtually free from most suburban pressures and complaints, able to create parenthood as the adventure I want it to be. But if you think the judgment does not flow with equal force in both directions, that I am not judged and ridiculed on a daily basis for what I do and how I'm doing it, and that your critique of my decisions is not itself a form of judgment designed to make yourself feel better about your own experience, you are lying to yourself.
Everyone wants to turn parenting into such a goddamn conflict. If I am able to enjoy something I love with my child for a few wonderful years before she becomes ensnared by the popular culture machine no one in this country can really escape, if I want to protect her from it as long as possible, it is because these are strong beliefs and values that I hold dear and not because I want to "put myself above" some random population of people I haven't even met or put you or your children "down." Your kids, your decisions: none of my fucking business.
I have been told that reading about what I think and do has inspired many people, and I am aware that it makes many others feel judged. I also know there are people who read this purely for the enjoyment of judging me and getting pleasure from my perceived foolishness. I don't really care. This is my story. No one has to read it.
Really cool. I understand your enthusiasm for sharing your passions with your children. My nightly reading time with my boys is the same way with me. I get to reread favorite stories and see with joy their excitement. Some of our favorites have been Grimm's Fairy Tales and the Monkey King (Journey to the West. I will have to try your above suggested reading.
I cannot wait to read her Monkey. I read Arthur Waley's translation years ago and it is just about one of the most awesome things ever written.
Just beautiful!
I am raising my daughter bi-lingual and find myself in the same quandry. I am not teaching her my mother tongue to elevate her above the "average Joe" but I want her to have access to a literature/culture she will miss out on if she only learns English. I get a mix of reactions too, some are super-supportive other folks are staring at us as we converse in Marathi (an Indian language). I had one lady ask me if I am doing her a disservice teaching her another language so early? I laughed. My husband and I both learned English as our second languages and then went on to defend our doctoral dissertations in Engineering and Clinical Psychology in English...ummm...I think not.
As an adult I would love this book, I can only imagine how delighted I would have been as a child. Your daughter is a very lucky girl. Also, my boyfriend would LOVE this. Please make it available.
i judge you as a totally rocking parent, Dutch. actually, scratch that, you and Wood both!
reading your kid the alphabet and bringing in mythology?! damn! that's awesome! i'm not a parent yet, but some of the ideas you have are definitely making me think about the sorts of things i'd want to expose my future kids to.
keep it up.
I'm guessing you've already seen this, but if not, "P is for Peanut" seems up your alley. Beautiful photos, unexpected alphabet representations. (A is for Abe, as in Lincoln)
This is gorgeous. I agree with those who recommend keeping the text in the printed book.
A good mythology book for under-sixes with moderate-to-good attension spans is the Usborne book Greek Myths for Young Children. I read it with my son when he was four or five, and he loved it. And he'll still talk about Bellerophon and the Argonauts and others several years later.
http://www.amazon.com/Greek-Myth...78053192&sr=1-
4
I am totally interested in these books - please give us the link. So creative!
To those out there who would choose to think Dutch is elitist or passing judgment on other people, perhaps it would be better to think of it another way. Everyone is different. People who own farms usually expose their children to livestock, milking cows, planting, rodeos, and the like. Musicians provide their little children with instruments and the ability to explore them at will. Artists like me provide just about every sort of art supply available to expose my daughter to creating with her mind and hands. Some people love mainstream TV and Sesame Street and pop culture and have fond memories of playing Barbies as a child. Afficionados of NASCAR often get their kids little mini cars like their favorites on the track. You get my point. Dutch isn't elitist. He likes classic mythology. He studied it. He doesn't like mainstream TV much, and wants to craft Juniper's experiences of her father in her memory a different way. That doesn't mean he thinks any less of other parents and the tools they use to do their jobs. We don't all have to do it the same way to be doing it the "right" way for us, or a good way altogether. There are MANY ways to skin a cat, and I happen to really appreciate the way he and Wood raise Juniper, the things they find interesting to share.
Okay. I'm off the soapbox. :o)
I love this more than words can say! One of the things I remember most about my middle school education is learning about the greek gods, and I think I'll buy this even though I don't have kids. Send the link!
I love this one even more than the first one! The idea of sitting down to read the alphabet and then going over myths together is so awesome. I think we'll do some myth-reading together sometime soon, because my inner geek has been deprived of Greek mythology for too many years.
This is awesome. I missed the other book, but I am ordering this one. I agree I wish it had text. Please put me on your mailing list! Sarnia, Ontario, Canada
This is beautiful! Wow! These would also be great as art, printed on canvas and museum-stretched, in a living room or so ... I'd certainly hang them.
YES! That Ulysses one is my favorite thing ever of all time.
Well, not counting food and sleep and sex.
Brilliant. My daughter loves the Greek myths and knows them all quite well - I should get the book for her. She's 13, tho - think she'd still like it? (I do!)
dutch you are such a total homeschooler...nay dare I say even unschooler.....
this totally rocks and I am getting one....I LOVE greek myths and so do my girls who also want to marry diego.
it all works out in the end, dude...no worries
I really, really want to buy this book! Very creative and beautiful. I'm so inspired by this book and your blog Thank you!
Dutch and Wood - I am so entertained by your blog AND your passionate responses to comments!
But here's the real question ... are you going to Tulip Time this year? : )
Add me to the future customers list! I'd love to use it in my high school English classroom, allowing my students to make up their own myths based on the images in the book. This is beautiful and well-conceived and makes me look at the graffiti in my own city differently.
I cannot get over how perfect the image for Narcissus is -- the eyes, the reflection, and the shadowing are very impressive interpretations of the character. I wonder how much variation there is between your interpretation (which I love) and the artist's intentions. WELL DONE!
thanks constance-- narcissus is one of my favorites too. I had another image that was more "narcissus like" but I thought the way the context of the photograph created the myth as much as the graffiti itself.
I also really liked Cassandra--- the graffiti "noise" around her really seemed to evoke the anguish of knowing the future---with all its death and destruction---but having no one willing to listen to you.
after cassandra's comment this sounds even more dumb- but i love on the cover the words "no beef." can't we all just adopt that as our parenting motto? no beef? you tag it up your way and i'll do the same, and we can just view each other's work with appreciation and give each other mad props? word.
sorry, that was my lame attempt at being cool, with much tongue in cheek. all i'm saying is i find that most of my judgment of others stems from my own doubts over my choices, not b/c i truly, deeply and morally disapprove of someone else's choices. wood, your comment reminded me of 'true mom confessions' "my child wears jeans from old navy" made me laugh my ass off, so thanks.
Love it and am full of admiration. I can't wait to order at least two -- one for my 5 year old nephew and one for my 36 year old husband (his minor field is ancient Greek art). The images are so darkly beautiful -- which is entirely appropriate, eh? Really beautifully done.
Provided our persnickety reproductive parts decide to grant us offspring, I will totally buy this book for our kid.
Who am I kidding: I'm not that smart. I'm sure I could learn a thing or two about the alphabet - even at age 28.
Fantastic! I would buy at least two before even getting into them as gifts. Would you consider doing them in hardcover, or is it crazy expensive?
I'm giving my mom the urban alphabet at mother's day, as she collects children's books and is a calligrapher. There aren't enough interesting alphabet books out there, and I know she'll be thrilled. Thanks!
I am so buying 2 copies of this - one for my daughter and one for my old college roommate, the classics major.
"Sing, Goddess, sing of the rage of Achilles, son of Peleus—
that murderous anger which condemned Achaeans to countless agonies..."
First year of college, I had an entire three hour class on the single word 'rage' from this most famous of first lines. I love classical education, and good start on opening Juniper's mind to these ancient myths.
One more comment because I just can't help myself. Dutch -- I have to admit I haven't thought about Cassandra for years, but when I just read your reply I suddenly remembered how I read as Cassandra in one of my High School lit classes. We were each assigned parts our teacher thought were reflections of us and I was Cassandra. I have no idea what that says about me, or what it said at the time, given that I hope I'm not still as I was when I was 17, but you have just jarred my memory back 12 years and for that, I thank you.
I loved the first book and this one as well. I bought two of your alphabet books and would definitely buy this one, too.
Two things. Can you please, somewhere inside the book, include the breakdown of the letters as you have here? I gae one as a gift and they couldn't figure out some of the letters. Also, sell these for profit!! They are really neat!
Michelle - it looks like you can still order the first alphabet book here.
When you first posted the original alphabet book pictures, I may have actually gasped when I saw Icarus. I'm not sure why, it just made me very happy. That, and maybe the surprise of seeing Icarus in an alphabet book. I just bought my copy a few weeks ago.
While I really like that the first book doesn't always have an obvious correlation (I'm still making up my mind about E), I think some text would be good for the new one. Otherwise I'm going to be making notes all over it. I'll be real impressive trying to show this to my nephew: "Let's see, Q was some queen and, um, who was that R guy? Redhead?"
Incidentally, I know you don't like the idea of making money on these books since others created the original art, but books of photography are sold all the time on this premise. Of course, that's your call.
Detroit has way better graffiti than Indianapolis.
1) My 8-year-old has a passion for ancient civilizations, and his obsession began with Greek mythology (still his favorite). He'd love this book.
2) I'm a huge Helen Levitt fan, so I get a special thrill when you post one of her images.
3) I have no idea why I've made this post into a weird numbered list. Sorry about that.
4) Every time I log on here I can't get "Dutch & Woody on the Slow Train to Peking" out of my head for the rest of the day. I have never found mention of the song on this site, but surely it must have played some role here?
ps: The 8-year-old mentioned above named his dog Athena, because she was the goddess of wisdom and handcrafts.
This is beautiful; I'd love to buy one for my little girl. Your "to do" list surely must put mine to shame if it includes projects like this
Also, I like what pnut's mom said about "no beef." Parenting is hard enough. We should have eachother's backs more often.
I want one. That is all.
dork.
blogger.
Goes without saying.
ps... storytelling by parents. printed. pirated. published. borrowed or original. all beautiful.
That is utterly amazing! Thank you so much. I'm actually lost for words so why I'm commenting, I dont know - just had to let you know how extraordinarily fabulous I think this is!
Thank you for doing this. Ever since my husband told my 2 year old daughter the story of Icarus, she asks "Daddy, talk more about Icarus?" at the breakfast table all the time. It's not easy finding age appropriate mythology materials and you've pointed me in the right direction. Thanks!
My dad learned ancient Greek just for fun when I was in elementary school so naturally D'Aulaire's book quickly became one of my favorites (I still have it). He used to take me outside at night and teach me all the constellations over and over.
I would be interested in a book as well- my mom is a librarian at a charter school in rural Florida. This would be a great addition to their library because those kids need all the culture they can get. I don't know how you feel about that...
Fucking genius.
Pretty cool book. Need to buy one,
Back, again, because I so love this that it almost hurts.
And to say this: if you do a version of this with ancient Greek alphabet, I will buy every single one of them and go stick them inside the covers of every creepy Dora/Elmo/Princess book that lines the shelves of my local bibliohellstore. And maybe in WalMart too, for kicks.
And then maybe, just maybe, the gods won't be so fucking pissy me with me.
Dutch, these are incredible, just like the last alphabet book pics were. It makes me realize that I need to do a better job of looking around me and seeing the art that is apparently everywhere.
I'm smitten.
If only T were for Thalia, the muse of comedy. But I can see where Theseus might usurp her position.
I just decided like 2 weeks ago that I was going to start to teach my 4 year old some greek mythology, for the same selfish reasons you mentioned.
I can't wait to order a copy. They look amazing.
And, I'm another Sweet Juniper lover.
Dera
Wow. This is truly outstanding! I don't even have kids and I love it!
Were all of these pictures taken in Detroit? I've been reading your past entries, which are of interest to me because I was recently transplanted to Dearborn and have thus far, in spite of my adventurous spirit, been afraid of exploring Detroit. It frustrates me because I've lived in many places and never been afraid of exploring them, until now. With the warm weather I am gathering my courage though, and I have been to Belle Isle (I'm thoroughly intrigued), the Eastern Market (probably worth living here by itself) and I've driven through the city a couple of times. Reading your entries is helping me to realize that the beauty of the city is well worth overcoming the fear of it's nasty reputation. Your blogs also amuse me more than any that I've read in a while
Once again, Dutch, brilliant. Keep these books coming. I especially love Sisyphus.
Okay, so I just stumbled across your site so I suppose I am really late in commenting on this but...what is the deal with these books now? I clicked the link to Lulu and they aren't there. I'd really like to get one for my daughter.
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