The Secret Kingdom by Michele and Richard Bledsoe

The Secret Kingdom, a new children's book of poetry by Michele and Richard Bledsoe features over 20 years' worth of  Michele Bledsoe's artwork.  Michele Bledsoe's original art has been featured in art galleries- and finally, is now made available to readers of all ages in this incredible book.  This ambitious piece of work is destined to become the next children's classic, earning its place with the beloved works of Silverstein, Sendak, Mother Goose and A.A. Milne.  In fact, I believe no children's library will be complete without this book.

 

This compendium of art and poetry is a book to be treasured and passed down from generation to generation. Years later, the children of today will certainly be reading this book to their own children.  Perfect as a bedtime story book, it can be read and re-read.  The quality of art is unparalleled in this day and age of cheap, quickly drawn cartoons.  The "Tolkein-esq" poetry will appeal to readers of all ages, young and old alike as well as to children and their parents.  The poetry speaks to the reader with vivid imagery.  As the title indicates, to open its pages is to enter a new world; a new kingdom; The Secret Kingdom: forbidden, inviting, and mysterious all at the same time.

This book reaches out to a broad audience in the literary world as well as the art world making this the perfect gift for a young child or fine art enthusiast. In this modern literary age, it is certainly rare to find a newly created classic- but the Bledsoes have accomplished just that.