Arno And The Mini Machine

Description

GO BACK TO YOUR CLASS, says the mini-machine. The brightly moving thing flutters into Arno's hand. It feels warm. Attached to a foot is a label, reading- BIRD. Two hundred years in the future, Arno's pre-programmed, machine-controlled day takes an unexpected turn when nature intercedes. Arno wakes each morning when his personalized "mini-machine" tells him it's time. The mini-machine squawks at him all day- "Eat your Instant Mealtime," "Wait for the school jet," "Go to your electric tuba lesson," "Do not step off the Power Path"..... But Arno's curiosity and a little yellow bird lead Arno off his pre-programmed track. "Go Back to Your Class!" squawks the mini-machine with increasing alarm. Arno's mischievousness will delight young readers. And Seymour Chwast's illustrations, including his Seuss-like mechanical inventions, are both charmingly old-fashioned and presciently futuristic. A gentle corrective to our infatuation with electronics, Arno and the Mini-Machine is a sweet reminder of the joy of nature and following one's own path.

SEYMOUR CHWAST is an American graphic designer known for his diverse body of work, and lasting influence on visual culture. Born in 1931, in New York City, Chwast was a founding partner with Milton Glaser of the celebrated Push Pin Studios, where he remains the director. His designs and illustrations have reinvented posters, record covers, ads, animated films, and logos, and have been exhibited in galleries and museums all over the world including MoMA, Cooper Hewitt, and Smithsonian Design museums. He is the author of over thirty books for children including, most recently, The Pancake King (Princeton Architectural Press), four graphic novels, and several typefaces, and has twice been named by the New York Times as among the best illustrators of the year. Chwast is the recipient of the AIGA Medal. He lives in New York City with his wife, the artist Paula Scher.

"For over half a century, Seymour has been creating small graphic miracles. His skill in combining a unique drawing skill with brilliant typography is unique in our professional practice and a whole lot of fun to look at." --Milton Glaser, graphic designer "If there were more of Seymour Chwast's wit and humor in the world that we live in today the prospects for the future would be as bright and colorful as in Arno's world 200 years from now." --Steven Heller, co-chair SVA MFA Design "Seymour Chwast is a master of drawing and storytelling, wryly observing our lives with humor and wisdom, reminding us, with the lightest touch, what is important in this world of ours." --Maira Kalman "This is more than a wonderfully illustrated children's story about a boy who befriends a bird and prevails over the future electronic order. It is a most beautiful work of art for both young and old." --Ben Cohen, Ben & Jerry's "Stylized, highly entertaining cartoon artwork ..... A cautionary tale for our automating times." --Kirkus Reviews