Remember when I mentioned that my old land camera broke, well Jesse gave me the best birthday gift in the world when I turned 32 a couple of weeks ago - a replacement one! This time, upgraded with flash and a better focusing mechanism. I couldn't have asked for anything better.

We took Sebastian to Glen Echo Park in Maryland to ride his first carousel, then we traveled to Niagara Falls, NY to introduce him to his Great Grandmother and a Great Aunt and Uncle, and finally I took my first land camera photo with flash! Well, actually, Jesse took it....but I'll get to take one soon.

About a month ago, Jesse and I took Sebastian to a carnival at an elementary school and stumbled upon their book sale room. Neither of us can resist cheap, old books, especially beautifully illustrated ones. These beauties set us back about 50 cents each. Even though they had been much loved by generations of elementary school students, I still find that an amazing bargain for such fantastically illustrated works.

 White Snow Bright Snow. Written by Alvin Tressel and illustrated by Roger Duvoisin. 1947. The florescent limited colors and simple gestural line work really knock me out!


Ape in a Cape. Words and Pictures by Fritz Eichenberg. 1952.



The Ringling Brothers. Written by Molly Cone and illustrated by James and Ruth McCrea. 1971. I absolutely LOVE everything about this one. I think I need to research more work by this husband and wife illustration team.


 Anatole and the Piano. Written by Eve Titus and illustrated by Paul Galdone. 1966. The original Anatole book was one of my favorites when I was a child, so I was extra excited to pick up this continuation of the story.

My beloved polaroid land camera finally died for good last month. No matter how many times I changed the batteries, film, or tinkered with the wires, I coudn't resusitate it like I had so many times before. It lasted me several happy years and only cost 99 cents from a thrift shop, so I can't really complain.

In memory of it, here's a link to a great article on LIFE.com about Edwin Land, the inventor of the Land Camera with beautiful polaroids taken in 1972 with the first generation of the SX-70 Land Camera by Co Rentmeester. These two are my favorite. Enjoy!