NOTE: I was given a complimentary copy of Chicago Treasure to review. However, all opinions are my own.
Reading means a lot to me personally. I average reading 50 books a year.
I felt it was important to read to my kids so I read to them all the time — at breakfast, before bed, at dinnertime, after swim lessons, snuggled on the couch in the winter, sitting on the lawn in the shade during the summer, as we traveled by car on vacation, as we lay in our sleeping bags as we camped in the mountains.
I carry on that tradition with my grandkids and try to read as often as possible to them. I give them books for their birthday. For Christmas. Or just because.
One gem (pun intended) that I became aware of is the book Chicago Treasure by authors Larry Broutman, Rich Green, and John Rabias.
This book is way different from other children’s story or picture books. In this book, photographs of children are digitally imposed onto photographs of fairytale illustrations, classic works of art, and outdoor photography. Chicago Treasure creates a whimsical world as rich as a child’s imagination.
In the first section, kids’ pictures are put into nursery rhymes, fairytales, and classic stories.
One of the things I like most about the book are the colors in the pictures. They are deep and vibrant. So eye-catching. And the pictures have such great detail!
Like in this picture of Hansel and Gretel.
And The Wizard of Oz. (This was my favorite movie from childhood!)
I loved how the text is made to look like an old-fashioned newspaper! Newspapers are things that today’s kids probably don’t know anything about!
The second section of the book has photos of kids digitally imposed in classical works of art. This one was my favorite!
The theme of inclusion is prevalent throughout Chicago Treasure. Many of the youth whose pictures are used in the book are students at the Judy and Ray McCaskey Preschool at the Chicago Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Disabled.
That makes the third section extra special. Pictures in this section show youth exploring some of Chicago’s landmarks that they might not normally be able to — like this little girl running around the bases at Wrigley’s Baseball Field.
When I read this book with my granddaughters, we spent lots of time reading the stories and looking at the pictures. (Kaylissa, the oldest granddaughter in this picture, is getting very interested in drawing so this book held special appeal for her.) I love the time spent bonding with my grandkids while reading books!
This is an amazing book. Amazing photography work. Amazing art work. Amazing digital illustration and post-production imaging. This book will be a treasured addition to your family’s library.
And now for another good part!
Chicago Treasure is available in hardback for $35. Everything Goes Media, the book’s publisher, is giving all of my readers a 15% discount on this book — and on ALL items purchased from Everything Goes Media. Please use the code CTBLOG15 for your special discount.
Hurry over and order your copy now so that you and your grandchildren can start enjoying this wonderful book!
