My Favorite Things [Hardcover]

From Maira Kalman, the author of the bestsellersThe Principles of UncertaintyandThe Elements of Style, comes this beautiful pictorial and narrative exploration of material culture and the significance of objects in our lives, drawn from her personal artifacts, recollections, and selections from the collection of the Cooper-Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum.

With more than fifty original paintings and featuring bestselling author and illustrator Maira Kalmans signature handwritten prose, the illustrated bookMy Favorite Thingsis a poignant and witty meditation on the importance of both quotidian and unusual objects in our culture and private worlds.

Created in the same colorful, engaging, and insightful style as her previous works, which have won her fans around the world,My Favorite Thingsfeatures more than fifty objects from both the Cooper-Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum and Kalmans personal collections: the pocket watch Abraham Lincoln was carrying when he was shot, original editions ofWinnie-the-PoohandAlice in Wonderland, a handkerchief in memoriam of Queen Victoria, an Ingo Maurer lamp, Rietvelds Z chair, a pair of Toscaninis pants, and photographs Kalman has taken of people walking towards and away from her. A pictorial index provides photographs of the actual objects and a short description of them, enhancing the reading experience.

As it speaks to the universal experience and importance of beloved objects in our livesbig and small, famous and privatethis unique work is a fresh way of examining and understanding our society, history, culture, and ourselves.

This unique collection of art and storytelling includes:

• Personal Artifacts:Explore Maira Kalmans private treasures, from a pair of Toscaninis pants to photos of strangers, each rendered in her signature colorful style.
• Historical Treasures:Go beyond the museum case with intimate portraitslãž