William Stobbs (1914–2000)

English picture-book artist William Stobbs uses the text of John Mason Neale's beloved Christmas carol in this holiday title, pairing the famous verses with his gold-accented illustrations. Each two-page spread is devoted to one verse or half verse, and shows Good King Wenceslas looking out at a snow-covered world, seeing a peasant carrying kindling, and asking his page the poor man's identity. The final pages are devoted to the king and page as they set out through the stormy night to deliver food and logs to the peasant's hut...

Although not particularly drawn in by the cover of this version, which looked a little cartoonish to me, I decided to request Stobbs' Good King Wenceslas when I saw my library had a copy, given my interest in picture-book presentations of Christmas carols. I'm glad that I did, as I enjoyed the interior artwork far more than the cover illustration. Stobbs' palette is deep and rich, with beautiful, vibrant shades of blue, purple, green and orange. His composition felt a little Chagall-like to me, whereas his use of gold-ink accents throughout reminded me a bit of the illustrator Demi. I think my favorite spread here was the one in which a gold-crowned Wenceslas forges ahead, with a golden angel flying over him, a page following after him, and a group of golden-eyed wolves looking on from the woods:



Although certainly not my favorite picture-book presentation of this carol (that would be either the Manson or the Ladwig versions), this was well worth seeking out. Recommended to readers who enjoy seeing Christmas carols in picture-book form.… (mere)