"Mr Picklepaws Popcorn" by Ruth Joyce Adams [author's 1st book for children], illustrated by Kurt Werth, special Scott, Foresman and Company Edition for Teacher's Read-Aloud Library with special arrangement with Lothrop, Lee and Shepard, 1965.

Illustrated hard boards ["Harrell" is written on top of the front cover; "Northside ’77" on the back cover: see photo]; large format: 8.1/2" x 11.1/4"; unpaginated, 34 pages, fully illustrated, some wear; "Harrell" and residue of the removed label inside back cover, very good condition.

"When Mr. Picklepaw stores his popcorn in a sheet-iron shed and a very hot day comes, the whole town enjoys the result. A tale of sharing and laughter."

Kurt Werth (1896-1983) was a German-born American illustrator best known for his children's books.

Werth studied at the Hochschule für Grafik und Buchkunst Leipzig in Leipzig beginning in 1913. His professor was influenced by Cezanne, although the public wasn't yet aware of the new trend of cubism in art. At the Academy, Werth studied the new graphic techniques and tried them out as illustrations of literary works. After graduating, Werth began to illustrate books, the first being Shakespeare's Troilus and Cressida which was well received.

Werth moved to Munich, Germany after graduating, to draw satirical cartoons for various Munich magazines. In 1928, he and his wife Margaret moved to Berlin, Germany were he continued to draw satirical cartoons for Berlin magazines.

In 1939, the Werth emigrated to the United States where he found employment illustrating a Sunday column in the New York Times magazine.

After the war Werth began to illustrate children's books. One of his first attempts was Rosalys Hall's "The Merry Miller". This attempt led to many other offers for illustrating work.

Werth states, "As a German I was certainly influenced by the tradition of exact and thorough training in drawing. This goes back to Durer and even farther." He attempts to illustrate children's books in a "modern style". "Books have to be illustrated in our times. They should show the style of our times. Not all of them do it."

US: Priority (c.2-4 days) --------- $12.50
Canada: 1st Class (c.2-4 weeks) -- $28.50
World: 1st Class (c.2-5 weeks) --- $42.50