John F. Gould (1906-1996) was a prominent artist/illustrator for over 70 years and resided with his family in Cornwall, beginning in the early 1950’s. His work for The Saturday Evening Post, General Electric Co., Red Book and Popular Science magazines, to name a few, reflected the serious part of his art life. But he also sketched for fun. And one of his lighter creations inspired a children’s book by a daughter-in-law he never met.
Among the creations he left behind was a sketchpad filled with illustrations of his childhood Teddy Bear, a relic that is still in the family today (although years ago a basset hound chewed off one of its legs).
The pictures show the bear leading an exciting life, meeting Goldilocks, competing in the winter Olympics and flying on a magic carpet that was rented from Hertz. On another page the bear is posing with Teddy Roosevelt, for whom the bear is named.
Five years ago, Robert Gould (a son of the artist) showed the sketchpad to his wife- a retired elementary school teacher and principal (as well as a mom and grandmother). She was immediately impressed.
“I saw a children’s book in the making,” Loretta Gould recalled.
The first step was to give the hero of the story a name. She settled on Barnaby Benjamin Bear. Then she put the pictures in sequence, starting with Barnaby sitting in his highchair.
Next came the story. The author imagined herself surrounded by young children in a classroom. And she wrote the narrative as if she was explaining each picture to them.
Mr. Gould had planned to convert the sketches into large ceramic tiles. But he probably would have been pleased to see his childhood companion in the pages of a book, entertaining children who were born more than a century after he was.
And now coming Friday, August 4 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Cornwall Public Library, 395 Hudson Street, Cornwall, a Teddy Bear picnic with Barnaby Benjamin Bear. This is a drop-in event for all ages, so just bring a blanket, snack and your favorite teddy bear (or snuggle friend) and enjoy a live reading by author Loretta Gould. Artist Paul Gould (son of John Gould) will sketch along for everyone to see while she reads - and you can sketch along too! (All supplies provided). For more information contact the Cornwall Public library at (845) 534-8282 or cornwallpublic library.org.