In 1980, I was in the third grade. There was a book fair at my elementary school. I remember getting two books. One was a collection of poetry by e.e.cummings, and the other, was a picture book illustrated by award winning artists Leo and Diane Dillon. The art jumped off the page, and filled my heart and soul. I was in love.
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| http://leo-and-diane-dillon.blogspot.com/ |
Since that day, I have been mesmerized by the work of this husband and wife team. Collecting books with their illustrations became a passion for me.
In 1996, I was pregnant with my second daughter, and I was working with my mom at Book & Game Co., an independent bookstore that was a part of our lives for over 20 years. One of the most wonderful things about a career in books, is the chance to attend book shows and meet authors and illustrators. I was 7 months pregnant and approximately the size of a house, but when I heard the Dillons (!) would be in Eugene, Oregon, there was nothing that could stop me from making the trip. Not the 8 hours in the car, and not the hours of waddling around on a concrete floor waiting, could keep me away.
As the day progressed, I jumped at the chance to be first in line to wait to meet them. The line was sooooo long, and started at the tail end of another author's signing line. As I waited, my mother pointed out (a sight I had missed!) that THE DILLONS were standing off to the side waiting to take their place at the table.
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| Leo & Diane Dillon |
My heart skipped a beat.
Nervously, I went over to speak to them, leaving my mother to hold our place. Illustrators aren't like movie stars. Many people don't know what they actually look like, so no one else was approaching them. Eek!
They were kind, and humble, and spoke to me for several minutes, taking interest in my giant belly and treating me like an old friend. The time was coming for them to take their places at the signing table, so I left them and returned to my place in line.
As I approached the front of the table, their publisher came to speak to them. "No personalization" she said. "The line is too long. Signatures only." While I was a little disappointed, I understood. As I waited for them to sign my book, I saw Diane write at the top, "For Jaymee". The smile on my face was probably blinding. And to this day, that book is one of the greatest treasures of my life.
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Leo Dillon passed away four days before the 17th birthday of the baby girl I'd been carrying when I met them. I felt like I'd lost a friend. Wherever you are, Diane Dillon, my heart is with you. Thank you for the inspiration you have given me for all these years.
Xo, Jaymee
Get your copy of To Everything There Is A Season here-
