Hello to everyone, it’s been really busy at work over the last couple of weeks so hopefully this exciting new entry will make up for the lack of a post last week.
Parsley Parade Front Cover – Young Lions 1972
Last month I was very lucky to find and purchase a 1st edition of the Parsley Parade storybook telling tales from his show The Adventures of Parsley. The book was released in 1972 by Young Lions around the same time as the self-titled Adventures of Parsley storybook. You can see our post on that here.
As well as featuring a vast array of Ivor Wood illustrations it also gives us a great shot of the TV show on the front cover. From an episode called ‘Holiday Time’ it shows Parsley precariously perched on the herb gardens greenhouse ready to make his maiden flight. Looks like Dill the dog is expecting trouble.
For this post I thought I’d share one set of illustrations from a story called ‘Looking into the Future’. Centred around Parsleys crystal ball, it doesn’t take Dill long to highjack the situation. They are some of my favourite illustrations of the Herbs as Ivor perfectly depicts both central characters, Parsleys nonchalance and Dill’s over keenness as he cooks up a new scheme. Also the exaggeration of everyones personalities and emotions are wonderfully rendered and was something that Ivor excelled at. Capturing in one pose the whole attitude of a character whether on screen or drawn out.
The way in which Dills body rises up over the crystal ball sums him up to a tee. Over exaggerated and always wanting to look like he knows what he’s doing. On the other hand Bayleaf looks quietly bemused by all thats going on, tentatively waiting for what Dill will come up with.
Parsley Parade Illustrations by Ivor Wood – Young Lions 1972
Parsley Parade Illustrations by Ivor Wood – Young Lions 1972
After charging to read fortunes Dill ends up eating all his profits. 48 bones! That’ll serve him right.
The World of Animator Ivor Wood 
Glad to see you’re back this week Tom!
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