The Talking Book n Antipodian Alice

Alice's Journey by Charles Blackman

The Australian artist Charles Blackman was raised in a home without books. As a child, he wasn't read to. He first heard Alice in Wonderland read on a 'talking book' when he was an adult. His wife, Barbara, was going blind and she listened to Alice in Wonderland so he listened too. His audio experience of Lewis Carroll's story led to his Alice series.

Even though I'm not a kid anymore, I love being read to. Did you know that you can get FREE mp3 and Ipod audio book downloads, including Alice in Wonderland, HERE and HERE. I know it's not the same as being read to by a loved one but I say yay for always having somebody to read to you!

Here are a few more Alice inspired art works from antipodeans.

I wonder if I shall fall right through the earth! How funny it’ll seem to come out among the people that walk with their heads downwards!

Print from Fee Harding of Burnt Feather

The Antipathies, I think – (she was rather glad there was no one listening, this time, as it didn’t sound at all the right word) ‘– but I shall have to ask them what the name of the country is, you know.

Waist Cincher from the Little Orchard

Please, Ma’am, is this New Zealand or Australia?

Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee from Redmag

(and she tried to curtsey as she spoke – fancy curtseying as you’re falling through the air! Do you think you could manage it!)

Literary Ladies Sculpture from Light and Shade

And what an ignorant little girl she’ll think me for asking!

Hookah Smoking Caterpillar, crocheted, 30cm high from Jellibat

No, it’ll never do to ask: perhaps I shall see it written up somewhere.