"Oxygen Keeps You Alive" by Franklyn M. Branley, illustrated by Don Madden (1971)

DON MADDEN attended the Philadelphia Museum College of Art on a full scholarship. Following graduation, he became a member of the faculty as an instructor in experimental drawing and design. The recipient of gold and silver medals at the Philadelphia Art Director's Club exhibitions, Madden's work was selected for reproduction in the New York Art Director's Annual, in the international advertising art publication, Graphis, and in the Society of Illustrators Annual.
In addition to being the author of "The Wartville Wizard" and "Lemonade Serenade: Or the Thing in the Garden," Madden is a well-known children’s book illustrator who has worked on a variety of projects, including "Incognito Mosquito," and many books in the HarperCollins Let’s Read and Find Out series. He lives in Ballston Spa, New York. 

"Mommies" by Lonnie C. Carton, illustrated by Leslie Jacobs (1960)

My Retro Reads wishes all the wonderful & amazing moms out there a very Happy Mother's Day!

"May I Bring a Friend" by Beatrice Schenk De Regniers, illustrated by Beni Montresor (1964)

BENI MONTRESOR (1926 - 2001) was a versatile Italian artist, opera and film director, set designer, author and children's book illustrator. He won the 1965 Caldecott Medal for U.S. picture book illustration, which recognized Montresor's jewel-like illustration style of May I Bring a Friend?. The Italian government knighted him in 1966 for his contributions to the arts.

In an essay Montresor wrote for a book about his artistry published in Italy in 1995, he said that for both the opera stage and children's books, ''I must astonish and amaze myself first, and if I do, then the spectator will react in the same way.''

He added that he liked to visit schools for inspiration. ''I often go and visit schools and bring my books,'' he wrote. ''I give no comments nor explanations. I just sit among the children, open one of my books and ask, 'What is this?' 'Why?' ''

Learn more about the illustrator.