A couple of summers ago when we went on our librarian zine tour we talked about getting matching tattoos. While I love the image of the zine mobile, it just didn't feel like something I could commit to tattooing on myself (nor the pink Z that was also discussed). We went back to our regular lives, but the topic would continue to come up. Finally, since Jenna was going to be in town this week we decided to just do it already. If not get the same thing, then at least get tattoos together. But what to get?
A few years ago I discovered that the well-known children's book writer and illustrator Lois Lenski had created a set of alphabet blocks. The Jackson Library at the University of North Carolina - Greensboro has a set in their collection of Lois Lenski Papers (as does Syracuse University). I contacted them and asked for a scan of the E block which they kindly (and for a small fee) provided. I had this CD with the images, which also include little train drawings by Lenski on the non-alphabet sides of the blocks, for a while with the thought that I might like to get one of the sides tattooed. I'd read a number of Lenski's books to E, my kiddo, including the The Little Train and The Little Fire Engine when he was in his vehicle obsession phase. I thought this would be a nice homage to not only the kiddo as a kid, but also to my love of children's books.
The Lenski E block.
It was also about all I could commit to at this point. Simple and meaningful. So yesterday we did it. Jenna got her zine mobile tattoo that is very cute with its pink wings and flying zines. I'd asked E the day before what his favorite color is with the thought of getting the block in that color. He responded blue, so blue it was. I chose a more turquoise shade of blue than the block. And there it is.
For little E, my sweet curly-haired wheel-loving boy.
