Meet my friend, Ward. You might know him already? He’s a talented artist, children’s book illustrator, graffiti artist, collector of all things fabulous and mid century and he just so happens to be married to one of my favorite people on the planet, the lovely Andrea aka Hula Seventy.
I met Ward back in the olden days of Flickr. He was the man behind a group called The Retro Kid, which showcased the best of the best children’s books from the 40s-60s. And let me tell you what: this guy really knows his stuff. He’s kind of an expert and his Flickr is a sort of mid century design museum. Book pages and pieces of ephemera featuring the best mid century design, type and illustration you could dream up have been meticulously scanned. He’s also incredibly informative about printings, authors, illustrators, etc. If you’re into this sort of thing, here is Ward’s Flickr. You’re welcome. 
Also? Any guy who will dress up in a chicken suit to go read his new book at his kid’s school is a totally cool guy in my book.
Bonus points for having the coolest home office space, in the history of home office spaces.
High fives, Ward Jenkins! You rock.
:::
I happen to have a copy of each of his latest books: New York, Baby and San Francisco, Baby to send to one lucky person. Leave a comment and I’ll select a winner via random.org. This is not a sponsored post, I’m just happy to share these books with you. I’ll be back later today with my official sign off! XO
{ 43 comments… read them below or add one }
Can’t believe there will only be one more post! Thanks for all your hard work, I’ve loved reading your and I hope you have many great offline adventures ahead of you
Andrea is also one of my favorite people. And I would be psyched to win one of Ward’s books! I can’t believe you blogged here for a decade and I only just found out about you right before you shut it down. But all the best to you!
Wow, Ward does some very snazzy work. Thanks for showing him off, Jenny!
I’ve been following Wardomatic’s work for some time now. His illustrations are so whimsical and beautiful. Although I live in LA, NY and SF are two of my favorite cities. Either one of these books would make the most wonderful addition to my baby girl’s library.
Loving the illustrations! His books look amazing! Fingers crossed x
I can’t remember how I found out about Ward but I’ve been following his work for a while now. That is probably one of the greatest things about the internet – being able to find and follow outstanding artists so closely. I would love to win Ward’s books so I can read them to my kids, (who are 14, 21, and 25 but probably won’t think it is too weird considering it is me).
I have peered into that beard and lived to tell the tale! Super talent, and I want those books! New (FIRST) grandbaby needs a Ward Jenkins infusion!!
love me some ward jenkins. such great work.
love, all around. i kinda, sorta wanna be ward when i grow up. or hide in his beard and go on adventures with him, secretly, and mostly to steal some of his and andrea’s ideas and creativity. but that would be mean. so i’ll just ooh and ahh from afar. for now. bwwwaaa haa ha ha.
thanks for sharing!
I LOVE this! Kids books rock!!
Fun artwork!
Thanks so much for sharing this!!! Love his work, his colors, very neat. Something new for my son, yay!!! Beautiful Ward!!!
love these. so. very. much. i’d love to give them to my goddaughters–who live in new york but have a mama from san franscisco!
Jeepers…gorgeous design & illustration.
LOVE that home office! What an amazing talent, to be a great illustrator. I’d love one of those book! Thank you for sharing Jenny
could there be a more talented couple? i think not. ward & andrea are the bee’s knees.
Ward seems pretty awesome, as do his books. I kinda love him for storing pencils in his beard. Ingenius, that is.
I knew him when he was clean-shaven!
Beautiful illustrations! I love that he can store pencils in his beard.
How cool! I think these would be great to start a new book collection for my daughter who is turning one in two weeks
I knew Ward back when I was in high school and he was in college. He made awesome posters for a group we were trying to promote at our school. I’m a big fan of everything that he and Andrea do.
I have “T.Rex” and “Chicks” already, but haven’t taken the chance to acquire the new “Baby!” books.
I love Ward!!! His work is amazing!!! Thanks for the chance!!!!
These look pretty darn cool! I’d love to win these for my kiddos…and myself ;-p
I’ve admired Ward’s art (and beard) for years- but don’t have any of his books- my kids would love ‘em!
Also- total sad face over here about that “last post” business.
Thank you for introducing me to Ward! I love the look of his books and the office!
Ward is pretty badass. I love his illustrations!
any guys who dresses up like a chicken to read books to kids is pretty rad. winning books, gotta be the best prize ever.
i want to win.
Thank you for introducing me to Ward! I am sad that there will only be one more post, Jenny. But I wish you and your cute little family all the best. Xo
He is amazing! And I’m sniffling a little today. My baby turned one and you’re signing off!
My daughter is totally into New York city right now! This would be awesome to win.
Oh I spent way too much time looking through his Flickr account! What an impeccable collection he’s scanned!
xo
Ward is supercalifragilisticexpialadocious!! And you are too Jenni!! Will miss ya lots!
Cool to see his studio space. He proves why all artists should have big bushy beards – to hide their art supplies in!
He is very talented, and I gotta give him props for wearing a chicken suit to read to the kiddos!
Love his illustrations!!!! That studio space is heavenly!!!
Thank you for sharing the wealth! Ward is amazing!
How fantastic! Fingers crossed
Love his illustrations! And his work space is so fun & inspiring! Not to mention that chicken suit!
I love his illustrations. Thanks for sharing!
Oh my, I’ve been coveting one of his books for a while!
And that home office is just amazing!
I love Ward’s work! What an absolutely lovely giveaway. My two-year-old {his name is Henry, too!} and I would love to read these books together.
{also, I just read your Very Last Post (TM), and my lip got all quivery. I’ll miss stopping in to see what you all are up to! You’ve inspired me for years, Miss Jenny!}
Jenny this is so generous of you!
awesome! we would love these
thanks for the chance