| Forgotten Toys Edited by Tiia Toomet Designed by Ruth Huimerind and Jüri Lõun Photography by Tiit Veermäe Tänapäev 2005, 232 pp ISBN 9985-62-360-6 |
A Happy Childhood Edited by Tiia Toomet Designed by Ruth Huimerind and Jüri Lõun Photography by Tiit Veermäe Tänapäev 2007, 240 pp ISBN 978-9985-62-482-1 |
The attractively produced collections contain stories and poems about children’s games and toys. “Forgotten Toys” reflects the period between the beginning of the 20th century and the outbreak of World War II. “A Happy Childhood” deals with the Soviet period of 1940–1960, which falls within the lifetime of people who are now grandparents.
Both books are copiously illustrated. The illustrations do not necessarily follow the text, but show aspects of the world in general at the time. The author made use of the collections of toys at the Tartu Toy Museum, plus illustrations from old children’s books and periodicals, old photos, postcards, bottle labels, candy wrappers, Christmas decorations, and so on. The toys are often placed in surprising contexts. The team of designers consists of Ruth Huimerind (1956), Jüri Lõun (1975), and photographer Tiit Veermäe (1950), whose special style is well known in Estonia.
Awards:
Forgotten Toys
2006 Baltic’s Best Designed Books, 1st prize
2005 25 Best-Designed Estonian Books
A Happy Childhood
2007 25 Best-Designed Estonian Books
