Puss in Boots
Puss in Boots is another title in Blackie's Coloured Picture Story Readers (for infants). John Hassall illustrated it with simple line pictures among which four (out of eight altogether) are colored. Even the colored ones are made with a limited amount of colors, very likely trying to simplify the process of printing, making the final product as cheap as possible, aiming to widest available audience. The quality of paper where we can often find the mirror images of letters on one page on the other side of the sheet confirms that theory.
Luckily after a few hours of editing, we managed to offer all graphics in relatively good condition. While this is definitely not the best work by John Hassall, it's quite typical with recognizable characteristics of his approach. As you'll see he decided to focus on positive aspects of the story, minimizing the conflicts in this classic fairy tale, and avoiding the gory parts with inappropriate messages.
These are the eight scenes he chooses to portray for the young reader:
1. The miller left three unequal assets
2. What to do with the cat?
3. Puss in boots is surprisingly skilled
4. Ready for some kiss up
5. Poor boy needs fancy clothes
6. He needs some property too
7. King with all his court is coming for inspection
8. Miller's son transformed into Marquis Carabas
Now a suggestion - check how another prolific artist Richard Andre illustrated Puss in Boots (or Master Cat)!