August 10, 2017

Portuguese Publisher reprinted Jan’s “João” Children’s Book

August 10, 2017/ John Balet

When a Portuguese university professor found our website… he also found a way to reconnect with his childhood

November 30, 2016

Even Santa Can Have Too Many Cookies

November 30, 2016/ John Balet

Jan put a hint of humor – and humanity – in all his works – even the cards he created for his friends.

November 10, 2016

Balet Books Go to the Fair

November 10, 2016/ John Balet

Making connections with the art lover – or in this case – the book lover...

December 17, 2015

Jan and Santa

December 17, 2015/ John Balet

While working as a commercial artist in New York City, my father ventured into the world of writing and illustrating children’s books.

December 07, 2015

Holiday Beginnings – Jan’s First Children’s Book

December 07, 2015/ John Balet

Christmas time is very special to me. That is partly because of a truly unique gift I received from my father, Jan, when I was little. I like to think that I inspired his foray into writing and illustrating children’s books because his very first one – Amos and The Moon – was written for me.

Jan Balet: The Artist & His Works

Jan Balet (1913-2009) was a German-born artist best known in the U.S. for his success in the 40s, 50s and 60s as a commercial illustrator in New York City, where he designed for major corporations and publications and authored and illustrated children's books. Returning to Europe in 1965, this self-proclaimed “sophisticated primitive” continued as a children's book author and illustrator, but spent the majority of his final years creating a vast body of work through painting, etching, lithographs, and watercolors.