Ah-Ha to Zig-Zag : 31 Objects from Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum

'Children of all ages can enjoy Cooper Hewitt s latest literary offering: "Ah-Ha to Zig-Zag," a delightful illustrated guide to the museum s permanent collection conceived by artist and author Maira Kalman...Traveling A to Z through centuries of great design, Kalman's picture book is as educational as it is whimsical' - Architectural Digest

A beautiful children's ABC book by Maira Kalman celebrating thirty-one objects from the Cooper Hewitt Museum of Design

The tour begins with the lyrical dictum 'Perhaps put on your thinking cap,' which the author pairs with a 14th-century Egyptian hat. The fun continues with a Royal Copenhagen rabbit figurine, a Porca Miseria! chandelier, and a Parisian dessert fork from the turn of the 20th century, among other special objects.

With her signature warm humour, Kalman's book introduces children and adults to the myriad ways design touches our lives and is a delightful exploration of the Cooper Hewitt's collection.

Read our review.

Details

• Author: Maira Kalman
• Hardcover: 48 pages
• Date published: October 2014
• Language: English
• ISBN: 978-0847843770
• Product Dimensions: 27.9 x 21.6 cm

Reviews

"Children of all ages can enjoy Cooper Hewitt’s latest literary offering: Ah-Ha to Zig-Zag, a delightful illustrated guide to the museum’s permanent collection conceived by artist and author Maira Kalman. The book’s release is set to coincide with the institution’s much-anticipated December reopening. Traveling A to Z through centuries of great design, Kalman’s picture book is as educational as it is whimsical.” – Architectural Digest

'Best Book of the year selection: Maira Kalman's whimsical, sublimely silly alphabet book celebrates the newly renovated Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum by featuring 31 of her favorite objects from the collection.' – National Public Radio

'Ah-Ha to Zig-Zag: 31 Objects from Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum, a children’s alphabet book with original gouaches of objects in Cooper Hewitt’s design collection. These books will likely become their owners’ own personal treasures, just like the “stuff” pictured inside was once for someone long ago.'  - Quartz

'Must-Have Coffee Table Book. Ahead of the re-opening of New York's Cooper Hewitt museum this winter, illustrator Maira Kalman will release a whimsical alphabet book of her favourite objects from the institution's vast collection'  – Harpers Bazaar

'...an alphabet of curiosities annotated with show-and-tell wisdom.' – The Atlantic