The Magna Charta
Before James Daugherty (1889-1974) became a noted author, he was a well-established artist having illustrated more than forty books by other authors. In Mr. Daugherty's own books, the art and text combine gusto, exuberance, rich detail and a masculine style singing a song of America. When receiving the Newbery Award in 1940 forDaniel Boone, Daugherty summed up the spirit of his major lifework:"Wit and taste, beauty and joy are as much a necessary part of the democratic heritage as economics and the utilities...Children's books are a part of that art of joy and joy in art that is the certain inalienable right of a free people."Mr. Daugherty is primarily remembered for his inspired expression of the American spirit in both visual and literary form, a spirit characterized by appreciation for the heroes of democracy. In publishing three of his titles we have painstakingly preserved his two and three color drawings so that you may enjoy his books in their original context.