It’s the birthday of Norman Lindsay (1879-1969), an Australian artist, author, and political cartoonist who wrote and illustrated the classic children’s book The Magic Pudding, which in 2018 celebrated its 100th birthday.

Lindsay was born in Creswick, Victoria, Australia, and started drawing for newspapers at 16, ultimately becoming the chief cartoonist at the Sydney Bulletin. He lived a Bohemian lifestyle and many of his works, written and visual, were censored; he painted and sculpted nudes considered scandalous. Banned books include Redheap (1930) and Age of Consent (1938).

Lindsay evidently wrote The Magic Pudding because he believed children loved both fighting and food and felt the two should be brought together in one book. While Lindsay’s “serious” art has not necessarily stood the test of time, his illustrations in this children’s book, vigorous and very funny, are considered superb. The Pudding itself is a walking, talking creature with a snide personality, and no matter how much Bunyip Bluegum and his companions eat from the Pudding, it never runs out. British novelist Sir Philip Pullman (His Dark Materials) has said, “This is the funniest children’s book ever written.” (We have never read it and it’s going on the list.)

Lindsay had five children by two wives and a fondness for Nietzsche and Wagner. He died at 90 in Springwood, New South Wales.

(Short post. Children home.)

Have a splendid Friday, maybe throw in a little experimentation with oil pastels and watercolors, and stay scrupulously honest to the data.