Leo Politi

Los Angeles has lost a part of its very soul with the death of artist/illustrator and friend Leo Politi (March 30). In 1978, after becoming enchanted with his beautiful children’s stories and seeing him give a gentle introduction to art for elementary schoolchildren in Simi Valley, I was able to find a rare edition of his “Bunker Hill” book. On a tip, I went to the plaza in downtown Los Angeles early one evening to find Leo high on a ladder, all alone, painting his mural of the blessing of the animals on the Biscailuz Building on Olvera Street. He willingly descended and inscribed the book to my wife.

Recently, Politi designed a poster for the anniversary of Los Angeles, with many culturally diverse children dancing in celebration. The poster is available in the cultural center on Olvera Street. He has truly earned his place in heaven, and will likely enhance it with portraits of happy young faces reflecting his contributions to countless children (and adults) for nearly 60 years.

HARVEY D. KERN

Oak Park

* Schuyler, 7, had spent the night. Suggestions that we go to Angels Flight elicited little interest until we found my children’s copy of Politi’s “Piccolo’s Prank.” After we read it and studied the illustra- tions--including Angels Flight--Schuyler couldn’t wait to go downtown.

Off we went and had the most wonderful day riding up and down Angels Flight. Thanks to Politi’s inspiration, we had a real adventure and my grandson is excited about Los Angeles history. I wish Politi could know of his influence on yet another happy little boy. When I took him home, he built Angels Flight in his room. I think the illustrations helped a lot with the engineering.

NANCY L. RANSOHOFF

Los Angeles

* You identified the wrong book as having been awarded the Caldecott Medal. It was “The Song of the Swallows,” the only one still in print besides Politi’s last one, “The Three Stalks of Corn.”

Although he may have been “seldom seen” in his later life, Politi could be seen regularly during his productive years at book signings. My hobby of giving children’s books stems in part from my love of his work and pursuing him all over Southern California to wherever he would be autographing a new book. His message would always be a mini-work of art, often done with India ink and old steel nib points that were prone to drip on the page. He readily turned the blobs into posies or other decorations that always embellished his letters.

On one occasion, when I commented on the ease with which he drew, he said simply, “It’s because I do it every day”--a truly humble man.

KATHLEEN TURGEON