Life of Children’s Author Leo Politi Celebrated

More than 200 people gathered Monday at Olvera Street in downtown Los Angeles, above, to remember Leo Politi, an artist and children’s book author who captured the city’s culture and life with his drawings and paintings.

“He said he had such a wonderful life because of all the beautiful people he has been in contact with,” said Paul Politi, the artist’s son, right, at the memorial celebration. Politi died March 26 in his Los Angeles home at age 86.

Family and community friends, many of whom Politi depicted in his books, congregated in front of his “Blessing of the Animals” mural, which decorates the Biscailuz Building at El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument. The event included prayer and reflections, a Chinese ribbon dance and a procession on Olvera Street.

In addition to his books, Politi did sketches for children who played on Olvera Street, and he spoke at libraries and schools throughout Los Angeles. He received many awards, including the Caldecott Medal in 1949 for his book “The Mission Bell.”