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-65%Serious Fun!: Work & Play with Charles & Ray Eamesâ
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$13.99The Story
Mid-century modern is fun for the whole family in this picture book about the importance of play for the designers of the iconic Eames chair. Twentieth-century design duo Charles and Ray Eames had serious fun experimenting and solving problems. In all that they did, they let fun lead the way; the only rules were no rules, no limits and no getting bored. Though best known today for their timelessly iconic leather lounge chairs, the Eameses were always trying something new. They made furniture in every shape they could think of, bending and layering plywood on a homemade contraption. They made short films, designed textiles and arranged museum exhibits, dabbled in architecture and photography. They even tried their hand at toy design, wanting to give kids tools to foster free thinking and exploration--the same principles that fueled their own work. Christy Hale's retro illustrations and enthusiastic text bring mid-century modern delightfully alive. Serious Fun! is a must-read for any bright young thinker already suspecting that all-work, no-play grown-ups have got it all wrong. A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection
Author: Christy Hale
Publisher: Neal Porter Books
Published: 03/17/2026
Pages: 40
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 0.85lbs
Size: 10.88h x 9.14w x 0.40d
ISBN: 9780823456604
Audience: Ages 9-12
Review Citation(s):
Horn Book Magazine 03/01/2026 pg. 82
School Library Journal 11/01/2025 pg. 106
Kirkus Reviews 11/15/2025
About the Author
Christy Hale is the author and illustrator of several acclaimed children's books, including Copycat: Nature-Inspired Design Around the World, Out the Door, Todos Iguales: Un corrido de Lemon Grove /All Equal: A Ballad of Lemon Grove, Water Land: Land and Water forms Around the World, Dreaming Up: A Celebration of Building, and The East-West House: Noguchi's Childhood in Japan. An art director, designer, and educator, Hale offers programs for all ages. Like Charles and Ray Eames, she loves to blend work with play, designing and making all kinds of things. She lives with her husband in Palo Alto, California. You can visit her online at christyhale.com.
Author: Christy Hale
Publisher: Neal Porter Books
Published: 03/17/2026
Pages: 40
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 0.85lbs
Size: 10.88h x 9.14w x 0.40d
ISBN: 9780823456604
Audience: Ages 9-12
Review Citation(s):
Horn Book Magazine 03/01/2026 pg. 82
School Library Journal 11/01/2025 pg. 106
Kirkus Reviews 11/15/2025
About the Author
Christy Hale is the author and illustrator of several acclaimed children's books, including Copycat: Nature-Inspired Design Around the World, Out the Door, Todos Iguales: Un corrido de Lemon Grove /All Equal: A Ballad of Lemon Grove, Water Land: Land and Water forms Around the World, Dreaming Up: A Celebration of Building, and The East-West House: Noguchi's Childhood in Japan. An art director, designer, and educator, Hale offers programs for all ages. Like Charles and Ray Eames, she loves to blend work with play, designing and making all kinds of things. She lives with her husband in Palo Alto, California. You can visit her online at christyhale.com.
Description
Mid-century modern is fun for the whole family in this picture book about the importance of play for the designers of the iconic Eames chair. Twentieth-century design duo Charles and Ray Eames had serious fun experimenting and solving problems. In all that they did, they let fun lead the way; the only rules were no rules, no limits and no getting bored. Though best known today for their timelessly iconic leather lounge chairs, the Eameses were always trying something new. They made furniture in every shape they could think of, bending and layering plywood on a homemade contraption. They made short films, designed textiles and arranged museum exhibits, dabbled in architecture and photography. They even tried their hand at toy design, wanting to give kids tools to foster free thinking and exploration--the same principles that fueled their own work. Christy Hale's retro illustrations and enthusiastic text bring mid-century modern delightfully alive. Serious Fun! is a must-read for any bright young thinker already suspecting that all-work, no-play grown-ups have got it all wrong. A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection
Author: Christy Hale
Publisher: Neal Porter Books
Published: 03/17/2026
Pages: 40
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 0.85lbs
Size: 10.88h x 9.14w x 0.40d
ISBN: 9780823456604
Audience: Ages 9-12
Review Citation(s):
Horn Book Magazine 03/01/2026 pg. 82
School Library Journal 11/01/2025 pg. 106
Kirkus Reviews 11/15/2025
About the Author
Christy Hale is the author and illustrator of several acclaimed children's books, including Copycat: Nature-Inspired Design Around the World, Out the Door, Todos Iguales: Un corrido de Lemon Grove /All Equal: A Ballad of Lemon Grove, Water Land: Land and Water forms Around the World, Dreaming Up: A Celebration of Building, and The East-West House: Noguchi's Childhood in Japan. An art director, designer, and educator, Hale offers programs for all ages. Like Charles and Ray Eames, she loves to blend work with play, designing and making all kinds of things. She lives with her husband in Palo Alto, California. You can visit her online at christyhale.com.
Author: Christy Hale
Publisher: Neal Porter Books
Published: 03/17/2026
Pages: 40
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 0.85lbs
Size: 10.88h x 9.14w x 0.40d
ISBN: 9780823456604
Audience: Ages 9-12
Review Citation(s):
Horn Book Magazine 03/01/2026 pg. 82
School Library Journal 11/01/2025 pg. 106
Kirkus Reviews 11/15/2025
About the Author
Christy Hale is the author and illustrator of several acclaimed children's books, including Copycat: Nature-Inspired Design Around the World, Out the Door, Todos Iguales: Un corrido de Lemon Grove /All Equal: A Ballad of Lemon Grove, Water Land: Land and Water forms Around the World, Dreaming Up: A Celebration of Building, and The East-West House: Noguchi's Childhood in Japan. An art director, designer, and educator, Hale offers programs for all ages. Like Charles and Ray Eames, she loves to blend work with play, designing and making all kinds of things. She lives with her husband in Palo Alto, California. You can visit her online at christyhale.com.
