Friday, May 22, 2020

SNB store open for curbside -- link to order your signed Mulan book

Stuart's weekly email newsletter always has the latest info on Stuart Ng Books and the store. Please note that Stuart and the SNB staff are each members of high-risk groups for Covid. They are following all the guidelines for health safety at this important time.

No browsing inside the store for now. If that changes, you'll hear about it first in Stuart's newsletter.

This week's newsletter highlights your opportunity to order a SIGNED copy of this fantastic book! Don't delay, as the artists will be signing soon. There will be extra signed copies for mail order, but if you want to have the book inscribed with a name (personalized as a gift or for yourself) order now.

Here's the link to place your order:
https://stuartngbooks.com/the-art-of-mulan-a-disney-editions-classic.html

From Stuart's 5.22.20  newsletter:
We had to postpone Tony Bancroft and Jeff Kurtti signing The Art of Mulan because of Los Angeles County’s “safer at home” order, but now that we are in Stage II, Tony and Jeff will be coming down to Torrance to sign the books. If you pre-ordered the book, thanks for your patience. If you haven't, there's still time to place your order.

Mulan the live-action remake, scheduled to be released on March 27, was delayed to July 24, due to the coronavirus.


From the website

Our copies will be signed by author Jeff Kurtti and co-director Tony Bancroft at the end of May.
You may have your copy personalized to you--or anyone you wish--upon request.
A new re-issue of this long out of print, much sought after animation book, now with additional visual development artwork.
Mulan was the first feature produced in Disney's Orlando studio and it had more than its share of fine artists. This volume includes art by Tom Bancroft, Chen-Yi Chang, Dean DeBlois, Peter de Seve, Thom Enriquez, Paul Felix, Mark Henn, Alex Nino, Ruben Procopio, Pres Romanillos, Robh Ruppel, Chris Sanders, and John Sanford.
From the publisher:
The Art of Mulan was only Jeff Kurtti's fourth published work, and one of which he remains enormously proud.
He is honored to see this important and significant story in print again for new generations, along with some stunning additional visual development artwork and new foreword by Thomas Schumacher.
Inspired by a two-thousand-year-old Chinese legend, Mulan was the first animated feature film to be primarily produced by Disney's animation studio at Walt Disney World in Florida. This was a dazzling array of talented and dedicated filmmakers who specialized in traditional hand-drawn animation and collaborated on the musical segment "I Just Can't Wait to Be King" in The Lion King (1994), shorts ranging from the Roger Rabbit cartoon Tummy Trouble (1989) to the legendary folktale John Henry (2000), and feature films such as Lilo & Stitch (2002). The Art of Mulan reveals the story behind the making of the film in this distinct place and at this particular time, both of which bridge the Disney animation renaissance of the 1990s and the sensibilities of today's Walt Disney Animation Studios.
Like the film's heroine, the Disney artists who created Mulan made a journey of self-discovery that began with a momentous decision: to make a modern film adapted from an ancient Chinese source. The Art of Mulan chronicles their efforts to remain faithful to the spirit of the original legend and the traditions of the Chinese culture, while at the same time make it accessible for an international audience approaching the end of the second millennium. Their words reveal their passion while more than 350 stunning color and black-and-white illustrations showcase their brilliance, all clear reminders of why Mulan has become a fan favorite of so many who grew up with it.

Info on curb-side pick up

Curbside Pick-up and Counter Service at Our Store in Lovely Torrance
No-contact curbside pick-up is available at our front door.
Place your order on our website www.stuartngbooks.com or by phone 310-909-1929 and we can have your order ready for pick-up any day of the week between 11am and 5pm. Earlier or later with advance notice.

Want to look at the books before you buy? Counter service is available at our front door.
  1. Visit our website www.stuartngbooks.com, make your list, and request the book(s) in advance via an email or phone call. It is easiest for us to locate book(s) if you have the title(s) and/or SN number(s).
  2. Examine the book(s) at our front counter and decide whether you want to buy them.
  3. Purchase them on the spot with PayPal, Venmo, or a credit card.

You can also request the book(s) when you arrive at our counter, but it will take a little longer because we will retrieve the items while you wait.

Los Angeles County and Torrance city guidelines do not currently allow customers inside the store.



Stuart is internationally known for his smile and his habit of wearing Aloha shirts, even in Paris in winter temps. There's Hawaiian decor at the office. And Stuart's even ordered face masks from Hawaii. He ordered extras and you can see and purchase them at the SNB store.

We have an ample supply of face masks from the Kona Supply Co. in Honolulu.
If you happen to need a stylish Hawaiian print cloth face mask, they are only $15 each.


If you have questions, you can reach Stuart and the team via email at info@stuartngbooks.com or on the phone at 310-909-1929.

There is ample free parking at the store site. There's also lots of fantastic, unique take-out food options near the store!
Kings Hawaiian Bakery. https://www.yelp.com/biz/kings-hawaiian-bakery-and-restaurant-torrance
Kings Hawaiian Local Place.  https://www.yelp.com/biz/kings-hawaiian-the-local-place-torrance
85 Bakery. https://www.yelp.com/biz/85-c-bakery-cafe-torrance-3
 Mitsuwa Marketplace. https://www.yelp.com/biz/mitsuwa-marketplace-torrance?osq=Mitsuwa+Marketplace
 Eatalian Cafe. https://www.yelp.com/biz/eatalian-cafe-gardena?osq=Eatalian+Cafe

You can sign up for Stuart's email newsletter via this link from the SNB website:
https://stuartngbooks.com/join-our-mailing-list.html


Thursday, May 21, 2020

Google Doodle honors late Hawaiian icon Israel "Iz" Kamakawiwo'ole

The Google Doodle for April 19, 2020 honored Israel "Iz" Kamakawiwoʻole on what would have been  his 61st birthday.



His poignant ukulele rendition of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" has become a classic. He was also an important icon in the Native Hawaiian community. The Doodle was produced in cooperation with Kamakawiwo'ole's family.

The official Google Doodle page shares highlights about the development of the Doodle. There is an interview with the Doodle's director, Sophie Diao. http://www.sophiediao.com/

Style tests from the doodle:

The Google Doodle page has comments from the Kamakawiwo'ole's family with their thoughts on his legacy.

The Doodle page explains traditional Hawaiian Kapa art and the contributions of guest artist Dalani Tanahy.

Link for the Google Doodle page:
https://www.google.com/doodles/israel-kamakawiwooles-61st-birthday

More info on the Doodle and Kamakawiwo'ole in this Cnet article:
ttps://www.cnet.com/news/google-doodle-honors-hawaiian-ukulele-player-israel-iz-kamakawiwoole-voice-of-hawaii/

Previous post here on the blog about the artists behind the Google Doodles:
https://stuartngbooks.blogspot.com/2014/05/google-doodle-mystery-artist-with-links.html