Jean-Jacques Semp+- is one of the most successful andbest-loved cartoonists in the world, best known from his cartoons that havegraced the covers and pages of the New Yorker for decades.Semp+- haspublished numerous collections of his work in his native France, but neverbefore have they been translated into English.Phaidon Press is delightedto present the first English translated publication of SUNNY SPELLS byJean-Jacques Semp+-, one of four witty and beautifully illustratedcollections from this notorious and widely adored cartoonist.Originally published in France in 1999, SUNNY SPELLS explores a wide rangeof topics, from troubled relationships and existential crises to officepolitics and doping scandals in the literary world.Semp+-'s cast ofcharacters includes pious churchgoers, amateur painters and lovelornpaleontologists, as well as psychiatrists, actors and football supporters. In the spirit of (celebrity) book clubs, one image portrays three verypleased-looking women inquiring if a bemused salesman could recommend abook that hasn't been picked up by the media,' so that they can set thebook off with the irresistible force known as the word-of-mouth campaign.' Another modern day spoof illustrates two business men departing from arather long lunch, discussing the satisfaction of their meals in comparisonto the rather verbose man they dinned with, adding that they could findall his anecdotes and quotations on the Internet within five minutes.' Propelled by the hustle and bustle of the cityscape into the calming imagesof vacation spots and churches, readers will reach for this collection timeand time again in order to satisfy their travel desires.Semp+-'s work, once just the one-of-a-kind illustrations that appearedbefore our American eyes in delightful yet sporadic moments, can now bebrought home as an enchanting part of every family's library.SUNNYSPELLS, just one volume of four, includes more than 100 illustrations, bothpen and ink, with captions translated by Anthea Bell.Professionals,children, and adults of any age will fall in love with these charmingbooks.

Jean-Jacques Sempé (b.1932) is one of the world's most successful illustrators and cartoonists. He is the illustrator of the classic children's-book character, Nicholas, and author of a collection of some thirty albums of his cartoons and graphic novels, all published or to be published by Phaidon. His world-renowned illustrations and cartoons are featured on the cover of the New Yorker and in Paris Match.