Interesting find by Brian Fies who came across a book entitled Kids Say the Darndest Things by TV and radio personality Art Linkletter who hosted a radio show of the same title. The book had an introduction by Walt Disney and was illustrated by Charles Schulz.
The wild card is Schulz. Peanuts had debuted in October 1950, so was probably not yet seven years old when Linkletter’s book came out in 1957. Schulz also illustrated a sequel in 1961. Peanuts and Schulz weren’t yet the phenomenon they would become but were clearly on their way. It seems to me that this project must have hit a real sweet spot in Schulz’s career: much earlier and he wouldn’t have been high-profile enough to be offered the job; much later and he would have been too big and busy to accept.
Check out Brian’s blog for scans of the illustrations like the one below with Brian’s commentary:
Another caricature of Linkletter (holding a microphone), one of a small number of adults Schulz drew during his career.
I have that book around here someplace.
Whaddya know! I’ve had this book for years. I don’t remember where I got it but it must have been at a used bookstore or flea market somewhere.
I remember seeing the cover and thinking “Wow, whoever illustrated this was really imitating Charles Schulz.” Then I flipped through a few pages and thought “REALLY imitating him. Wait….is it possible that it actually…?”