| Leo Politi (1908-1996) was born in Fresno, California. At age six he moved with his family to Italy where he studied art and he returned to California in the 1930's. Politi worked in Los Angeles on Olvera Street capturing the images of the Mexican immigrants that settled in this section of the city. In 1938 Politi wrote and illustrated his first book for children, Little Pancho, the story of a little Mexican boy. in 1950 Politi received the Caldecott Medal for his book Song of the Swallow. In 1980, the Fresno Public Library was named after him, and in 1991, the Leo Politi Elementary School in Los Angeles was dedicated. Leo Politi collection includes ten gouache drawings from 1935 to 1945 and illustrated books reflecting the artist's approach toward the Mexicans images of Olvera Street. |
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