Art by Wolo » TRIBUTES


HOME » TRIBUTES It's always encouraging to hear from those of you who admired and loved my father. Thousands of kids enjoyed my father's shows whether in public or one on one in a hospital. Mr. San Francisco, as he was known, affected many lives in a positive way. From Josephine My sister's name is Amanda, and my father used to read one of his children's books, "Amanda" by Wolo. We also discovered The secret of the oak, and friendship valley at our grandparent's house. I always thought my father chose to name my older sister Amanda because he enjoyed your father's book so much. I loved the books so much as a child, and remembered them wistfully when I got older (My sister got the book our father read to us), for the lush illustrations and the happy feelings of the books- I still remember the feisty sign the animals put up when they reclaimed their oak tree. I tracked down some copies published c. 1943. The illustrations are gorgeous. I loved his whimsical name, looking for his signature in his illustrations. If I ever have children, I hope to share these books with him. I can see that your father was a complex man, but I am glad that you have been able to put this page up in his honor. He seems to be a bit like my father- just because they are complicated does not mean we love them any less. From Kim I was reminded of Wolo today after reading an article in the Napa Register by Sasha Paulson raving about Hippoburger, a restaurant in SF, now long gone. What I remember about Hippoburger is the big pink Hippo mural painted by Wolo on the outside wall. Thinking about this triggered a Google search of his name... My grandmother gave me a book written and illustrated by Wolo, with a signed illustration of Princess Trundlebumps taped inside it. Sir Archibald is my favorite childhood book. And like the big bird on the rock, I often find myself contemplating "the why's and wherefores." Kim. From Kathy As a very young child I was presented a drawing of the "Naughty Little Bush Pig" drawn by your father, Wolo. Thank you for the enjoyment it has given to me. It is now time to pass this treasure to our unborn grandson. From Loretta Recently, a friend who is an art dealer (internationally) gave me a lovely little colored sketch of a cute little monkey and a newspaper item by William Hogan, "Wolo's 'Amanda' Will Have a New Audience" - no date or newspaper name. He thought I would enjoy it, having remembered stories of my San Francisco days ('66) and associations with artists mostly through the Cory Gallery down the hill on Stockton Street. As the name did not ring a bell, I googled it and was surprised that our paths had probably crossed as I lived on Pine and Grant, and a male friend lived on Telegraph Hill. This little framed monkey appears to be drawn on brown paper, possibly a bag. He looks bewildered as he holds a dripping paint brush and stands by a bucket of paint. The signature kind of looks like a monkey character as well. It has been delightful learning about WOLO and his work and world from one of my favorite places on the planet. From Heidi When I was a child in the 1950's the favorite book my sisters and I took out time after time from our little local library in Springfield, Vermont was Wolo's Friendship Valley. Eventually the day came when it was so worn from many readings that when we went to borrow it yet again from the library we were devastated to learn that it had been thrown away! Another copy was nowhere to be found and it was out of print it seemed. Over the years I looked for it in every used bookstore I went to, as did my sisters, with no luck. No one on the East Coast seemed to have even heard of Wolo (it was only years later I discovered his fame in California). Book searches by experts were no use either. But as luck would have it I became friendly with a children's book dealer here in Maine where I settled as an adult and I told her of my quest. The year of my parent's 50th wedding anniversary (1994) we had planned a big party for them with many old friends. A few months before that spring day, the dealer called me to tell me that she had found copies of the book, but it was the 1974 reprint and a warehouse had a number of them in mint condition. Delighted, I bought one for myself, each of my sisters and one for my parents. As I read the story again and the insert from Wolo, I discovered as an adult the theme of a world at war (the animals in the burning forest, forced to leave their homes) and a new life built in an animal cooperative society, Friendship Valley. I realized how perfectly this fit with my parents' lives during WWII, wondering what was to come afterwards. Even as they lived in the USA, they had leftist political beliefs and their vision of life was not typical for the postwar world in a small town. They also became interested in organic farming then, when it was not in fashion. I felt the book that had been such a part of our childhood also had to be part of the anniversary celebration. So, as part of the slide show and readings we had prepared I read the quote from Badger that says "All this goes to show, that the smallest one among us is just as needed as the biggest one. Back in the old forest world everybody lived just for himself. But here in our new world we all live for each other" and ended my recitation with the thought of my parents believing in a new world and coming to that little town and finding it to be their Friendship Valley. They were very touched and delighted to have the book again. We all shared our memories of reading it and wanting to actually make pink acorn dumplings. I still keep my copy by my bedside. Over the years, with the Internet and e-bay I have been able to learn much more about Wolo and I shared it with my sisters and parents. I also acquired more of his books, including one with a charming sketch inscribed to a little girl reader. But my favorite is still "Friendship Valley". Thank you for setting up this website and I thank Wolo for creating one of my favorite childhood memories. From Susan I searched a good part of my life for "The Secret of the Ancient Oak", asking librarians if they knew of a story about a mean beaver and animals living in an oak tree. I was 10 years old when I fell in love with these wonderful drawings. About 15 years ago I spotted the doors at Vesuvio's Bar in San Francisco and knew instantly they were painted by the same artist. I dashed in to ask the bar tender who painted the squirrels with the beer mugs. I was told it was Wolo, and that he had passed away. Years passed and I resumed my search at last finding a copy at a rare book store. I paid dearly for it and in the process met Wolo's brother in law (I believe that was the relation). He kindly gave me a paperback copy of Amanda. I later corresponded with the company that publishes Wolo's books and was delighted to locate Friendship Valley and Sir Archibald. Wolo still means so much to me as he influenced my vision. I am an illustrator and hold him in high regard. I am very happy to find your web site to learn more about your delightful father and his history. Thank you! From Gary I grew up on telegraph hill about 4 houses from Wolo, my family owned the corner grocery store. Your dad was a fan favorite to all the local kids .He used to invite all the local kids in to his house for puppet shoes. I was in the audience for his local TV show many times. I have nothing but great memories of your dad for all the happiness he brought to all the children he came in contact with From Peter Thank you so much. Wolo cast his influence upon our family as my Grandfather Dr. R. V. Lee was somewhat of a patron of his. The original murals he painted for the house at Stanford were one of his masterworks. There was a story you could follow from wall to wall. I remember the "Burping Gildow" and of course the "Honeymoon Bird." There was a panel where hippos were coaxed from the water on top of mounds. There they were told sad stories and their tears would water the gardens in the mounds below them. I have one original left in my collection and Wolo did it. Of course you must have had opportunity to travel with your parents as they would drive about town later in their lives. Talk about a thrill ride. From Jo I am so thrilled to find this site!! Wolo has been in my mind and heart for all of my 58 years. He was friends with my grandpa in SF. My grandpa made paintings and mosaic art which he sold mainly in little shops on Grant Street. Every year "Poppy" would take me to the Grant Street Fair (and many others) to meld into the amazing festival of spirit, art and humanity. The earliest memory of your dad was just meeting him here and there and loving the way he looked. I was about 3 years old and already enchanted by him. He had curly hair like mine, and a love of puppets...like me. Did my love of puppets come from knowing Wolo? I can't remember...the chicken or the egg. His voice! I'd never heard anyone speak like that. Was it a puppet voice or a puppeteers voice? It couldn't really be his! And how he dressed, always so comfortable in his somewhat shabby sweaters and warm, soft clothing. He was different and I liked that. I do remember that the highlight of the street fair was finding Wolo, who immediately acknowledged Poppy with just a twinkle of his eyes, sitting on the street and being swept away to a magical, utopian place. If we came early enough, I was able to sit in front of his little puppet theater (which did not seem little at the time) and (Oh so special me!) was transported to a totally different type of joy as I literally apprenticed as I was carried off with your dad's antics. He was always mobbed by adoring fans, pushy mothers, and children hypnotized by his charm...like me. After time with Wolo, I'd get home and begin to create my own Aloysius. I began doing birthday parties...just like Wolo (HA!) when I was only 8. I can't even imagine how ridiculous I would have been, but fortunately, I thought I was just as mesmerizing as your dad and it seemed as though the kids did too. I don't know if your dad knew Lewis Mahlmann, but as teenager, he helped me put my puppet energy to work! Puppetry has been a big part of my life ever since and always will be. THEN! There were the books! Oh, Amanda and Sir Archibald! And that haughty, snotty little bush pig's is an image that is forever inblazed in my mind. Occasionally, I search for a reasonably price edition or reprint of his books. I would love to eventually have all five of them again. I still have my tattered, but original Amanda. Which brings me to his artwork, his hippos and his drawing board. Those illustrations just flowed out of Wolo's hand, onto the paper. Often he would tear off his rapidly completed drawing and hand it to a child. What a treat! I don't remember ever getting a drawing (and if I got one, I'd remember). When I taught school, I would use Wolo's technique of placing that huge pad of paper before all of those little eyes gleaming with anticipation, and voila! something would pop out of thin air, metamorphizing into some creature, onto the paper. It was a glorious day when Poppy would take me to "The Hippo" to eat. It was almost as though I were actually IN one of Wolo's books or adventures. Those HUGE hippos and their comical bottoms lined the walls. Heaven! Not to mention the creativity of the menu. OK, I could go on and on, but I feel as thought Wolo made an enormous impression on my life. I constantly ask people if they remember him, sadly no one remembers anything but "The Hippo" restaurant. I ask if they remember his books...blank stares. How could they not remember? So, that is why I am so happy to find you and to read all of the information and see those photos that made memories flood my mind. What I did know, at about 2 or 3 years old, was that Wolo was a kindred spirit. He was a big kid and although he didn't really play with me much, as soon as those puppets went onto his arms, we were floating along in the same boat. My grandpa died early. My mentor, my hero, my best pal. I was probably about 8 or 9 years old. Devastated! Horrifically, my first real experience with death. No one else in my family loved "different people" the way we did. No one was enamored with art, music, puppets, creativity or exploration the way we were. So, with Poppy, went Wolo. Your dad never left my heart. I know what a huge influence he was on me. It's sad, but somehow typical, that he couldn't be a more involved dad, but you lost out where we gained, for you had to share him with San Francisco and all of us...his admirers. Wolo...if you were lucky enough to be in his presence, you were guaranteed he'd shared a moment of enchantment, charm and magic with you. From Susan I remember that my brothers and I avidly watched Wolo (and Aloysius) on KPIX/Channel 5's daily morning program produced in their local studio. That must have been about 1959 or 1960. We LOVED Aloysius! I also have memories of a toy store from those days that may have been called "Happy Things." It was my belief at the time that this was Wolo's own store and whenever my parents would take us, I would look for him there. It featured a plank-seated swing suspended by long ropes from the ceiling and sported a sign which read "For adults only." (But we got permission from the nice lady in the store to try it out anyway.) I recall that there were many puppets for sale there. I still treasure the monkey puppet that I bought there with my carefully saved coins and use him still today in my work with autistic preschool-aged children. I haven't found any mention in your website of this magical shop. I remember it being in North Beach, just down the street from the New Tivoli Gardens restaurant -- possibly on Grant Ave. Was this, in fact, Wolo's store? Having shared my memories of this place with many an acquaintance, I've never found anyone else who knew of it. It would be wonderful if you could help me clarify the mystery after all these years! NOTE: In the 60's, Wolo operated a portrait studio called "Happy Things" in San Francisco, which later became a rather unique "hip toy shop" with a swing in it that stayed open until 11:30 P.M.. It was subsequently taken over by a well-known fellow puppeteer named Lettie Schubert. From Steve I remember murals that your father did in the pediatric wards of both the Menlo Park and I think Palo Alto Clinic. My parents loved his work and in 1965 my father John Johnson, then the City Manager of Menlo Park commissioned a watercolor from your father for my mother's birthday. I remember going to San Francisco to pick it up and meeting him. I was 12 at the time. The painting depicts the members of our family, my parents and sister and myself in a tree engaged in the many hobbies we were involved in at the time. On the back is an inscription from your father to my mother, Phyllis wishing her a happy birthday. Years later my mother gave it to me, and I still have the painting hanging in my hall. From Steve I (and my 3 younger brothers) grew up in SF with Wolo's stories, given to us in the late 40s. My daughter still has two of them, in pretty good shape: "Sir Archibald" and "Friendship Valley". I can't recall the other titles we had. In '49 or '50 we moved into a Tudor-style home in SF. The large, paneled guest room on the top floor had a wet bar hidden behind the paneled wall, with a 3-wall mural by Wolo: "The Legend of Bottoms-up Lake" complete with a booklet containing the story line. In about 1954, my parents attended a neighbor's party; the next morning we boys each received a large personalized Wolo pastel, as Wolo had been the featured guest. Regretfully, the poster-sized sketches have not survived. Thanks for the memories! From Keith I guess eventually we all Google people we used to know. I don't know why I was thinking of Wolo, but he crosses my mind now and then as an old memory from growing up in S.F. As a child, I would see him at least once a year - mainly at the Grant Street Fair doing his wonderful puppet show. It's so good to find your website highlighting his work and career, and I know he made a great impression on many of us, perhaps especially when we were children, and privileged to gather in front of his puppet stage, avidly read his books, and be surprised to see his murals here and there. I don't remember the New Pisa ones, (though I was taken there many times) but there were other murals of his around town, as I recall. Wolo and Aloyisius - yes! And I do remember the puppet doing the drawing, now that you mention it. Wolo dressed in a smock, and we thought he was very amusing, but of course kids loved the puppet Aloyisius the most...we thought they were both so witty. Wolo will always be a favorite, and it's great to know his books are still being published - long live Wolo - as his drawing style is warm and true. It's a wonder his images were not adapted to animated film, but who knows, it may yet come20to pass - as it has with Dr. Suess, and other illustrators. Finally, I remember being surprised back then to hear that one of my school teachers, a Ms. Roth, at Garfield Elementary, on Telegraph Hill (a large and friendly lady) had married Wolo. I read that she was his 2nd wife, but I'm sure she made him happy, and if she's still with us: Hello from an ex-3rd grader, CA. 1954! Again, thanks for the informative website. From Bernadette One of my prized possesions is a colorful sketch that Wolo did for me when I was a young girl living in San Francisco for a few months. He did three; one for my sister and one for the new baby (my mom was pregnant). I watched in amazement at how quickly he did the sketches. Mine still hangs on my wall all these years later, and my brother's hangs in his bedroom. It ended up being uncanny how "accurate" my then-unborn brother's sketch was; Wolo made a red-haired clown saying "Welcome, Welcome, Welcome!" and in fact my brother ended up being an extremely witty red-haired man who has entertained people for years. I do remember Wolo as a nice man who asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, and he made the sketch a little ballerina holding a flower and put "To Bernadette" with little mouse-kisses underneath. What a sweet man he seemed to be.

HOME » TRIBUTES

It's always encouraging to hear from those of you who admired and loved my father. Thousands of kids enjoyed my father's shows whether in public or one on one in a hospital. Mr. San Francisco, as he was known, affected many lives in a positive way.

From Josephine

My sister's name is Amanda, and my father used to read one of his children's books, "Amanda" by Wolo. We also discovered The secret of the oak, and friendship valley at our grandparent's house.
I always thought my father chose to name my older sister Amanda because he enjoyed your father's book so much.
I loved the books so much as a child, and remembered them wistfully when I got older (My sister got the book our father read to us), for the lush illustrations and the happy feelings of the books- I still remember the feisty sign the animals put up when they reclaimed their oak tree.
I tracked down some copies published c. 1943. The illustrations are gorgeous. I loved his whimsical name, looking for his signature in his illustrations.
If I ever have children, I hope to share these books with him. I can see that your father was a complex man, but I am glad that you have been able to put this page up in his honor. He seems to be a bit like my father- just because they are complicated does not mean we love them any less.

From Kim

I was reminded of Wolo today after reading an article in the Napa Register by Sasha Paulson raving about Hippoburger, a restaurant in SF, now long gone. What I remember about Hippoburger is the big pink Hippo mural painted by Wolo on the outside wall. Thinking about this triggered a Google search of his name...
My grandmother gave me a book written and illustrated by Wolo, with a signed illustration of Princess Trundlebumps taped inside it. Sir Archibald is my favorite childhood book. And like the big bird on the rock, I often find myself contemplating "the why's and wherefores." Kim.

From Kathy

As a very young child I was presented a drawing of the "Naughty Little Bush Pig" drawn by your father, Wolo. Thank you for the enjoyment it has given to me. It is now time to pass this treasure to our unborn grandson.

From Loretta

Recently, a friend who is an art dealer (internationally) gave me a lovely little colored sketch of a cute little monkey and a newspaper item by William Hogan, "Wolo's 'Amanda' Will Have a New Audience" - no date or newspaper name. He thought I would enjoy it, having remembered stories of my San Francisco days ('66) and associations with artists mostly through the Cory Gallery down the hill on Stockton Street.
As the name did not ring a bell, I googled it and was surprised that our paths had probably crossed as I lived on Pine and Grant, and a male friend lived on Telegraph Hill.
This little framed monkey appears to be drawn on brown paper, possibly a bag. He looks bewildered as he holds a dripping paint brush and stands by a bucket of paint. The signature kind of looks like a monkey character as well.
It has been delightful learning about WOLO and his work and world from one of my favorite places on the planet.

From Heidi

When I was a child in the 1950's the favorite book my sisters and I took out time after time from our little local library in Springfield, Vermont was Wolo's Friendship Valley.
Eventually the day came when it was so worn from many readings that when we went to borrow it yet again from the library we were devastated to learn that it had been thrown away! Another copy was nowhere to be found and it was out of print it seemed.
Over the years I looked for it in every used bookstore I went to, as did my sisters, with no luck. No one on the East Coast seemed to have even heard of Wolo (it was only years later I discovered his fame in California). Book searches by experts were no use either. But as luck would have it I became friendly with a children's book dealer here in Maine where I settled as an adult and I told her of my quest.
The year of my parent's 50th wedding anniversary (1994) we had planned a big party for them with many old friends. A few months before that spring day, the dealer called me to tell me that she had found copies of the book, but it was the 1974 reprint and a warehouse had a number of them in mint condition. Delighted, I bought one for myself, each of my sisters and one for my parents. As I read the story again and the insert from Wolo, I discovered as an adult the theme of a world at war (the animals in the burning forest, forced to leave their homes) and a new life built in an animal cooperative society, Friendship Valley. I realized how perfectly this fit with my parents' lives during WWII, wondering what was to come afterwards.
Even as they lived in the USA, they had leftist political beliefs and their vision of life was not typical for the postwar world in a small town. They also became interested in organic farming then, when it was not in fashion. I felt the book that had been such a part of our childhood also had to be part of the anniversary celebration. So, as part of the slide show and readings we had prepared I read the quote from Badger that says "All this goes to show, that the smallest one among us is just as needed as the biggest one. Back in the old forest world everybody lived just for himself. But here in our new world we all live for each other" and ended my recitation with the thought of my parents believing in a new world and coming to that little town and finding it to be their Friendship Valley. They were very touched and delighted to have the book again. We all shared our memories of reading it and wanting to actually make pink acorn dumplings. I still keep my copy by my bedside.
Over the years, with the Internet and e-bay I have been able to learn much more about Wolo and I shared it with my sisters and parents. I also acquired more of his books, including one with a charming sketch inscribed to a little girl reader. But my favorite is still "Friendship Valley".
Thank you for setting up this website and I thank Wolo for creating one of my favorite childhood memories.

From Susan

I searched a good part of my life for "The Secret of the Ancient Oak", asking librarians if they knew of a story about a mean beaver and animals living in an oak tree. I was 10 years old when I fell in love with these wonderful drawings.
About 15 years ago I spotted the doors at Vesuvio's Bar in San Francisco and knew instantly they were painted by the same artist. I dashed in to ask the bar tender who painted the squirrels with the beer mugs. I was told it was Wolo, and that he had passed away. Years passed and I resumed my search at last finding a copy at a rare book store. I paid dearly for it and in the process met Wolo's brother in law (I believe that was the relation). He kindly gave me a paperback copy of Amanda. I later corresponded with the company that publishes Wolo's books and was delighted to locate Friendship Valley and Sir Archibald.
Wolo still means so much to me as he influenced my vision. I am an illustrator and hold him in high regard. I am very happy to find your web site to learn more about your delightful father and his history.
Thank you!

From Gary

I grew up on telegraph hill about 4 houses from Wolo, my family owned the corner grocery store. Your dad was a fan favorite to all the local kids .He used to invite all the local kids in to his house for puppet shoes. I was in the audience for his local TV show many times. I have nothing but great memories of your dad for all the happiness he brought to all the children he came in contact with

From Peter

Thank you so much. Wolo cast his influence upon our family as my Grandfather Dr. R. V. Lee was somewhat of a patron of his. The original murals he painted for the house at Stanford were one of his masterworks. There was a story you could follow from wall to wall. I remember the "Burping Gildow" and of course the "Honeymoon Bird."
There was a panel where hippos were coaxed from the water on top of mounds. There they were told sad stories and their tears would water the gardens in the mounds below them. I have one original left in my collection and Wolo did it. Of course you must have had opportunity to travel with your parents as they would drive about town later in their lives. Talk about a thrill ride.

From Jo

I am so thrilled to find this site!! Wolo has been in my mind and heart for all of my 58 years. He was friends with my grandpa in SF. My grandpa made paintings and mosaic art which he sold mainly in little shops on Grant Street. Every year "Poppy" would take me to the Grant Street Fair (and many others) to meld into the amazing festival of spirit, art and humanity. The earliest memory of your dad was just meeting him here and there and loving the way he looked. I was about 3 years old and already enchanted by him. He had curly hair like mine, and a love of puppets...like me. Did my love of puppets come from knowing Wolo? I can't remember...the chicken or the egg. His voice! I'd never heard anyone speak like that. Was it a puppet voice or a puppeteers voice? It couldn't really be his! And how he dressed, always so comfortable in his somewhat shabby sweaters and warm, soft clothing. He was different and I liked that.
I do remember that the highlight of the street fair was finding Wolo, who immediately acknowledged Poppy with just a twinkle of his eyes, sitting on the street and being swept away to a magical, utopian place. If we came early enough, I was able to sit in front of his little puppet theater (which did not seem little at the time) and (Oh so special me!) was transported to a totally different type of joy as I literally apprenticed as I was carried off with your dad's antics. He was always mobbed by adoring fans, pushy mothers, and children hypnotized by his charm...like me. After time with Wolo, I'd get home and begin to create my own Aloysius. I began doing birthday parties...just like Wolo (HA!) when I was only 8. I can't even imagine how ridiculous I would have been, but fortunately, I thought I was just as mesmerizing as your dad and it seemed as though the kids did too. I don't know if your dad knew Lewis Mahlmann, but as teenager, he helped me put my puppet energy to work!
Puppetry has been a big part of my life ever since and always will be.
THEN! There were the books! Oh, Amanda and Sir Archibald! And that haughty, snotty little bush pig's is an image that is forever inblazed in my mind. Occasionally, I search for a reasonably price edition or reprint of his books. I would love to eventually have all five of them again. I still have my tattered, but original Amanda.
Which brings me to his artwork, his hippos and his drawing board. Those illustrations just flowed out of Wolo's hand, onto the paper. Often he would tear off his rapidly completed drawing and hand it to a child. What a treat! I don't remember ever getting a drawing (and if I got one, I'd remember). When I taught school, I would use Wolo's technique of placing that huge pad of paper before all of those little eyes gleaming with anticipation, and voila! something would pop out of thin air, metamorphizing into some creature, onto the paper.
It was a glorious day when Poppy would take me to "The Hippo" to eat. It was almost as though I were actually IN one of Wolo's books or adventures. Those HUGE hippos and their comical bottoms lined the walls. Heaven! Not to mention the creativity of the menu.
OK, I could go on and on, but I feel as thought Wolo made an enormous impression on my life. I constantly ask people if they remember him, sadly no one remembers anything but "The Hippo" restaurant. I ask if they remember his books...blank stares. How could they not remember?
So, that is why I am so happy to find you and to read all of the information and see those photos that made memories flood my mind. What I did know, at about 2 or 3 years old, was that Wolo was a kindred spirit. He was a big kid and although he didn't really play with me much, as soon as those puppets went onto his arms, we were floating along in the same boat. My grandpa died early. My mentor, my hero, my best pal. I was probably about 8 or 9 years old. Devastated! Horrifically, my first real experience with death. No one else in my family loved "different people" the way we did. No one was enamored with art, music, puppets, creativity or exploration the way we were. So, with Poppy, went Wolo. Your dad never left my heart. I know what a huge influence he was on me. It's sad, but somehow typical, that he couldn't be a more involved dad, but you lost out where we gained, for you had to share him with San Francisco and all of us...his admirers.
Wolo...if you were lucky enough to be in his presence, you were guaranteed he'd shared a moment of enchantment, charm and magic with you.

From Susan

I remember that my brothers and I avidly watched Wolo (and Aloysius) on KPIX/Channel 5's daily morning program produced in their local studio. That must have been about 1959 or 1960. We LOVED Aloysius! I also have memories of a toy store from those days that may have been called "Happy Things." It was my belief at the time that this was Wolo's own store and whenever my parents would take us, I would look for him there. It featured a plank-seated swing suspended by long ropes from the ceiling and sported a sign which read "For adults only." (But we got permission from the nice lady in the store to try it out anyway.) I recall that there were many puppets for sale there. I still treasure the monkey puppet that I bought there with my carefully saved coins and use him still today in my work with autistic preschool-aged children.
I haven't found any mention in your website of this magical shop. I remember it being in North Beach, just down the street from the New Tivoli Gardens restaurant -- possibly on Grant Ave. Was this, in fact, Wolo's store? Having shared my memories of this place with many an acquaintance, I've never found anyone else who knew of it. It would be wonderful if you could help me clarify the mystery after all these years!
NOTE: In the 60's, Wolo operated a portrait studio called "Happy Things" in San Francisco, which later became a rather unique "hip toy shop" with a swing in it that stayed open until 11:30 P.M.. It was subsequently taken over by a well-known fellow puppeteer named Lettie Schubert.

From Steve

I remember murals that your father did in the pediatric wards of both the Menlo Park and I think Palo Alto Clinic.
My parents loved his work and in 1965 my father John Johnson, then the City Manager of Menlo Park commissioned a watercolor from your father for my mother's birthday. I remember going to San Francisco to pick it up and meeting him. I was 12 at the time. The painting depicts the members of our family, my parents and sister and myself in a tree engaged in the many hobbies we were involved in at the time. On the back is an inscription from your father to my mother, Phyllis wishing her a happy birthday. Years later my mother gave it to me, and I still have the painting hanging in my hall.

From Steve

I (and my 3 younger brothers) grew up in SF with Wolo's stories, given to us in the late 40s. My daughter still has two of them, in pretty good shape: "Sir Archibald" and "Friendship Valley". I can't recall the other titles we had.
In '49 or '50 we moved into a Tudor-style home in SF. The large, paneled guest room on the top floor had a wet bar hidden behind the paneled wall, with a 3-wall mural by Wolo: "The Legend of Bottoms-up Lake" complete with a booklet containing the story line.
In about 1954, my parents attended a neighbor's party; the next morning we boys each received a large personalized Wolo pastel, as Wolo had been the featured guest. Regretfully, the poster-sized sketches have not survived.
Thanks for the memories!
From Keith

I guess eventually we all Google people we used to know. I don't know why I was thinking of Wolo, but he crosses my mind now and then as an old memory from growing up in S.F.
As a child, I would see him at least once a year - mainly at the Grant Street Fair doing his wonderful puppet show. It's so good to find your website highlighting his work and career, and I know he made a great impression on many of us, perhaps especially when we were children, and privileged to gather in front of his puppet stage, avidly read his books, and be surprised to see his murals here and there. I don't remember the New Pisa ones, (though I was taken there many times) but there were other murals of his around town, as I recall.
Wolo and Aloyisius - yes! And I do remember the puppet doing the drawing, now that you mention it. Wolo dressed in a smock, and we thought he was very amusing, but of course kids loved the puppet Aloyisius the most...we thought they were both so witty.
Wolo will always be a favorite, and it's great to know his books are still being published - long live Wolo - as his drawing style is warm and true. It's a wonder his images were not adapted to animated film, but who knows, it may yet come20to pass - as it has with Dr. Suess, and other illustrators.
Finally, I remember being surprised back then to hear that one of my school teachers, a Ms. Roth, at Garfield Elementary, on Telegraph Hill (a large and friendly lady) had married Wolo. I read that she was his 2nd wife, but I'm sure she made him happy, and if she's still with us: Hello from an ex-3rd grader, CA. 1954!
Again, thanks for the informative website.

From Bernadette

One of my prized possesions is a colorful sketch that Wolo did for me when I was a young girl living in San Francisco for a few months. He did three; one for my sister and one for the new baby (my mom was pregnant). I watched in amazement at how quickly he did the sketches. Mine still hangs on my wall all these years later, and my brother's hangs in his bedroom. It ended up being uncanny how "accurate" my then-unborn brother's sketch was; Wolo made a red-haired clown saying "Welcome, Welcome, Welcome!" and in fact my brother ended up being an extremely witty red-haired man who has entertained people for years. I do remember Wolo as a nice man who asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, and he made the sketch a little ballerina holding a flower and put "To Bernadette" with little mouse-kisses underneath. What a sweet man he seemed to be.