Blunderbuss! Honors Legacy of Modern Picture Book Master Tomi Ungerer
Updated: Dec 2, 2025
Attendees and special guests from around the world converged at The Rabbit hOle for its first-ever literary symposium, Blunderbuss! Exploring the Legacy of Tomi Ungerer, on November 14 and 15, 2025.
Called a “spectacular graphic genius” by Maurice Sendak, Ungerer published more than 140 books and countless cartoons and posters before his passing in 2019.
Though in the United States he’s best known for Crictor and illustrating the first edition of Flat Stanley, both of which are featured exhibits at The Rabbit hOle, Ungerer’s books have been translated into dozens of languages and sold millions of copies worldwide.
As an artist, writer, and designer, he pushed the limits of creativity in a fearless pursuit of the unexpected and the absurd.
“He wasn’t afraid to call out society's hypocrisies and the resulting absurdities that bedevil the human condition,” said Rabbit hOle co-director Pete Cowdin. “Children’s books were just one of many artistic avenues that Tomi explored.”
Reflecting his varied pursuits, panel and presentation topics ranged from his impact on current children’s book creators to the political and cultural boundaries he challenged with poster and graphic arts.
Blunderbuss! kicked off with a series of poster workshops using both letterpress and RISO printing. Letterpress workshop Letterpress poster made by attendee who was inspired by Tomi's work. RISO workshop Working with the RISO Finished RISO print Susan Hirschman with Crictor, which she worked with Tomi Ungerer on. Jon Agee wakes up from a nap. Volunteer Anne gives Susan Hirschman a special tour of the Three Robbers cover-to-cover experience. Kate Feiffer and Aria Ungerer make their own animations in the Three Robbers experience. Special guests Kate Feiffer, Aria Ungerer, and Brad Bernstein Welcome cocktail reception for Blunderbuss! American Wild Ensemble and composer Stefan Freund perform The Three Robbers Rabbit hOle co-director Pete Cowdin introduces Stefan Freund and American Wild Ensemble Pompano Sarah Bernhardt cake from Tomi Ungerer's book Zeralda's Ogre. Ogres' Delight cake from Tomi Ungerer's book Zeralda's Ogre. We watched Far Out Isn't Far Enough followed by a talk with filmmaker Brad Bernstein & Aria Ungerer. Day two began with an inspiring and poignant keynote from Aria Ungerer . Aria Ungerer collaborated with Tomi before his passing and now manages his estate. Children’s book editors Maria Russo and Susan Hirschman, who worked with Tomi on Crictor and more. Susan Hirschman reads from Crictor which she says is a perfect picture book. Librarian and author Betsy Bird lead our panel of picture book creators influenced by Tomi. Picture book panel included Jon Agee, Kate Feiffer, Lisa Brown and K-Fai Steele. K-Fai Steele discussed Tomi's influence on her work and the value of archives. K-Fai designed a print inspired by Tomi's poster work for our Reading is Resistance print series. Lisa Brown moderated a virtual panel with Gary Groth and Steve Heller about Tomi's adult work. Throughout the day Jon Scieszka read from Tomi's book I Am Papa Snap Scieszka Snappin' The final panel featured Philip Nel, Aria Ungerer and Kate Feiffer. Aria Ungerer and Kate Feiffer's fathers were contemporaries and friends. They each reflected on growing up with their immensely creative fathers.
