South Pasadena Public Library Unveils Leo Politi Sculpture

SOUTH PASADENA, CA - A newly cast bronze Leo Politi sculpture, "Sister Reading Book to Brother with Dog Looking On" was unveiled Sunday at a ceremony outside the South Pasadena Public Library.

The sculpture is a continuation of the library's celebration of Politi, an artist, muralist, author and illustrator whose works include the mural for the library's children's room.

The sculpture was commissioned from Lester Harries of Sanger with funds donated by Ellen and Joe Daigle and the discretionary funds of South Pasadena City Council members.

Rep. Judy Chu, D-Monterey Park, Sen. Carol Lin, D-La Canada Flintridge, and South Pasadena Mayor Diana Mahmud spoke at the 1:30 p.m. ceremony outside the library's Oxley Street entrance.

Politi received the Caldecott Medal, annually awarded to preceding year's most distinguished American picture book for children, in 1950 for "Song of the Swallows," about two children who live in Mission San Juan Capistrano, with one telling the other about the flight of the swallows from South America to the mission.

Politi was a finalist for the medal in 1947 for "Pedro, the Angel of Olvera Street" and in 1949 for "Juanita."

An elementary school and park in Los Angeles bear his name.

Politi was born in Fresno on Nov. 21, 1908. He moved with his family to their native Italy when he was 6 years old. He returned to Fresno and began his literary career in 1938 with the children's book "Little Pancho."

Politi died in 1996.

--City News Service, photo via Shutterstock