M.B. Goffstein at that time
~ The era when "I and my neighbor" were born-
When I was ready to publish me and my neighbor, I wanted to hear the story of those who knew Goffstein at the time. Immediately, her husband, David, and Edit, an editor who has been working for many years, came to mind. They immediately responded to my about offer, "I want you to tell me anything at that time." This article is a remix of it. I read their sentences, looked at the photos, and felt like opening the door of an unknown room. My heart is fluffy and my feelings have not yet been organized.
Here, I decided to call Goffstein from the people who were familiar with her and call it "Brook".
Her voice
In 1980, Brook, who had been reading a work, practiced reading "I and my neighbor (original title: NEIGHBORS)" in the kitchen at home. This is the voice recorded at that time, which was stored by my husband. Her gentle and serious voice reads a small echo on her voice, with a small echo in her voice, and a singer -songwriter.©︎ M. B. Goffstein
* This audio is a personal recording that has never been released since it was recorded in 1980.
Photo 1: Book Festival
Photographs at the outdoor book festival held in New York in 1979. She is a smile signing a poster for her book, "Real Title (original title: Natural History)". This book is a book published at the same time as "I and my neighbor", so these photos are a valuable record that you can learn about her in 1979. "She was very proud of the long line of people in the signing session," she was happy to hear from her husband. She thought she was a girl all the time, and she lined up, and because of my goffstein. I envy 1979. The people were so happy to be in a line, and she was laughing shyly ahead.
© ︎Peter Schaaf
1979
1979 was a big year for Brook. She published an anthology that summarizes her first colored book, "Real to Real", "Me and Neighbor", and her early children's books. It was 1979 that her work reached one major milestone.
The editor knows
Edit, an editor who has been working with her for many years, has met her debut work, "The Gats!" The two worked together were "I and my neighbor". The following is the story he taught.
I thought this book was perfect. I didn't ask Brook for any change. A book about a year of attempts in which a kind person trying to get close to the same people. I thought her modest narrative was perfect and the best book for reading aloud.
We talked a lot about why Brook takes so long to complete a monochrome line drawing. She said that it took almost a day to draw a vacuum cleaner hose and code, pointing to a picture wearing a vacuum cleaner.
She said this.
"You should work until you don't need to work."
she
"I and my neighbor"It is a book that almost completely captures Brook's personality. Brook was a meticulous housekeeper, loved objects, and at the same time loved others. Everything that works at her is a pipe worker or an electric engineer, and everyone has become her friend. Brook loved talking to a person, knew about him, and how he saw the world. 
©︎Peter Schaaf
Loneliness
When I wrote "I and my neighbor"She lived in the upper waist side in New York. The "loneliness" expressed in this book comes from her own experience as an artist. Artists need loneliness to work. However, sometimes he is too centrifuged to contact people. Contracilated, it is torn from both poles.
Something beautiful
Before he died, she asked a nurse who entered the sickroom. "Did you bring something beautiful?"It was the hope she always asked for the first time.
Resignation
"I and my neighbor"There is no donation page. Her book is always dedicated to someone, but this book is not dedicated to anyone. Maybe this is a book she dedicated to her.
Photo 2: Home
A photo of my home immediately after Brook died. She always kept her house in a proper state, like the characters of "Me and Neighborhood". And, like the characters, there were small items on the shelf. Many of them are small things that only her can understand. They are lined up quietly. The shelf seems to have all the secrets of her story, the hints, and the place of heart.
©︎Peter Schaaf
[Product information]
I and my neighbor (regular version)
Price: ¥ 2,750 (tax included)
Written / Picture: M.B. Goffstein
Translation: Tonkachi translation
ISBN / 978-4-910592-28-2
Body: 32p
Specifications: Hard cover (paper cross), foil stamping finish
Size: W167 x H204mm
→ Click here for the product page
I and my neighbor BOX set
Price: ¥ 25,300 (tax included)
BOX size: W250 x H275mm x D66mm
Specifications: Hard cover (cloth cross), foil finishing finish
[Contents of BOX set]
・ Lilac color cross -stretched BOX
・ Picture book "Me and neighbor"
・ Built -in set