The Cheese Monkeys. A Novel in Two Semesters.

First edition. 8vo. 274pp. Illustrated boards with vertical wrap-around band on front board. Hand-Lettering and Decorations by Chris Ware.

A New York Times Notable Book of Fiction for 2001. Author's fiction debut. An autobiographical, coming-of-age novel, set over two semesters in the late 1950s at State U, where the young narrator, has decided to major in art, much to his parents dismay. Inspired by Kidd's art studies under Lanny Sommese at Penn State in the 1980s. The high profile book designer has produced over 1,500 book jackets during his 20-year career at Knopf and is justly credited with "revolutionizing the way modern books are packaged". "[An] unexpected, terrific novel by the designer himself: a tip of the pencil point to content from the form meister." –Mark Rozzo, The Los Angeles Times