Esphyr Slobodkina: A Life in Art and Illustration Born: Chelyabinsk, Russia (1908) Died: 2002 Esphyr Slobodkina was a remarkable artist whose career spanned both the abstract art world of the mid-20th century and the beloved realm of children's literature. Born Esphyr Solomonovna Slobodkina in Chelyabinsk, Russia, her life took many unexpected turns, shaped by revolution, emigration, and artistic exploration. She is perhaps best known for her classic children’s book, Caps for Sale (1940), but her contributions to abstract art, collage, and construction deserve equal recognition. E…