Friday, June 20, 2008

i love illustrated books

I love illustrated children's books. I have a hard time clearing them out of my house. I can't stand to part with them while they are intact. I especially adore the books with the best illustrations. Content is not crucial at this point. Somewhat like gazing at a handsome man with a substandard IQ.

Just kidding. But you see where this is leading?

As a child, my mom would take us umpteen kids to the library to sign up for the summer reading program. I think the Provo Library simply had you fill out a bookmark-sized paper of your 20 (read) books and you got the reward. I don't remember what the reward was, because I just loved having piles of books around me. I would read my books-- and then my brothers' books. If I were particularly bored, I'd grab my older sister's chapter books. No illustrations? I returned the chapter books unfinished.

I have my favorite illustrators and want to share. After all, aren't our little children knocking down the library doors to get inside? Well, beware!! My friend Audrey said the local library is wary to us moms and they have posted a "Guard" (my friend Audrey used a different word that I loved better). It would seem that your children should not be making any noise in order to be allowed in the library. Check. We'll be taking our noisy children's business elsewhere...

Maybe Amazon.com? Well, here are some books by Audrey and Don Wood, in case you haven't seen them. They are favorites of ours.








Since I came across these, I found another illustrator today. I can't wait to get my hands on these books this summer.







The name is K. Y. Craft. I especially think Fairy Tales belong in the You-Gotta-Have-Great-Illustrations category. You can click on each book to see more illustrations.


June 27th edit: I went to my library and found only one book by this illustrator. Jenna and I enjoyed this story. It has a bit of 'Cinderella' mixed with 'Hansel and Gretel'.

Baba Yaga and Vasilisa the Brave






9 comments:

Aprilyn said...

We have King Bidgood's in the Bathtub and I LOVE the Napping House too. Those are great books!!

Aprilyn said...

By the way...have you seen the new Provo Library at Academy Square? It's sooooo nice! It's not exactly quiet in the children's section either. We try but hey, they are a bunch of children. What do you expect?

Aprilyn said...

I have decided to monopolize your comments section today. When the kids go back to school, I love buying books from Scholastic. I'll post some of my favorites soon.

Audrey said...

Don & Audrey Wood books are a staple and favorite at our house! especially Heckedy Peg. THANK YOU for turning me on to these new beautiful books! They are beautiful. After all, if I am going to read the same story over and over, I might as well enjoy the art work! I'll have to look for those the next time we go to the library. (that would be the TO library, as we will not be giving our literary business to the NP branch!)

Kari said...

Wow, those illustrations belong in a museum somewhere...just gorgeous! Thanks for reminding me that I can encourage a mix of chapter books AND picture books!

Marilee said...

OOOh the NP branch is not kid friendly? My kids used to do the summer reading clubs too. To get Neal to read a book is....is...almost more than I can handle. He makes up for it by mowing the lawn voluntarily.

Kairle Oaks said...

I have the King Midas book and bought it specifically for the illistrations. If I remember correctly, it wasn't a favorite of the girls. Kinda drug on too long. I'll have to look into the others, though. Thanks, sis!

Cindy Price said...

Oh, I love beautifully illustrated books too!! My favorite Audrey and Don Wood book is "The Little Mouse, The Red Ripe Strawberry, and The Big Hungry Bear". It is one of those books at my house that looks well loved!!!

Anonymous said...

Here you can find a great illustrated book for kids:

https://www.createspace.com/3918286

Thanks