I went to the bookstore the other day. I went to TOWN in the bookstore the other day - there are some wonderful books out there right now, and I much prefer going to a bookstore to a mall. I had to get help carrying them all to the car - and not a single one for me, which showed unusual restraint.

I got very nostalgic and sentimental about my picture books, and when I saw that the bookstore had "adopted" an elementary school and had a selection of books that people could buy and donate, I had a hard time not crying in front all the shoppers. So, there's a copy of "Where the Wild Things Are" that I sent, with my blessing, out to the young and impressionable.

That got me thinking of an entry that will hopefully achieve two things: 1) share with you some of my old favorite books with pictures and 2) provide some inspiration for the new ones out there too. I think I've done this before, but it's been awhile, and there's definitely some new books.





I make no age recommendations. Most of these can be enjoyed by anyone. Some of them might be too mature for the very young.

Pauline Baynes
I am so heartbroken that she passed away this year. She illustrated many of my favorite tales of all time: the Chronicles of Narnia, many Tolkien books, and Watership Down to name a few.

Aside, especially to jkg_vader and others who believe in Narnia: I think she's been there, independent of Lewis.





It's easy to find a book by her.

Nicola Bayley
She's almost mythical to me. When I was small I had a book called "The Tyger Voyage" written by Richard Adams and illustrated by her. I adored that book - the pictures haunted me, the story lay heavily upon my psyche. Two Victorian adventurer tigers explore the world, and return home, but at heavy cost.

One day I left my copy in the yard and it rained on it. The cover bubbled but I did not stop loving it, though I was deeply ashamed of my carelessness. I don't know where my old copy is, but about 10 years ago I bought another. It was a present for "Igor":







This is an exceedingly rare and expensive book now.

But there is a beautiful copy of "The Jungle Book" that is illustrated by her that is in print. My cat gave one to me last Christmas, he is such a thoughtful feline:





Adrienne Segur
I discovered this artist in adulthood on recommendations from Terri Windling and company on their website Endicott Studio.

Originally published in the 1950s or so, The Golden Book of Fairy Tales is now back in print! Some pictures of mine:






Brian Froud
Well, of course. I was a fantasy-loving teenager in the 1980s, there was no escaping the spell of the real Goblin King. There's a relatively new edition of his "World of the Dark Crystal" that's in print.







My copy is inscribed to me and even has a little drawing:



Charles van Sandwyk
This fellow may be a little obscure, but I think one day he will be famous, or at least important. His whimsical, detailed, Victorian-naturalist sort of art and hand-made books are exquisite. He's Canadian from the West Coast and I know you can buy his books and prints in a gallery here in town. Have a look at more of his art.





Garth Williams
Many will be familiar with the gentle, evocative sketches of Garth Williams. He illustrated "The Little House on the Prairie" series, as well "Stuart Little". The book I had as a child that introduced me to him was "The Tall Book of Make Believe", and the stories in it (contributed by many different authors) are fantastic as well. This was easily my favorite story collection. However, I am trying not to panic since I couldn't find my copy this morning...

... and "The Tall Book of Make Believe" is out of print!

Gah! If I had my copy, I could show you more beautiful pictures like this one:



There are other books out there with Williams' art, but this was my favorite!

Peter Sis
This artist seems to specialise in thoughtful, detailed biographies of explorers and thinkers. I have a couple of his books, and gave his autobiographical "The Wall" to my father for Christmas last year.

Here's a glimpse of"The Starry Messenger" about Galileo:





Marjane Satrapi
I just finished reading this incredibly compelling story of growing up in Iran. I'm sure part of my attachment to this book was because the author is just a little older than me, and her style reminds me so much of one of my friend's autobiographical comics, it's like reading a parallel to my own young adulthood.



Timothy B Ering
I mention "The Tale of Despereaux" especially because I just discovered there's a movie coming out this Christmas. The movie looks good, but it's always best to read the book first! Kate DiCamillo writes intelligent, odd fantasy and this book is one of my favorites by her. The illustrations by Ering really add to the experience:



Shaun Tan
I have already praised the amazing journey called "The Arrival" by Shaun Tan. Reading this book was a life event - seriously.





I discovered that he has a new book coming out that I am intrigued by:


Brian Selznick: The Invention of Hugo Cabret
I bought several of these to give away, but none for myself. I am dying to plunge into this revolutionary tome (it's 544 pages)!

Just look at what Amazon.com says:
"Orphan, clock keeper, and thief, Hugo lives in the walls of a busy Paris train station, where his survival depends on secrets and anonymity. But when his world suddenly interlocks with an eccentric, bookish girl and a bitter old man who runs a toy booth in the station, Hugo's undercover life, and his most precious secret, are put in jeopardy. A cryptic drawing, a treasured notebook, a stolen key, a mechanical man, and a hidden message from Hugo's dead father form the backbone of this intricate, tender, and spellbinding mystery."



Books! Glorious, illustrated books! I will never have my fill!