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Beautifully-Designed Children's Books
Published 03.17.2009 | | Comments (9) | TrackBacks (0)
Yes, March is National Reading Month. And, the rest of the month we'll highlight our favorite books and reading activities.
Last week, we presented our favorite board books for babies. Today, it's beautifully-designed books for kids. These are ones where the illustrations take our breath away. They also all happen to sit on my son's bookshelf.
We are sure there are other beautiful ones out there and we are dying to hear about them. So please do tell. Share, share, that's fair.
Wave
Artist Suzy Lee released the wordless masterpiece Wave last year. We love, love, love this book. The end.
Hansel & Gretel
Beloved artist Jen Corace is the illustrator behind this edition of Hansel and Gretel. It's absolutely gorgeous.
Animus
This charmingly-illustrated pop-up book is produced by renowned painter Seonna Hong who also won an Emmy as an animation artist for the Powerpuff Girls.
When You Were Small
We recommended When You Were Small as a Father's Day gift last year for its sweet father-son storyline and lovely illustrations. Luckily for us, illustrator Julie Morstad and author Sarah O'Leary have a new book out Where You Came From. Can't wait to get my hands on it. (Adding to shopping cart right now).
Gyo Fujikawa's Children's Books
Any of Gyo Fujikawa's books would be eye candy for your children's library. Fujikawa was a prolific writer and illustrator and according to Wikipedia is recognized for being the earliest mainstream illustrator of picture books to include children of many races in her work. I remember spending hours upon hours as a child looking through her Mother Goose book. I loved them so much then and maybe even more now.
Pippi Longstocking
I could not think of a better illustrator than Lauren Child (of Charlie & Lola fame) for the Pippi Longstocking tale. Ms. Child's artwork is the perfect accompaniment for the story of this zany independent girl.
The Snowy Day
The Snowy Day is also on our list for Best Board Book for Babies. We list it here for its gorgeous use of color and collage. It's a lovely story about a young boy playing outside after a snowstorm. Published in 1962 it was one of the most controversial books of the 1960s, which is hard to believe given its very simple storyline. It went on to earn a Caldecott Medal.
Now it's your turn. Which are your favorite illustrated and/or designed children's books?
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About this Column
The Hotspot originally started out as a monthly-or-so feature written by our favorite storytellers. Usually products or services were highlighted that tickled us. Over the past year delightful innovations and introductions in the maternity and parenting space have increased, and we feel we need a space to share our discoveries with you. Daily news stories on parenting also inspire us to communicate with you. As such, the Hotspot is now the Alpha Mom daily blog. Finally!
From time-to-time we will feature products that we like. Since there is no pay for play, we only feature products that excite us. However, we do want to know about new product and service introductions and innovations so feel free to drop us a note at contact@alphamom.com.
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This column is only for entertainment purposes. Any recommendations or information provided herein should not be used as a substitute for advice by a trained professional. For a full statement of our site policies, please click here.
Comments (9):
Heather said:
We love "Snowy Day" so much that the 3.5 year old can recite it. It's a the top of our "favorites" list. We also love the Shirley Hughes books. The illustrations aren't eye-popping, but she really captures the way children hold themselves, move and play with each other.
Posted on March 17, 2009 15:19
Busy Mom said:
We love The Snowy Day!
Three Bags Full is another pretty one: http://www.ecampus.com/book/9780531054864
And I like This is Baseball:
http://www.amazon.com/This-Baseball-Margaret-Blackstone/dp/0805051694
Posted on March 17, 2009 15:20
Alpha Mom said:
From our buddy on Twitter:
@mymomshops writes "Love the illustrations of Paris in children's book Adele and Simon. http://tinyurl.com/cb6afk"
Posted on March 17, 2009 18:51
Book Spout said:
Here's the book trailer for a beautiful book coming out from Philomel:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BqAh8GQSxgk
Posted on March 18, 2009 10:05
Design Mom said:
This topic is near and dear to my heart! Here are links to some of my favorite well-designed books for children:
Peter Spier's People
http://tr.im/hwfq
Freight Train
http://tr.im/hwfz
Sasek's This Is... Series
http://tr.im/hwg5
Bob Gill's books
http://tr.im/hwgl
John Segal's Reluctant Dragon
http://tr.im/hwgu
From Bruno Munari and Paul Rand
http://tr.im/hweA
Board books featuring art by Thiebaud and Andy Wharhol
http://tr.im/hweW
Almost Everything and Zoology
http://tr.im/hwgQ
Oh dear. I could go on and on. So many pretty books!
Posted on March 18, 2009 14:02
Katie said:
My daughters love Snowy Day, too.
Another visual favorite for me is Plum, a book of poems illustrated by Mary Grand-Pre, who illustrated the Harry Potter books. Stunning!
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Plum/Tony-Mitton/e/9780439364096/?itm=21
Posted on March 18, 2009 15:37
Amy said:
Some of our favorite illustrators are Jesse Wilcox Smith, Elsa Beskow, Tasha Tudor, and Lisbeth Zwerger. Our children spend hours pouring over any book they have done.
Posted on March 19, 2009 02:12
Cait said:
The Whale's song by Dyan Sheldon, Illustrated by Gary Blythe.
Wonderfully illustrated.
Posted on March 19, 2009 18:23
Blythe said:
We love Sasek's This Is... books too!
Also, Little Pea by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight? by Jane Yolen.
Posted on March 23, 2009 00:59