Monday Inspiration

Ok, so it's late Monday, but I still have a few hours.  Lots of sad things have been happening in the world lately, and in my life too really.  Inspiration can be hard to come by, but right now I am really up!  I think it's this crazy Kink's song I am rocking out to..."Picture Book".  Actually, that's an amazing segway to today's inspiration - children's books!!!

My first foray into children's books was our Lippencott readers in Kindergarden.  I was four years old when I read my first words.  MAGIC!!

After that some of my favorites were...

  

How about you? What are your faves?

My first attempt at writing a children's book was, I think, in third grade.  We had first grade buddies and I made my buddy an elaborate halloween book in the shape of a haunted house.  I worked so hard on it, but found it pure joy.  I remember the mother of my buddy being so impressed with it that she personally delivered handmade treats to me and thanked me profusely in front of the whole class.  I couldn't understand why she was making such a big deal out of it, but was thrilled with the rice krispy balls!

This interesting artifact is the inside cover to a journal a friend gave me in 1988 (my junior year of high school).  This was the first time I really thought of being a children's book author/illustrator.  I was 16.

I have an absurdly large collection of children's books.  Some that are mine from childhood, some I bought as an adult before I had kids, and then, of course many that I bought for my girls.

I've even been known to scour thrift store shelves looking for out of print treasures. This was one of my favorite finds (below).  I am mildly obcessed.

I guess I love their directness.  The vivid imagery.  The way they gently point out the absurdity of the adult world.  So much can be said with so few words. I have read some children's books (like Peach and Blue below) that have brought me to tears with their simple beauty.

I'm sure many of you know that tomorrow is Dr. Suess's birthday (ironically, it is also my wedding anniversary!!)  He is the king of modern children's literature and definitely an inspiration.  A total original.

Happy birthday Dr. Seuss and Happy Anniversary to me and my hubby.  I would love to hear about your favorite books as a child, or your family's favorite read-aloud and I hope you've been inspired to...
TAKE THIS INSPIRATION AND MAKE SOMETHING GREAT!!!.... or just read to a kid.