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One of my favorite things to collect are beautifully illustrated fairy tales. I have tried to gather a lot of varieties over the years (especially some of the volumes that I had as a child). To me a children's book is just not complete without beautiful pictures to accompany the story. Here is a list of some of my all-time favorites:
Hilary Knight's Cinderella. This book was a favorite of my sisters and I. The re-telling itself is sweet, but the pictures are absolutely incredible. Each page has lots of tiny details, and I love the whimsical feel of Knight's artwork. If you look carefully, you can also find the fairy godmother hidden throughout most of the story.
Rumpelstiltskin by Paul O. Zelinsky. Zelinsky's re-telling is pretty straightforward, but the paintings are really what bring the story to life. Each scene and character looks like they walked off the fabric of an ancient medieval woven tapestry. My favorite picture is Rumpelstiltskin himself riding around a bonfire on a giant cooking spoon.
The Sleeping Beauty by Mercer Mayer. This book has it all: a fantastic retelling, and some of the most beautiful and ethereal artwork you will ever see! Mercer Mayer made a name for himself with his famous children's books about Little Critter, however, he really comes into his own with The Sleeping Beauty. This is hands-down the best version of the story I have ever read, and I could look for hours at his gorgeous watercolor images. Unfortunately this wonderful book is out-of-print, or I would buy a copy for all my friends!
Classic Fairy Tales by Scott Gustafson. If you're looking for a large compilation of fairy tales with lots of great pictures, then this is the book for you. Gustafson's re-tellings are adequate, but his paintings are breathtaking. His art for Snow White and Puss in Boots are two of my favorites, and fortunately his books are available at most of the popular retailers. I hope you enjoy these books as much as I have. Happy reading!
Do you have a fairy tale worthy of my list? Let's hear it!
If you're anything like me, I am always on the lookout for a great story to read to my little cupcake...especially during the holidays!This short, sweet, whimsical little Christmas book is for the young and young at heart. Santa is getting ready for the big night, but grumpy Thomas Bunk is going to do his darndest to make sure it doesn't happen.
With gorgeous, colorful illustrations, and lots of clever rhyming - Laughing All the Way is sure to become your new favorite holiday tradition!
Oh yes, and did I mention that the illustrator, Sophie Soprano, is my aunt? Which makes it all the more special to me. Merry Christmas and happy reading!
This amazing book, illustrated by Paul Rogers and written by Bob Dylan, will change the way you view children's literature forever. 
The story is merely the lyrics from one of Bob Dylan's most famous songs, Forever Young, but the illustrations are really what transcend this book to greatness. With extreme attention to detail, Paul Rogers takes us to Bob Dylan's New York City of the 1960's. Everywhere we see changes. The music scene is undergoing a radical transformation. There is political unrest. Civil rights are making head-way. And throughout each of the paintings, we see snippets of people and places that helped to shape the American culture.The illustrations are not merely incredibly beautiful, but help to tell the story. I found myself going back through the book and finding things I didn't catch the first time around. At the end of the book, Mr. Rogers talks about each of the pictures, what they mean, and gives little insights into the details. Of course he doesn't reveal everything - that would take away the fun! With a beautiful, inspiring message, and lots of enchanting pictures, this is a book for children and parents to read and enjoy together. Please do yourself a favor and pick up a copy of Forever Young for your family. *Dig yourself.* Happy reading!
One of the things I love about the most about the holidays, is all of the great children's books that are available. One of my little cupcakes' favorites, is a Halloween story titled, Where is Baby's Pumpkin? Each page is done in bright, colorful illustrations, and even has textures like velvet and sparkles.
The story follows "Baby", who is looking for her pumpkin so she can go trick-or-treating. You must help her locate the pumpkin by looking under hidden flaps and behind cupboard doors. It's short and sweet, but my little boy loves to turn the pages, and to have me read it to him over and over. I think we got our copy at Borders, but I've also seen it at Walmart and Target (there is an entire series of "Baby" books by author Karen Katz). Happy Halloween reading!
Hilary Knight's Cinderella. This book was a favorite of my sisters and I. The re-telling itself is sweet, but the pictures are absolutely incredible. Each page has lots of tiny details, and I love the whimsical feel of Knight's artwork. If you look carefully, you can also find the fairy godmother hidden throughout most of the story.
Rumpelstiltskin by Paul O. Zelinsky. Zelinsky's re-telling is pretty straightforward, but the paintings are really what bring the story to life. Each scene and character looks like they walked off the fabric of an ancient medieval woven tapestry. My favorite picture is Rumpelstiltskin himself riding around a bonfire on a giant cooking spoon.
The Sleeping Beauty by Mercer Mayer. This book has it all: a fantastic retelling, and some of the most beautiful and ethereal artwork you will ever see! Mercer Mayer made a name for himself with his famous children's books about Little Critter, however, he really comes into his own with The Sleeping Beauty. This is hands-down the best version of the story I have ever read, and I could look for hours at his gorgeous watercolor images. Unfortunately this wonderful book is out-of-print, or I would buy a copy for all my friends!
Classic Fairy Tales by Scott Gustafson. If you're looking for a large compilation of fairy tales with lots of great pictures, then this is the book for you. Gustafson's re-tellings are adequate, but his paintings are breathtaking. His art for Snow White and Puss in Boots are two of my favorites, and fortunately his books are available at most of the popular retailers. I hope you enjoy these books as much as I have. Happy reading!
