When I travel outside of the states I have this must-visit on my list that I often hit the second I've unpacked: Locate a book shop! Not only because I need to find magazines, cookbooks, interior design and craft books but I must locate the children's book section. One can learn a lot about a culture by visiting a local book store, don't you think? Illustrated books provide me with endless inspiration and are such a huge personal pick-me-up. I often flip through them imagining the day when perhaps I'll author my very own, and if it's not meant to be that I write a one that is sold in bookstores then I will write them once I become a mother for my own kids.

My aunt was a great lover of illustration and sent me books ever since I was a baby that made a deep impression on me. She paid such close attention to illustration and had great taste, as a fine artist and illustrator herself I now understand why she so carefully selected books for me. My favorite book was The Maggie B, I still have it and when I'm missing my aunt (she passed away at age 41)... I take it from my bookcase and read it because the story so perfectly captures the meaning of comfort and the joy of having a rich imagination, you instantly feel warm the moment you read it and the illustrations convey care and comfort so beautifully.

Here in Germany I escape to the bookstore whenever I need a break and recently discovered publisher Annette Betz and in particular the German illustrator Silke Leffler. I REALLY find her illustrations so full of whimsy and they have a definite fairytale feel to them. I immediately purchased Das Andersen M?rchenbuch because I really like the full page color illustrations. I'm studying German right now and such books help me to learn the language since I'm so visual, and you can't even believe how I use this point to my advantage when it comes to justifying the purchase of beautiful kiddie books. :)

If you also like Silke's work you can purchase a print from her at a website in the UK called EasyArt. She has designed bedding for IKEA that Inspire Co. blogged about here that is really sweet, too. I think it's available in the states in addition to IKEA in Germany.

Now I'm wondering... what is your favorite children's book? I like so many, but the Maggie B is at the top of my list because it's a very emotional imaginative tale and connects me back to my Aunt.

(images from silke leffler)