Children's books from around the world

Ok, so maybe not around the whole world. Let's say...maybe...two countries.

I love children's books. I mean, it's obvious, right? I'm a member of The Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, and I'm sure you've all seen my work by now. If not, just look to the right and click on my Etsy shop there.

Anyway, the only things keeping me from buying a ridiculous pile of illustrated children's books and dragging them home are 1) I have no room. I already have bookshelves stuffed with my "grown-up" literature and 2) I have no kids. I suppose #2 doesn't matter that much, but it's nice to have an excuse to be lurking in the children's book section. Just wait until my niece or nephew is born in the spring. With an aunt like me, that kid better like to read!

I've visited about 8 European countries now. I love buying books and music from places I visit. But up until this past trip, it never occurred to me to buy children's literature while I was traveling. I found it difficult to forget about children's books in England however, especially when there's Paddington Bear memorabilia everywhere you go. I saw some stuffed Paddington bears at the Tower of London. Seriously. Beheading, the Crowned Jewels, and Paddington Bear.

I know you can buy Paddington books in the States, but I caved and bought one in London (probably for twice the price). How could I resist clutching a newly-purchased Paddington bear book under my arm - especially when I'd just been standing in Paddington Station?
The next book I bought was in Norway. Luckily for me, they had an edition printed in English (that's what the British flag in the corner of the book means). I probably would've bought a copy even if it was in Norwegian.
Norway (and most of Scandinavia, actually) loves their trolls. And really, fairy tales felt intrinsic to the Norwegian landscape. There were all these evergreen trees and little mustard-colored houses springing up on rocky shores. I believed there just might be trolls in the mountains. Or a witch in the woods who lived in a house made of gingerbread and candy.

I'm now wondering what great little children's books I missed in Italy, France, Sweden, Denmark, Spain, etc...

Anyone else hoard children's books? What are your favorites?

I'm baaaack!

I'm home from my 10 day vacation with my husband, parents, sister, and brother-in-law. We went to England, The Netherlands, Norway, Denmark, and Sweden. I am very jet lagged and now trying desperately to get back on track with exercise, sleep, and resuming a normal diet. Traveling and eating out every day is fun, but it can really take a toll on you.

I'm sure you guys will be happy to hear that I actually got a bit of sketching done on my vacation. Most of it is really quick gesture drawings. We were on a lot of coordinated tours, and were mostly rushed from site to site. On one hand, I am so lucky to even have the opportunity to see some of these places and works of art. On the other hand, it absolutely broke my heart to have a mere 45 minutes in the (very crowded) Van Gough museum or have to go running past a wall full of Rembrandts in order to meet the bus. Oh well. The point is that it was a good trip. I'll start posting images from my sketch book this week as soon as I can. I'll be working two jobs this summer, but I'm hoping I'll be able to find some time to blog regularly.

I am a little bit frazzled with all I have to get done this week, so I was happy to come home to find a message from my friend Karen telling me that my Iggy Inferno plush character had been featured in Etsy's Storque Spotlight. It's nice to see that even when I'm not able to maintain my site for a small period of time, people are still finding my work. (o:

Anyway, I feel like I need to do a lot of catching up. If any of you have news or updates for me from the last 10 days, please post! I'll be anxious to read them.