Finding Creative Inspiration in Children’s Books
Pull up a bean-bag chair and let me tell you a story. Everyone runs out of inspiration some days. When it starts to happen, I step away from the screen and head to my bookshelf or local library for a kid’s book. There’s nothing like feeding your inner child to get the creative juices flowing.
Children’s picture books take you back to that time in childhood when you were not afraid to try new things. They also inspire with beautiful artwork, design, and storytelling. They’re filled with uncluttered inspirations and creative thoughts.
It could be a book from when you were a wee thing or books you’ve discovered recently. Find your inner child again. I’m positive it will help your work. It’s definitely helped mine.
Here are 6 picture-book classics that I love. Are any of these books familar?
What Do People Do All Day?
Do you remember Farmer Alfalfa, Huckle Cat, and the other inhabitants of Busytown? Or perhaps you grew up loving another Richard Scarry book like A Day at the Airport or Cars and Trucks and Things That Go?
- Learn more about Richard Scarry
- Buy the book
The Very Hungry Caterpillar
“In the light of the moon a little egg lay on a leaf.” Eric Carle makes incredible use of color and book design, with minimal text. Who knew painted tissue paper and collage work could come to life like this?
- Read this Eric Carle interview
- Buy the book
The Bears’ Picnic
“Mother bear, put your apron away, we are going to go on a picnic today.” Written and illustrated by Jan and Stan Berenstain, this is the epic tale of the Berenstain bears’ quest for the perfect picnic spot. Remember when Papa Bear gets fried by lightning?
- Learn more about Jan and Stan Berenstain
- Buy the book
The Snowman
This beautiful tale of a boy and a snowman is told without words. Raymond Briggs is a wonderful illustrator and storyteller, with many beautiful books including Fungus the Bogeyman and Ethel and Ernest, the story of his parents.
- Read this Raymond Briggs interview
- Buy the book
The Paper Bag Princess
Out of the many books by author-illustrator pair, Robert Munsch and Michael Martchenko, this is my favorite. When a dragon burns down the castle and carries off Prince Ronald, Princess Elizabeth must rescue him.
- Learn more about Robert Munsch and Michael Martchenko
- Buy the book
Where the Wild Things Are
I can’t leave out this classic from Maurice Sendak. Apparently, the wild things were originally horses, but Sendak couldn’t draw them well, so he switched to monsters. According to Sendak, he based them on his relatives.
- Listen to this Maurice Sendak interview
- Buy the book
I’m sure I’m missing some classics on this list. Which children’s books inspire you?
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What a great idea! I would have never thought of it, but I can see where a Richard Scarry book could pry open a sealed mind and help me make connections I would not have otherwise considered.
I frequently go to the library when I get stuck, but I head upstairs to the adult rooms. From now on I will do some browsing in the Children’s room as well.
Thanks for the suggestion.
Absolutely. Eric Carle in particular got me thinking the other day about authenticity in branding http://www.idapostle.com/featured/best-design_branding-and-marketing-book-ever/#more-2814
that is a really great idea, i don’t have kids yet so i guess i really don’t get to look at children s books very often! nice post!
The Adventures of Harold and the Purple Crayon, hands-down.
Harold and the Purple Crayon was the very first book I ever purchased with my hard earned chore money. This was a stunning book full of creativity! I loved the monotone pallette Harold’s world was rendered in.
The Monster at the End of this Book! http://www.amazon.com/Monster-Sesame-Street-Little-Golden/dp/0307010856
I had forgotten all about it until my niece read it to me the other day. Lessons:
1. Monsters are lovable
2. Even when they’re you
Gotta love Harold and the Purple Crayon!
Dr Seuss: How the Grinch Stole Christmas and The Lorax
I also loved the creativity behind The Jolly Postman
Actually “Wo die wilden Kerle wohnen” (the German title popped up instantly when taking a look at the displayed book cover) did inspire me to start with drawing at all
It’s one of those books I know from my childhood.
cu, w0lf.
Hey, what about The Little Engine That Could? If that book doesn’t describe us wee little freelancers, I don’t know what does.
Haha no doubt!
Thanks Martha! That’s a great image to get me going this morning!
The Animals Who Changed Their Colors, by Pascale Allamand. To this day I can still remember reading that book over and over when I was a child. Nothing helps me unlock my inner child better then that book.
I love so many of these books!
Also, there’s a great book that is so inspirational, full of natural illustrations. Jeannie Baker created ‘Where the forest meets the sea’ when I was a kid, and I loved it so much I went to an exhibition of some of the original illustrations. Brilliant stuff.
http://www.jeanniebaker.com/picture_books_index.htm
Thanks Sophie – I’ll definitely check this book out. I’m always on the lookout for new and interesting kid’s books!
The Hungry Caterpillar is a classic.
Oh the Berenstain bears! I used to read this when I was a little girl… over and over again. XD
Thanks for this post. It’s definitely one I’ll keep if I’m looking for children’s books to buy for my baby girl once she starts learning how to read.
How about Dr Seuss Oh The Places You’ll Go. I bought that for my daughter when she was little, and we wore out the pages reading it. I still have it on my bookshelf, even though she’s 15. She can quote some of the pages because we read it so much. It’s still my favorite gift when friends and relatives graduate – its very motivational.
Children’s books are always great for inspiration. One of my daughter’s favorites is “Good Night Moon”.