​I've noticed a trend when I post about books that I love...

... the imagery is beautiful.
​... this book has beautiful images.
​... also, the artwork is beautiful.
​... beautiful artwork.

​I think it's safe to say I often choose a book based on its illustrations. Given the artwork in children's books is so important to me, I thought I'd share my thoughts on the kind of artwork I love and why. 

One quality I like is for the artwork to be vague and open-ended... more like a prompt to create an image than a pre-made picture. Just as imagination is the child's work in play, it is also the child's work in listening to stories. Giving a child space to imagine a character or a scene allows him to make it what he needs it to be to be relevant to his life. 

   [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="475"]<img src="https://yellow-ladybird.micro.blog/uploads/2026/2c18c2193c.jpg" alt=" ​Beach, Elisha Cooper ">  ​Beach, Elisha Cooper [/caption] 



   [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="400"]<img src="https://yellow-ladybird.micro.blog/uploads/2026/3367e77dfd.jpg" alt=" The ​Hello, Goodbye Window, artwork by Chris Raschka ">  The ​Hello, Goodbye Window, artwork by Chris Raschka [/caption] 



   [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="400"]<img src="https://yellow-ladybird.micro.blog/uploads/2026/9a612a3728.jpg" alt=" ​A Color of His Own, by Leo Lionni ">  ​A Color of His Own, by Leo Lionni [/caption]

But the artwork doesn't have to be vague to inspire. I love these pictures - even though they are well-defined, they still allow one to imagine movement. That is, they are not outlined in black ink with a shallow, still feel to them (i.e., Dora, Thomas the Train). They have depth and beauty.

   [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="400"]<img src="https://yellow-ladybird.micro.blog/uploads/2026/8965a4ca02.jpg" alt=" Inside All, artwork by Holly Welch ">  Inside All, artwork by Holly Welch [/caption] 



   [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="400"]<img src="https://yellow-ladybird.micro.blog/uploads/2026/1c3a94573a.jpg" alt=" ​Owl Babies, artwork by Patrick Benson ">  ​Owl Babies, artwork by Patrick Benson [/caption] 



   [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="400"]<img src="https://yellow-ladybird.micro.blog/uploads/2026/30c7d3a063.jpg" alt=" ​The Serpent who came to Gloucester, artwork by Bagram Ibatoulline ">  ​The Serpent who came to Gloucester, artwork by Bagram Ibatoulline [/caption]

And then there is artwork that is done through different mediums. I love the creativity and work that went into creating these.

   [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="311"]<img src="https://yellow-ladybird.micro.blog/uploads/2026/7091d437ec.jpg" alt=" ​Teddy, by Enid Warner Romanek. (The illustrations are from etchings done on zinc plates on the artist's own etching press) ">  ​Teddy, by Enid Warner Romanek. (The illustrations are from etchings done on zinc plates on the artist's own etching press) [/caption] 



   [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="400"]<img src="https://yellow-ladybird.micro.blog/uploads/2026/924ba39174.jpg" alt=" ​The Cat Who Wouldn't Come Inside, by Cynthia von Buhler. (The illustrations are photographs of a set the artist designed and created - using clay, hand sewn clothing, a homemade dollhouse, and various other materials) ">  ​The Cat Who Wouldn't Come Inside, by Cynthia von Buhler. (The illustrations are photographs of a set the artist designed and created - using clay, hand sewn clothing, a homemade dollhouse, and various other materials) [/caption]

Finally, there is artwork that ​is just plain awesome. David Wiesner's Art & Max, for example.

  <img src="https://yellow-ladybird.micro.blog/uploads/2026/e11caeaa32.jpg" alt="">



  <img src="https://yellow-ladybird.micro.blog/uploads/2026/bc04dfab5e.jpg" alt="">

What are some of your favorite illustrators?​