Hello lovelies, I hope the sunshine has visited you today, it's been lovely here, hooray!
I love the style of illustrations from the 60s and 70s, and since having my own kids I have really enjoyed rediscovering picture books from my own childhood, and finding new gems from past and present. I have built up quite a collection of special books which will still be on my shelves long after my kids have left home!
The other day I was out for a rare child free potter round the shops, and while browsing one of my many local charity (sorry I just can't get used to calling them thrift!) shops, I came upon a pile of school reading books from the 70s; a lot of them were nothing special, but I'm glad I looked through them all because my goodness there were some treats hiding in there....
Aren't they lovely? Each book has lots of different stories with different styles of illustration, and none of the illustrators are properly credited, there's just a list of names at the beginning of each book. M has been struggling with his reading - partly because the books they give him at school are boring - but he's enjoying working his way through these stories, and when he's finished with them I think I'll be cutting them up and framing my favourite pictures.
While writing this I found out that Maurice Sendak has died at the age of 83, so goodbye and thanks to him. Where The Wild Things Are is one of my all time favourite books. RIP Maurice, you were a totally unique and precious talent who brought a bit of wildness and joy into millions of childrens lives.
Hope you've had a lovely, happy, colourful day.
Rachel x
