Things noted but often taken for granted in the art of childrens' books include the text in relation to imagery (typography, scale, colour etc.), stylisation of characters and backgrounds, and of course the target audience. Morals are important... or are they?
Owl Babies, written by Martin Waddell and illustrated by Patrick Benson. In my opinion, Benson deserves a Wikipedia page, but unfortunately no article yet exists. He has also illustrated the Minpins, adhering well to the ominous menace of Dahl's imagination. This was one of my favourite books as a toddler, and scenes (such as the red smoke that the terrifying monster breathed as it chased the protagonist) have stuck in my mind since I was three. The Minpins (which I am in the process of getting my hands on and making available online) is an example of where Quentin Blake's style is inappropriate to illustrate Dahl's ideas, and the underrated Benson renders enormous ideas lifelike and terrifying. Anyhoo, back to Owl Babies (which I believe also deserves its own Wikipedia article!). The use of contrast is lovely, and while the colour palette is dark, it is also warm and earthy, therefore inviting. It is now that I am beginning to journey off into this tangent that is the realm of childrens' books, and am beginning to comprehend the concepts of double-page spreads and relation of text to image (in this case, text in image). And thank you so much to this user for posting a lovely (and professional-looking!) animation of the book.
The Tail of the Whale (yes, the Amazon page was the best I could find, I reccommend reading the entire book here) written by Ellie Patterson and illustrated by Christine Pym. At least Pym has her own site, and a nice blog too. The visual style achieved in this book has everything I seek to create when painting for myself(/Camberwell): surrealness, cuteness, youthfulness, colour, line and a certain truth to material (watercolour). I enjoy the subject matter too; a character who is used to the grey mundanity of this world being transported to somewhere fun, but not a complete fantasy, rather a concept that is real and achievable in the natural world around us.
Once again I recommend reading the entire book here. For once again it seems that the best link to the book is via Amazon. Amazon also links one to a list of other Helen Ward books. It seems she is an author and illustrator, but I can find little information online. However, she did illustrate Dragonology; a big, fun book about dragons for ages 7-13 which I possess, and will upload in full when the time is write. Helen Ward is credited as 'scientific artist' on the Wiki page, and if you read The Dragon Machine, you will see why. She uses a delicate and intricate style, that is both dreamlike and detailled, to convery ideas in great precision. I am reminded of pointillism (an impressionistic style), despite how removed the techniques and media are.
Helen Ward and Wayne Anderson also collaborated in producing The Tin Forest, a book that appears to have a similar atmosphere and target audience. Wayne Anderson does have his own site, and here is the gallery. What a talented man.
Cleverly and poigniantly subverting the aforementioned morals, Gaiman and McKean create wonders similar to their other works [the Sandman], and a different and darker take on the words-in-the-pictures stories for children.
The Day I Swapped My Dad For Two Goldfish written by Neil Gaiman and illustrated by Dave McKean. I strongly reccommend reading the entire book here, as this book is
double the amount of pages of the previous three books. It's allowed to be though. It's for the mums and dads.
McKean has another credible site and a good Wikipedia entry. He has already established himself as the cover artist to Gaiman's Sandman graphic novel series... which I totally advocate!!
Thanks to this YouTube user for uploading an excellent animation of the book, remaining faithful to McKean's illustrations.
The award-winning The Wolves in the Walls is also written by Neil Gaiman and illustrated by Dave McKean.
I also reccommend reading this fascinating 60-page here!!!
Though beautiful, deep, visually captivating, magical and sinister, the aforementioned two books are not the route I will be persuing, as they are concepts in themselves, and not for any specific target audience save those faithful to Gaiman and McKean - this was my incentive to read them!
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