Illustrator Soetkine Aps
When we're on a city trip abroad, Helmut and I both have our own 'shopping recipe': I like to visit all kinds of nice and surprising art/craft/design/interior shops, while he has to check out each book shop we encounter. Even when we are in a country where books are published in a language that he doesn't understand a word of, we still have to visit each book shop 'because they might have something in the English book section that could be interesting'. (The English book section usually is the same shelf with Dan Brown pockets and some chicklit everywhere, but whatever... It's the hunting that counts, isn't it?)
Though I'm not that interested in English bestseller pockets, I'm hardly ever bored when I accompany Helmut on one of his book shop visits, because a lot of books can always be found that speak a more universal, visual language. I usually find those at the children's book department, and I think lots of beautiful children's books deserve more recognition than 'Ah, they're just fun for children'.
In Ghent for example I discovered a lovely book called Het telfeest ('The counting party'), illustrated by the talented young Belgian illustrator Soetkine Aps. Her illustrations are so joyous, bright and colorful and they really put a smile on my face. The book is aimed at children of about four years old, but i think it's colorful visual language can speak to people of all ages. I'm definitely putting the book on our baby's wish list (I seriously wonder for how long I can keep deciding what's on our baby's wish list... I bet when she's a bit like her mother that she'll take over soon!).
Comments
Here are some books I adored when I was little to add to your (ever-growing) wishlist: