Little Big Books: Illustration for Children’s Picture Books

Children see the world with different eyes. Through illustrated stories in children’s books they learn about the world in which they live. The best picture books for children not only feature wonderful stories, but also tell them in a visually appealing way. Children are very critical readers who simply cast aside books they deem boring, overzealous, pedantic, or visually unimaginative. Thankfully, a rich selection of contemporary children’s books is currently available. They deal with quite sophisticated topics and feature cuttingedge images. Despite, or because of, the ubiquity of televisions and computers, children’s books have remained popular with kids and parents. These books have also not lost their appeal for illustrators and publishing houses - not least because a hit children’s book can serve as the lucrative basis for TV programs, video games, toys, or other merchandising.

Little Big Books showcases the best examples of illustration for children’s books and documents current trends in their design. Reflecting a broad range of styles, methods, and materials, the images and concepts featured here provide an insightful overview of the most important aesthetic developments over the last several years. An introductory text puts the current work into the historical context of classic illustrated books for children.

Little Big Books is a valuable resource for illustrators, publishing houses, parents, grandparents, and anyone who is looking for compelling illustrated children’s books beyond teddy bears and kitty cats.