童年真美麗

童年真美麗 － I drew the kids, but the idea and eventual layout are by J. The kids, of course, are not ours. They are made by my Bro E and his wife M.

The oldest picture book on my shelf is a 1963 reprint of a small, pink cloth-bound book by Joan Walsh Anglund, Love is a Special Way of Feeling. I don't know how it came to be mine or how it is that I still have it with me, but I remember reading it as a child. That and some typical English animals-in-suits stories, plus Lady Bird versions of Hans Christian Anderson's fairy tales and Aesop's fables.

For as long as I have book shelves, I've kept a special shelf (or three) aside for children's picture books. So when J's design studio took on several commissions for children's books, I couldn't be more thrilled - yes, it's all justified now! So when J and I walked out of M and S's lovely store Woods in the Books this weekend with 3 more picture books, I felt no guilt. Finally. No longer an indulgence, but a work-related "investment".

Woods in the Books is an independent bookstore at Club Street that specialises in picture books. They also have a good collection of children's picture books from Taiwan and art by one of the owners moof aka Mike Foo.

If you visit Woods in the Books, also consider dropping by the cafe k.ki round the corner at Ann Siang Hill. There's a lot of care that has gone into making both stores. Respect!