The pud and I have developed a tradition of going to the library. Every week or two we make an event out of it. The first few times it was a struggle to keep her from running through the aisles like a monkey on steroid enhanced bananas. However, with time, explanations and an episode of Calliou, she has calmed down a bit and it is now something we both look forward to.

I consider it prime research time and am always on the look for books that I find with amazing illustrations. To share the love, I have decided to list the books and/or illustrators I have found. I'll call it living the Dream because it deals with Illustrators who have achieved some measure of success. I'll give websites when available, and any other information I can find.

Will Hillenbrand, Counting Crocodiles.
This is actually the book that started it all. I was a preschool teacher/student at the University of Texas in Austin and this was the teachers pick for the week. It inspired me to try this children's illustration thing. It is a fun and beautifully illustrated book that I really want to buy so I can stare at the line work and details everyday.

Helen Craig - Angelina Ballerina. Okay this is a bit of a sticky point for me. The pud watches the cartoon and was excited when we found the books. The illustrations are simply amazing. Charming, beautifully detailed, they are far above anything I could ever hope to create. But, it is only the early books that are her trademark style. The later books are based on the simplicity of the show and/or illustrated by someone else and simply lack the beautiful detail that makes the early work so incredible.

Kim Xiong - The Little Stone Lion. Beautiful, soft, warm, textured, amazing, amazing, amazing. We just got this one today but I am already in love. Now I need to try and find out as much as possible about this amazing artist.