There was a lovely article by Jon Scieszka in the Los Angeles Times this past weekend - on a children's book roundup for 2009.
Fantastic to see Shaun Tan included with The Arrival, and Jeff Kinney's Diary of a Wimpy Kid is a must-mention. One of my favourite style of children's books - the ABC - is also represented with mention of A Is for Art by Stephen T. Johnson and Just in Case a Trickster Tale and Spanish Alphabet Book by Yuyi Morales.
Scieszka also talks of the increase in illustrated books... for older readers. Remember when we were young... chapter books were often peppered with drawings - if not throughout the book, at least as an illustriously illustrated chapter header.
'The graphic novel is booming,' says Scieszka, 'Comics, heavily illustrated texts, books with no words are now accepted as reading... Graphic storytelling is a great way to help kids get started reading. It's also a powerful artistic form in its own right.'
I couldn't agree more. I particularly adore children's books that not only inspire, but blend mediums to create a work of art children (and adults) will remember.
Scieszka goes on to say: 'The state of children's books? Thriving. Inspiring.'
Doesn't it make you smile?