Books that sparked my career

This is a part of a text that I wrote for the booklet about me that was published in France in 2021. Rachel Lawson had the good idea to translated it for Gecko Press's newsletter (NZ).

I discovered children’s literature in the form of picture books in the local library when my son was young. I knew a few good books from my childhood, but I didn’t imagine they would be just the tip of the iceberg. Some books were revelations!

What I discovered most, during those days, was the great joy of reading together with your child. When we came across a book that we both liked, it was miraculous. Laughing together, admiring, being moved. I fell in love with children’s literature.

These books were my first steps on the road to becoming a children’s writer and illustrator.

 

 

 

Little Bear by Else Holmelund Minarik, illustrated by Maurice Sendak, with its tender and true dialogue.

 

 

 

 

Winnie-the-Pooh, by A. A. Milne, illustrated by the brilliant Ernest Shepard. I love his joyful, absurd humour and his ability to create emotion out of small everyday events.

 

 

 

 

Arnold Lobel: Frog and Toad, Mouse Tales, Owl at Home…masterpieces of poetry and humour, with a little background of sadness that makes these books so complete. The drawings are also magnificent.