Why is a raven like a writing desk?* More on topic, how is a bad query sent to an editor like a personal ad? Last April The Rejectionist sought to answer this very question in Love is Like a Bottle of Query and I couldn’t help but figure that it would make a superb Valentine’s Day link for you all.
That seems insufficient fodder for today’s post, though. So just for the heckuvit, here is a list of my favorite romantic picture books. Howsoever you wish to interpret them.
The Duchess of Whimsy by Randall de Seve, illustrated by Peter de Seve – Not only was it written by a husband and wife team (an inherently romantic proposition) but it also features one of my favorite love stories. You have a Duchess who is only interested in whimsical things and the practical fellow who loves her. I’m a fan. Plus it’s a real treat to the old eyeballs.
The Marzipan Pig by Russell Hoban – The saddest Valentine’s Day book on this list and long out of print. Nevertheless I love that book, and I love the little film that was made of it long long ago. You can catch a section of it here if you like:
The Owl and the Pussycat by Edward Lear, illustrated by Stephane Jorisch – I understand that there are as many different picture book versions of this book as there are drops of water in the sea. Everyone from Hilary Knight to James Marshall has adapted this poem at some point (probably because it’s the rare standalone poem that converts to the picture book format so easily). My personal favorite amongst these versions, however, is Jorisch’s. This isn’t just a story about two different species getting together. No, in Jorisch’s world it’s two different lifestyles. The owl is all buttoned up business suit and the cat this Greenwich Village, thick soled boot-wearing artist. Yet impossibly they get together and wed. How awesome is that?!
Henry in Love by Peter McCarty – A love story appropriate for the schoolyard set. More of a crush really. In this sweet tale a little cat has a crush on a rabbit in his class. They reach a mutual understanding all thanks to a bright blue muffin. Aside from making me hungry for muffins (particularly those of irregular colors) McCarty employs a really gorgeous pen to the illustrations in this book. Little wonder it appeared on the 5 Comments on Happy Valentine’s Day!!, last added: 2/15/2011
Fun list! I’m glad you included Mrs. Rubinstein’s Beauty, I love that book. I can’t wait to check out that version of The Owl and the Pussy-Cat.
Big smooch to Lady Bird for Valentine’s! Thanks for that list!
Another favorite Valentine’s story, also not about a couple, but about the love of a sibling for another is Shirley Hughes’s “Dogger.”
I’m in love with HENRY IN LOVE. Can a book be one’s valentine?
This list makes me happy. I think it might be because I’m tiring of YA dystopian novels even though some are sooo good. I love picture books.