Candy Illustrators
If illustrators were candy, I'd fill my pantry with Oliver Jeffers. I'd drive to stores beyond the city limits, I'd stuff him in my pockets and purse, I'd give baskets of him at Christmas, and happily lose my teeth to Jeffers cavities. Hungry? Check out This Moose Belongs to Me , Stuck , or The Way Back Home . And The Incredible Book Eating Boy . Yum. When I discovered Oliver Jeffers had teamed up with John Boyne (of The Boy in the Striped Pajamas fame), I was ecstatic. Boyne's book, Noah Barleywater Runs Away (illustrated by Oliver Jeffers) took me back to a specific world of fairytales that I haven't visited this clearly since childhood. Part Pinocchio , part The Phantom Tollbooth (by Juster--another favorite), this book is not only beautifully written (with occasional illustrations), it is a uniquely-told tale that reminded me I was not too old to be surprised and delighted by a story. Perfect for ages 8-12. Or 30+. The best part? The Boyne'n'J