This week I share another of my favorite books: L’herbier des fées, written by Sébastien Perez and Benjamin Lacombe. I like how this book fell into my collection: A long time ago, when it was possible to visit public libraries, I saw this book on the table of books for sale. The public library made room and sold books that were a little damaged, not much borrowed, too old… On several occasions, I flipped through this book, put it down again. Back home, I told myself that if it was still there next time, I would take it. After all, 50 cents for a book, I wasn’t risking much. Well, I went back to the library the next day because the book was stuck in my head: it was a very well spent 50 cents! I like that the book has a story and that many children have looked at it before me.

This week I am sharing another of my favorite books: Jane, the Fox and Me, written by Fanny Britt and illustrated by Isabelle Arsenault. It is a discovery I made last year and which I have read and reread over and over again.

This week I’m sharing the beautiful book My Friend Fear, by Meera Lee Patel. For the past two years, going through the process of building myself back up after a concussion, I have became very well acquainted with Fear. It’s been a constant companion, and it can be incredibly vocal at some time and quite paralyzing. A book that is helping me shift my perspective on fear is this one, and that’s why I’m very excited to share it with you this week.

This week, I’m not sharing an illustrated book. I go upstream in the creative process, and bring you on a journey in ink making with the fascinating book Make Ink by Jason Logan from the Toronto Ink Company. Every time I buy a bottle of ink or a tube of paint, I wonder at how they are made, but I also ask myself if it’s not something I could do myself. I’m a big fan of DIYing my way through the house and already make my own deodorant, surface cleaner and vinegar, so why not my own inks?

A few summers ago, I discovered Frida Kahlo, her immense work and her fantastical life. Through books, I looked at her paintings and was mesmerized by the detail and lushness of her scenes. Some painting are incredibly rich and lively, while others leave you with a sense of foreboding and violence. When I learned more about the woman behind the artist, I was touched by her determination to always paint and love despite all the medical and personal difficulties she had to endure. All this to say, I was thrilled to find the beautifully illustrated biography by amazing artist Maria Hesse: Frida Kahlo, An Illustrated Life.

In this new year, when almost everyone is making the resolution to eat better, to say goodbye to chocolate and to do sports EVERY-CLAP-SINGLE-CLAP-DAY-CLAP, I offer you a very soft album on self-esteem, on body acceptance, and on the relationship we have to our bodies: Love your Body by Jessica Sanders and illustrated by Carol Rossetti. This book was written in English and then translated.

There are certain books that you need to warm your heart and just have a good time. The Pink Umbrella, by Amélie Callot and illustrated by Geneviève Godbout, is one of those.

Ah Beatrix Potter! I’ve always loved her cute watercolour illustrations and still have a painted plate that I used throughout my childhood adorned with Peter Rabbit. She is such a staple in children’s book illustration, it was only a matter of time until I shared this book with you: The Art of Beatrix Potter, by Emily Zach.

I’m very happy to share this book with you because it is one of my all time favourite books. I actually only received it this year for my birthday, but it has become such a precious read. An Illustrated Treasury of Swedish Folk and Fairy Tales is an anthology of all the stories that were illustrated by John Bauer, the genius Swedish illustrator.

This lovely book was given to me by my dad as a present. What a beautiful gift that I am very pleased to share with you here: “La Grande Bible des Fées” (The Great Fairy Bible) by Edouard Brasey.

A few weeks ago, I discovered a large and unexpected package in our mailbox. What a lovely surprise to find this gigantic book from one of our dear friends! This week, I’m sharing this lovely gift with you: Botanicum written by Kathy Willis and illustrated by Katie Scott.

I’m so excited to share this week’s book with you because I instantly fell in love with this artist’s work and waited impatiently for this book to arrive! You see, unlike the books I have shared so far, this one is an artist-published book and comes directly from Russia.

For my 30th birthday, I received this beautiful children's book... and I was so happy! "Comme la Princesse Elvire créa son propre royaume", written by Didier Lévy and illustrated by Charlotte Gastaut, is a beautifully illustrated book that tells a disturbing and inspiring story.

A few weeks ago, I shared Jessica Roux‘s beautiful book Floriography. Well, this week she is back again with another incredibly beautiful children’s book on fairies: A Natural History of Fairies, written by Emily Hawkins.

I’ve been so excited about this book for so long! I love Freya Hartas’ illustration style, and it is through her that I learned about this book. Here’s my review for Slow Down, written by Rachel Williams and illustrated by Freya Hartas.

Another rainy day find: the beautifully sweet and woderfully illustrated graphic novel, Kodi by Jared Cullum. I promise that I don’t only buy books on rainy days, but this one is another great rainy day find. I couldn’t resist this album all drawn in watercolours AND about a bear.

I’m starting this new book review section of my blog with a bang in the form of Jessica Roux‘s beautiful book: Floriography. On a rainy Wednesday, I found my way to the bookstore and almost by magic, I found Floriography a few days before it was announced to come out. I immediately brought it back home. There is something so fascinating about the Victorians and their own fascination with the natural world. It feels like magic to think about all the different hidden meanings they bestowed upon flowers. A bouquet becomes a whole conversation, a lone flower becomes a statement.