With one week and counting to the Children's Literature Contest deadline, I wonder if perhaps I can coax out a few last-minute entries by putting you back in touch with your inner child.

~Amy--Louise has brought the club *childrensillustrator to my attention. Go and check them out for more great illustrations:

Children's book illustrations can do wonders to enhance one's enjoyment of a good story. Truly memorable illustrations can stay with us for years; when we remember that particular story, we remember the pictures that went with it. Some authors have famously illustrated their own work. Beatrix Potter is known for the beautiful illustrations of her own animal stories, whilst the more contemporary and less cutesy Robin Jarvis illustrates his bizarre fantasy novels with strangely appealing bizarre fantasy drawings.

Other authors' work has developed such a close relationship with the illustrations of a particular artist that they are bound together like mother and child. Roald Dahl and Quentin Blake provide perhaps the most famous example; Terry Deary, author of the Horrible Histories series most often (and best) illustrated by Martin Brown, is another; others may remember the works of A.A. Milne, author of the original Winnie the Pooh, alongside the illustrations of E. H. Shepard.

Each of these artists has a very distinctive style that complements the stories perfectly. A well matched story and illustration is truly a thing of beauty.

To get your inner child clamouring to come out - and maybe even write a story or poem before it's made to go back in - I am featuring three of my favourite dA artists whose style I believe is suited to illustrating children's literature. I have selected four of my favourite pieces from each artist (and narrowing it down was not easy, I can tell you), and I hope these tasters will compel you to visit their galleries. Then, to finish off, I have found some fanart inspired by a few old favourites of mine.


If I find out that no one has ever compared *leftyfro to Beatrix Potter, I shall be very surprised. Her animal pictures - in some ways anthropomorphic, and in other ways not at all - are some of my favourite pieces on this site. There are many wonderful works in her gallery which always make me want to read, if not write, a traditional children's story.





There is something about *moonshine77's style that reminds me of Quentin Blake. It has a light, whimsical feel to it that puts me in mind of the kind of stories Roald Dahl used to write. But never let it be said that her style is not her own - this deviant's pictures are fun, charming and unique. She has a particular way with faces and expressions; her characters always have something behind the eyes.





It is my opinion that ~Eenuh's style of drawing is less traditional than that of the other two featured artists. I cannot think of any children's book illustrators to compare her to, although many of her works speak clearly to me of children. There is a magical, dreamlike feel to her gallery, and I just love the big smiles on some (though not all) of her characters' faces.




~Eenuh's illustrations of Alice's Adverntures in Wonderland by Lew Carroll:




*emla's illustration of Watership Down by Richard Adams:




~jill-calico's illustration of The BFG by Roald Dahl:




~CivetMoon's illustration of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis:




*momerath74's illustration of 'Rumplestiltskin' by the Brothers Grimm:




*joulee's illustration of 'Rapunzel' by the Brothers Grimm:




Putting this feature together was an absolute delight. Feel free to shower me with praise if you have enjoyed it, but don't forget to go and leave the artists themselves some lovely comments as well.