Yesterday a lot of you may have been getting romantic with your special someone and sometimes with romance comes love-making and well – expected or unexpected bundles of joy, so on that note, I thought I’d showcase some children’s picture books from our favorite artists. Enjoy! I hope you had a very happy Valentine’s Day!

We’ve seen these two working together before as Harley and Boss, and now these dynamo artists have created a children’s book entitled, Little Paper Daydream.

About the book: “Little Paper Daydream is a magical story of a young boy’s imaginative journey. Everyone is invited on this fantastical, friend-filled adventure through whimsical landscapes created by Andrea Kang and Nathan Jurevicius. This book was designed using a combination of cut paper and digital processes to create the signature ‘Harley & Boss’ look. Using a variety of premium papers, Andrea Kang and Nathan Jurevicius scan each pattern and texture into their computer to give the illustrations a hand crafted aesthetic. The final product reflects a collaborative juxtaposition between ink work and graphic paper forms.”

East Dragon, West Dragon with illustrations by Scott Campbell

You’ll know Scott C. from his books Amazing Everything (available at mph) and The Great Showdowns.

About the book: “East Dragon and West Dragon live on opposite sides of the world. They have never met—and they like it that way. East Dragon is sure that West Dragon’s huge wings mean that he is very, very strong. West Dragon fears that East Dragon’s long, swishy tail means that he is very, very fierce. But when some meddlesome knights start a riff between their two kingdoms, East Dragon and West Dragon are finally forced to come face-to-fire-breathing-face. Might the two dragons finally discover they aren’t so different after all?”

Scribe co-wrote and illustrated There’s an Octopus Under My Bed!

About the book: “Beds aren’t only for sleeping. Sometimes, like boats or trains or planes, they can take whoever’s in them on fantastic trip. In There’s an Octopus Under My Bed, young Elijah goes on a faraway jaunt without leaving his bedroom. The trip takes him to the Galapagos Islands and beyond, and along the way he meets some very unusual creatures. He also learns how to deal with new and sometimes scary situations, and discovers the importance of making new friends while sticking by the old ones. Dean Blase’s memorable prose brings a gentle sense of whimsy to Elijah’s unexpected adventures, while D. Ross’s illustrations portray the creatures, including the title one, as amusing and memorable. Originally rendered with spray paint and then transferred to the computer screen, Ross’s dazzling illustrations are sure to please both young readers and the adults with whom they share this read-aloud treasure.”

Scribe’s love for books shines through at Pow Wow Hawaii 2013

Find Scribe’s Resound Field Guide figures here at mph.

Oliver Jeffers, a featured artist in last year’s Rabid, Wild & Docile show at mph, is also a prolific children’s book author and illustrator. This Moose Belongs to Me is one of his latest releases.

About this book: “Wilfred is a boy with rules. He lives a very orderly life. It’s fortunate, then, that he has a pet who abides by rules, such as not making noise while Wilfred educates him on his record collection. There is, however, one rule that Wilfred’s pet has difficulty following: Going whichever way Wilfred wants to go. Perhaps this is because Wilfred’s pet doesn’t quite realize that he belongs to anyone.”

As a former children’s librarian, I am always excited to get my hands on a new picture book, but if these aren’t up your alley, check out all the the books and magazines mph carries including, issues of Hi-Fructose, Skinner’s Every Man is My Enemy and many more!