The Greats
The Last of the Really Great Whangdoodles
There was a bit in this about how you should never look down when you walk because that meant you were missing all of the great things above you that I think about every time I find myself staring at the ground when I'm going somewhere. Also, there was a ship in it that had an ice cream machine that could make you whatever you wanted. Yes, I read this when I was twelve--that was important to me!
Harry Potter and the Philospher's Stone
Specifically the first book, specifically the UK edition. The magic of it is undeniable. I love Harry getting his own bedroom, I love him picking spiders off of his socks, I love Hagrid and his umbrella and Dudley's pig tail and the magic that JK created. I find it all so beautiful.
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland
Has anyone managed to create a more wildly vivid and dreamlike world than the one Lewis Carrol created here? Possibly, but I have yet to find it.
Dr Suess
His illustrations and his writing draw me in. I could live in his worlds...like, say, in his birthday book.
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
The Wizard and the Emerald City and Toto and Dorothy's shoes...
Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs
I love that the town of Chewandswallow is all a story and is probably all make-believe, but that it's so real that you have to wonder whether it actually really exists somewhere. The author and artist are both brilliant people.
The Big Rock Candy Mountain
A piece of music that teases my imagination and that I can listen to on repeat for hours. Maybe it's because my dad sang this to me when I was little, but I'm pretty sure I'll always love it.
Oh the buzzin' of the bees
In the cigarette trees
Near the soda water fountain
At the lemonade springs
Where the bluebird sings
On the big rock candy mountain
Bill PeetEverything he's ever written and illustrated. Everything.
King Bidgood's in the Bathtub
On top of having some of the most stellar illustrations I've ever seen, this is basically all about a king who likes taking baths with people. Everyone. Seriously, I'm not kidding, he's naked in the tub with everyone and it's a CHILDREN'S BOOK. (And I adore it.)
Denmark
This song and the video...holy mother Mary. I love it and despise it and want to watch it again and again and again. This is a collaboration between the Portland Cello Project and Two Penguins Productions.