The Velveteen Rabbit, reimagined with uncommon tenderness by Japanese illustrator Komako Sakai

The Magic Boat – absolutely amazing 1929 “interactive” picture-book by Freud’s eccentric niece (named Tom!), adapted into animated GIFs.

For a deliciously geeky Valentine’s Day, The Dot and the Line: A Romance in Lower Mathematics – a vintage gem by Norton Juster

The Missing Piece Meets the Big O – Shel Silverstein’s sweet illustrated allegory about the simple secret of love, a gentle reminder that the best relationships don’t complete us but let us grow and become more fully ourselves.

The Cat and the Devil – for James Joyce’s birthday, his little-known children’s book written in letters to his grandson. See more here.

For James Joyce’s birthday, his charming recently discovered children’s book, written in letters to his grandson

For Langston Hughes’s birthday, his little-known and wonderful children’s book about jazz

Wisdom on control and the paradox of surrender from a vintage Scandinavian children’s book by the inimitable Tove Jansson. 

BOOKS! – absolutely wonderful vintage illustrated love letter to books from 1962.

The Velveteen Rabbit was published on December 16, 1922 – celebrate with young Maurice Sendak’s little-known illustrations

John Lennon was killed on this day in 1980 – celebrate him with the vintage gem We Love You, Beatles

“Simply put, no modern activity book could compare.”

The Paris Review digs up and extols a vintage children’s book titled McCall’s Giant Golden Make-it Book, which looks like the best thing since the 1958 gem How to Do Nothing with Nobody All Alone by Yourself.

Also: Everything I Need To Know I Learned From a Little Golden Book.

A Stocking for Kitten – such beautiful vintage children’s book illustrations of domestic life and craft in Eastern Europe in a story about entitlement, empathy, and ethics, with a large helping of grandmotherly love.

Umbrella – absolutely wonderful illustrated love letter to time, anticipation, and the art of waiting by mid-century Japanese artist Taro Yashima