My thoughts on the School Library Journal article on why boys don't read is over at GLW. And yes, I'm a wee bit annoyed about it.

Meanwhile, one look at Laini Taylor's blog yesterday and I knew I was way outclassed. As her readers know, Laini is both an author and an artist but man - who knew she was the punk Martha Stewart as well? Wow! The cool thing about her though is that while Martha always makes me feel like I can't quite cut straight enough lines or fold my sheets correctly, Laini's pictures of wrapped presents and deserts make me feel...hopeful. I want to go find playing cards and use them as cool tags because how hard is that (and no cutting!). And honestly I want to be somebody who does things like that - who cuts and glues and makes a crafty fun pile of stuff. (Or bakes a pile of bars.) Wasn't that who we all kind of wanted to be in elementary school, back when it was just what you wanted to do and how you wanted to do it? And then somewhere, after those blissful years of cutting up National Geographics and rubber stamping brown paper to wrap your presents in, it just got hard.

Freaking Martha Stewart.

In celebration of all that Laini Taylor represents (which is just go be artistic and don't worry about the Marthas!) here are three books that I think are pretty darn fabulous and will jump start the creativity of anyone with a pulse. (You know what I mean.... :)

Dreams Through the Glass by Linda Fargo is actually about window dressing. I'm about the least fashionable person I know (unless we are talking jeans - I am way into jeans) but this inside look at Fargo's designs from the Bergdorf Goodman windows is the definition of sumptious beauty. We're talking gorgeous - but also surreal, fantastic and even fairy tale wicked. This is a coffee table book you fall into and will inspire in all sorts of ways that transcend its obvious target. (Fantasy writers in particular, I'm looking at you.)

Nick Bantock is famous for the Griffin and Sabine books but I really enjoyed his title about collage, Urgent 2nd Class. Bantock uses a lot of books, maps and money in his art and while he doesn't give step by step instructions here he does explain enough to make it relatively easy to duplicate his style (although I can't imagine being as good as he is at it). I like Bantock's old world style and use of book illustrations in his collages. This book is not as polished as the Griffin and Sabine books - not as lush - but the art is crisp and clean. If you have someone interested in historic documents this will be very appealing.

Somerset Studio has a whole line of magazines and books that pretty much keep every kind of crafty person in the country occupied. Signatures is a collection of art journals which is quite cool as there are so many different styles there is sure to be something here that will "speak" to anyone. This is not a how to publication (which the magazines are to a certain extent) but more a celebration of self expression. It's a reminder that some kids did make it out of elementary school with their artistic integrity intact - basically a bunch of artistic rebels to remind the rest of us that it's okay to take a chance.

Wouldn't it be great if the first time someone told you to stay in the lines or do the work as assigned or get it done quick so you could move on to the next task that you could just stood up, took a deep breath and said "No"? What kind of world would we live in if we all did that - if we all knew we could do that?

Go ask Laini - I think she's living in that world today. (And yes, I'm trying to get there too.)

[Post pic: A spread from Signatures; bottom pic one of "Laini's Ladies"]