I love finding inspiration from the world around me but nothing is quite like sitting down with a favourite book and cup of tea in hand, flicking through page after page of beautiful illustrations.

Over the years, I have collected a little library of floral, botanical, children’s illustrations and art books. Below are some of my favourites that have inspired me the most and that i hope can be a great start to your own library. l

Many of these I found second hand but I’ve added links below to where you can purchase them directly. Some of the links are affiliate links, which means I may earn a tiny commission ( at no extra cost to you). I have only included books I personally own and love!

I hope you enjoy this little peek into my library and maybe discover a new book to start or add to your own collection. I’d also love to hear about your favourites, i’m always looking for a new book to add to my book shelf!

1.

Nature's Palette:A colour reference system from the natural world:

I could spend hours flicking through this book, it is like an encyclopaedia full of illustrations of; animals, botanical flowers, shells, minerals and vegetables. This book is all about colour theory and there is loads of information about this, I however just love flicking through the pages that are sorted in different colour swatches with illustrations of the matching colours depicted in nature.

2.

Flower Colour Guide by Michael and Darroch Putnam

This is a flower reference book to categorise and sort flowers by colour. It is also great for finding out what season flowers are available in and what shades of colour they come in. I love to use this book when I'm stuck on a painting, and I need to find the perfect flower in a particular colour to fill the space I have left.

3.

The Flower year by Leila Duly

This is actually a colouring book but I love all the intricate illustrations and flower forms in this book. I often feel inspired to create similar flowers but in my own loose whimsical style whilst flicking through this book. I also love the hand written notes under some of the illustrations which actually inspired me to do my own little notes under my own art. I felt like this book also helped me a lot in the early days when I first started exploring floral illustrations as a textile designer a few years back.

4.

Basilius Besler. Florilegium. The Book of Plants

This book is probably my most opened book on my bookshelf. It is filled with beautiful botanical illustrations that are categorised into the four seasons. If I could only have one book for inspiration this would be it.

“The whole collection is regarded as one of the finest treasures of botanical literature; it was described by Carl Linnaeus, the legendary 18th-century botanist and zoologist, as an “incomparable work.””

5.

The Story of the Root Children by Sibylle von Olfers

I love collecting vintage children books, they have been a big inspiration for my illustrations of little people, fairies and mini worlds. This is such a sweet little book full of the cutest illustrations a little children holding flowers that are the root children heading out for spring. I also love to read this book to my own children and I definitely recommend if you have your own children, they will love it! The book flows through the seasons and embraces a Waldorf style of learning and a connection to nature.

6.

Children of the Forest by Elsa Beskow

Another Waldorf inspired book which flows through the seasons. It is filled with beautiful illustrations of nature, animals and little children wearing toadstool hats, which is just the sweetest! It is quite long so probably best suited for 4 + years depending on your child.

7.

Angelina’s Cinderella

This is the newest addition to my library, i love all the Angelina Ballerina books ( and so does my daughter) but i’m in love with the new Angelina book ‘Angelina’s Cinderella’ the illustrations are just stunning, and have actually inspired me to start drawing some more little animal characters ( stay tuned!)

I also want to mention I absolutely love all books by Enid Blyton and flower fairy books by Cicely Mary barker books, they are beautiful additions to have in your library. I usually find these books on Etsy or eBay or keep an eye out in your local op shops and you might score yourself one.

My favourite Books for Art and Illustration Inspiration.