Andrew Henry's Meadow by Doris Burn

I really thought I'd blogged about this one before. But I must just have thought about it, and never actually done it. Anyway Andrew Henry's Meadow is one of our most beautiful well, loved books. It's particularly popular at the moment as my youngest has recently got a bit more patient and I can read picture books with a bit more bite. And we can take some time to examine the detail in the illustrations. Which is one of the amazing things about this book. Look, here is one of Andrew Henry's inventions.

and here's a close-up. (And that's just a fraction of the whole thing. Its ALL beautiful.)

Created in 1965, Andrew Henry is inventive. The middle child of five, neither his siblings, or parents appreciate his creative nature.

And so he decides to take off for a while.

My photos have come out too dark for some reason but there are millions of details in these drawings; tools, toys and household objects which make them a joy to explore.

Anyway, Andrew Henry goes to a meadow he knows, and builds himself exactly the type of house he wants, where no one complains about him.

And, before long, other kids whose interests are not appreciated at home, appear.

First,  a little farmers daughter who loves birds.

Later, a musician who can now be as loud as she likes.

Then someone who wants to be Lady Jane, rather than plain Jane.

Before long, the meadow is full.

But, the children are missed and are eventually reunited with worried parents.

And Andrew Henry gets his own spot for his inventions, where his family finally appreciate them.

For ages four and up.