Until relatively recently, the craft of making a picture book has been somewhat overlooked. Despite the enduring popularity of greats such as Maurice Sendak, Beatrix Potter, and Raymond Briggs, to name but a few, the medium has fought an uphill struggle to shake off a historically uncool reputation.
Thankfully, their fortunes are on the up. Agile publishers and champions of the form have raised the profile of picture books to new heights, and the stunning works of contemporary authors such as Shaun Tan, Beatrice Alemagna, and Jon Klassen have been exposing audiences of all ages to their incredible potential. (See more in our list of the 23 stunning book illustrations.)
