#989 of 1001 · April 16, 2023

As I look back on the fairy tale books I have featured on this account, I am delighted to see stories filled with mystery, enchantment, and wonder. What is it about folklore that captivates us? We may never have a complete answer to that question, but @neilhimself and Charles Vess give us a glimpse with their lively collaboration Instructions. An anthropomorphic catlike creature travels from the realms of the everyday and the ordinary into a mysterious otherworld where anything can happen. Along the way, it encounters stock characters and scenarios drawn from common folktale motifs such as “the twelve month brothers” and “the flight on the animal’s back”. These elements are woven into a universal adventure, representing exploration, bravery, and growth. Gaiman’s alluring text, originally published as a poem, speaks directly to the reader, beckoning us to cross the boundary between the known and the unknown. Vess contributes elegant, flowing illustrations with rich, saturated colors. #journey #quest #adventure #mystery #wonder #magic #book #books #childrensbooks #beautifulbook #beautifulbooks #beautifulbookcovers #picturebook #picturebooks #picturebookillustration #picturebookart #childrensbookillustration #childrensliterature #illustration #kidlit #kidsbooks #bookworm #booklover #booklovers #bibliophile #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookstagrammers #instabook #instabooks