The Little Prince (1943) by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry has always been a favorite book of mine. Even before I even read it (I can't remember if this was due to being too young, or too lazy), the illustrations really captured my imagination.

I just had the pleasure of watching the new animated film, based on the book, on Netflix. It's a beautiful film. And while I didn't enjoy the third act, which is new material, its a faithful, adaptation, that honors the spirit of the book.

One of the themes of The Little Prince is, it is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye. While I agree with this sentiment, the film version proves that there are some things worth seeing with both your heart and your eyes.

Where the Wild Things Are, by Maurice Sendak (1963), has always been my favorite picture book. I say this realizing that it is a bit of a cliché. But it is the first book I can remember that I truly loved and would re-visit throughout my life. In kindergarten, we were allowed at some point during the day to pick a book from the small, one bookcase library, to sit and read. Every day I chose the same one, unless someone beat me to it. But I don't recall that happening at all.

The illustrations are so beautiful and while I didn't I related to Max being punished, I don't recall that happening much either. I did and still do relate to the imagination he displays. It can take you from somewhere mundane, to someplace wild.