8 Profound Design Books — From the Children's Section

Looking for some great literature soaked in architectural and design ideas? Below are eight cerebral works of genius that provoke the imagination and free creativity. Sure, you could curl up on the sofa with Venturi's Complexity and Contradiction in Architecture, if you're into that kind of thing. Or, you could visit a bookstore, snag these 8 books and spend an evening smiling with inspiration.

Best of all, you'll find each volume in the children's section.

The Big Orange Splot, by Daniel Manus Pinkwater - $4.08 » "My house is me and I am it. My house is where I like to be and it looks like all my dreams."

This book is a treatise on originality. Let's send a copy to every tract builder and homeowner association's in the nation. Power to the people!


Not a Box, by Antoinette Portis - $7.19 » "'Why are you sitting in a box?'
'Because it's not a box.'"

Remember when you were a child and would open a gift with a toy inside, but somehow found the box to be more fun than the toy? Why? Because the toy was the toy, but the box could be anything!


The Artist Who Painted a Blue Horse, by Eric Carle » "I am an artist and I paint ...
... a blue horse ...
... a red crocodile ..."

The artist's eye sees differently: different patterns, shapes, textures and — as Eric Carle illustrates — colors. That is his or her gift. Shame on my third-grade teacher for chastising me coloring my chocolate ice cream cone black!


Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, by Roald Dahl - $15.95 » "We are the music makers ... and we are the dreamers of dreams."

The architect's manifesto, by Willy Wonka. This book is also a dissertation on good versus bad behavior. But most of all, this story produced a magical film moment.


Frederick, by Leo Lionni - $6.29 » "'Frederick, why don't you work?' they asked.
'I do work,' said Frederick, 'I gather sun rays for the cold dark winter days.'"

Frederick appears to be lazy and useless. But as winter sets in and the food stores deplete, Frederic's family finds that he has a gift with words that gives them hope.


Harold and the Purple Crayon, by Crockett Johnson - $6.29 » "Harold knew that the higher he went, the farther he could see. So he decided to make the hill into a mountain."

There's nothing as precious as a child's imagination. We've discussed this before. For most adults, maturity means the death of childlike imagination. What a pity.


Roberto the Insect Architect, by Nina Laden - $12.78 » "Roberto searched all over the city for the perfect site. He finally found an abandoned, run-down block of crumbing buildings. It was a total mess. There were piles of old wood and garbage everywhere.
It was just what he was looking for."

Roberto feels a desire to exercise his gifts, but not for his own glory; something many of us could stand to learn from.


Ish, by Peter H. Reynolds - $10.89 » "Ramon felt light and energized. Thinking ish-ly allowed his ideas to flow freely.
He began to draw what he felt — loose lines.
Quickly springing out.
Without worry."

The freedom of "ish"! My friend and engineer, Dave, and I have a running joke about his inability to be "ish" and my inability to be exact. Given our professions, it's probably best that he be exact and I remain "ish."

Tell us: What children's books have inspired you and why?

More:
MoMA's First Kids' Storybook Draws on Architects
What Could You Imagine With Lego's New Architecture Kit?

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