By Carter.

Shakespeare’s enchanting work of love and dreams and friendship is full of rich language. And this one is a sparkler. It comes during a quarrel between two dear friends, Helena and Hermia. Although they are thick as thieves, Helena exclaims this — both a warning and a delightful compliment! Don’t you think this would be a fantastic fit in the room of a fierce little girl? Or in one of  sisters whose loves gets a bit tangled up sometimes? You can find this print in Emily’s shop right here.

P.S. — This series — illustrated quotes from children’s books — is a collaboration between Emily McDowell and myself. You can find the whole series here. We just loved this one so much, we had to use it!

By Carter.

Lewis Carroll’s peculiar tale of nonsense, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, is awfully illogical, but utterly wonderful. When the Mad Hatter declares, “It’s always tea-time!”, it really, truly is. He bickered with Time (over something silly, presumably!) and this party is stuck — forever — on tea-time. Not the worst luck in the world, right?

How I would love to be at a long table, enjoying tea into infinity with you! I’m sure we would never run out of things to talk about. Until then, I’ll just stare lovingly at this print by Emily McDowell, which you can purchase in her shop here.

P.S. — This series — illustrated quotes from children’s books — is a collaboration between Emily McDowell and myself. You can find the whole series here.

By Carter.

Do you remember The Velveteen Rabbit? I hope you had a copy as well loved and worn out as mine. Or maybe you had that one perfect lovey? (Mine was named Sunshine, and still lives in my home!) I think this sentiment at the heart of the story is absolutely beautiful. These words are at once charming and also deeply comforting, right? I love the idea that being loved carves out who we are and lasts forever and ever.

And I have fallen in love with this illustration by Emily McDowell. How sweet is his skinny ear flopping through the letter O? If you adore this one as much as I do, you can purchase it here in her shop.

P.S. — This series — illustrated quotes from children’s books — is a collaboration between Emily McDowell and myself. You can find the whole series here.

By Carter.

This illustrated gift from Emily McDowell swelled up a giant lump in my throat. It’s been a week of sadness in the midst of a season of expectation, and these words ring especially true.

Do you remember this moment in A Christmas Carol? A fragile Tiny Tim exclaims this with gusto and thanks for the smallest of things. That seed of love was planted in the heart of a man, where only coldness and sorrow occupied it before.

Beautiful, right? It’s a plea and a hope for all of us this year.

P.S. — This series — illustrated quotes from children’s books — is a collaboration between Emily McDowell and myself. You can find the whole series here.

By Carter.

Well. Isn’t that the truth?

I adore this sage advice from a rather plucky heroine. Anne sparkles. She burst into my soul once upon a time and settled there, always with a reminder to lift my chin and see things simply. And simply cheery. I think you can trust a girl with freckles and an unwavering belief in kindred spirits, don’t you?

Wouldn’t this print be a perfect addition to any young (or older!) girl’s bedroom? Or that sprawling closet we all dream of? You can find it in Emily’s shop right here. While I am considering what fashionable choices to make today, I’m loving the conversation on this stylish post!

P.S. — This series — illustrated quotes from children’s books — is a collaboration between Emily McDowell and myself. You can find the whole series here.

By Carter.

These heartwrenching (or heartwarming!) words come in the final chapter of J.M. Barrie’s Peter Pan, where the Wendy in the nightgown has grown into the Wendy in the wedding gown. Although she was happy to grow up, she wonders aloud to her daughter Jane if her days of flying and adventuring were real. Sweet Jane insists on knowing Peter’s final words to Wendy, and this is what he said.

Wendy waited. She became a mother, and she waited. She waited, and she wondered. And he did come back for her – Peter, that rapscallion boy.

This print is available in Emily’s shop, perfect for celebrating the most timeless of friendships. Can’t you picture Wendy, staring at that bright moon, waiting for her dear friend? 

P.S. — This series — illustrated quotes from children’s books — is a collaboration between Emily McDowell and myself. You can find the whole series here.

By Carter.

Just before these words are spoken in The Secret Garden, cousin Colin sees the mysterious garden for the first time. And it is spectacular. Blooming. Refreshing. Life-giving. Such a simple sentence, but those three tiny words are powerful and tender, and wrapped in a sigh.

As a reader, I always feel just as startled as he must have – to realize a hefty dose of hope is magically restorative. That afternoon in the garden, the only things that mattered were woodpecker feathers, golden sunshine, and whispered giggles. Such delightful things!

So gorgeous, right? You can find this print from Emily McDowell right here!

P.S. — The talented Emily and I are collaborating on this series. Find a new design each week.

By Carter.

When Louisa May Alcott wrote Little Women, she held dear those fleeting moments between childhood and womanhood. Even now, with no hints of childhood left in me, these words still resonate. What a timeless reminder to be fiercely courageous. Even in the aftermath of a storm.

Do you like the pretty design above? Do you like beautiful words? Well you’re in luck! I’m going to pick my favorite quotes from children’s books, and Emily McDowell is going to design them and make them available as prints. Isn’t that wonderful? You can find the sailing print here.