As an artist, I try to honor the muse that guides me. Over time, I've gotten better at paying attention and following its lead.

November is National Picture Book Month. It's a gentle reminder of the importance of reading printed picture books to the children in our lives. I wish I could tell you what being read to, nestled in my mother's arms, meant to me, but I didn't have that kind of mom.

I hope my shout out to picture books might inspire you to consider these as holiday gifts for the under eight crowd. There are so many great choices. Ask a children's librarian for suggestions. There is plenty of time for chapter books as kids mature and can actually read them in their original form.

It's called Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast, and it's a ripping barnburner full of outlandish action, heroic and dastardly characters, roller coaster rhymes and some absolutely fabulous illustrations by Brendan Kearney.

Back in February, I said that this year may well prove to be a high water mark for picture books. However, there was no guarantee that the year would continue its torrid pace. Apparently, when it rains, it pours because much to my delight, the wave of great books has continued to roll in.