Don't Pigeonhole Me!-Two Decades of the Mo Willems Sketchbook

This remarkable collection offers an unprecedented window into the creative process of one of contemporary illustration's most distinctive voices, gathering two decades of Mo Willems' sketchbook work in a single volume. Readers get to witness the raw, unfiltered evolution of ideas that would eventually become beloved characters and stories, from early doodles to fully realized concepts. The inclusion of all twenty sketchbooks creates a comprehensive archive that tracks artistic development across a significant creative period, making this essential for anyone interested in visual storytelling and character design.

What makes this compilation particularly valuable is the dual perspective provided by Willems' own introduction and Eric Carle's foreword, offering both personal reflection and peer appreciation of the artistic journey. Aspiring artists will find endless inspiration in seeing how rough sketches transform into iconic imagery, while longtime fans gain deeper appreciation for the creative labor behind their favorite books. This isn't just an art book—it's a masterclass in persistence, imagination, and the beautiful messiness of the creative life, capturing the very essence of what makes Willems' work so enduringly compelling.