The inspiration behind this title is the Victorian game of describing oneself with images of your favorite things; like a cryptic visual essay, a self-portrait. Forty leading creative
figures—illustrators, writers, musicians, and actors—have been invited to illustrate eight favorite things from a list of 12—their favorite animal, book, clothes, comfort, food, pastime,
place, possession, music, shoes, weather, or their pet aversion. They have been encouraged to use whatever medium they most enjoy to express themselves. Contributors include Quentin
Blake, Raymond Briggs, Posy Simmonds, Glen Baxter, David Adjaye, David Gentleman, Shirley Hughes, Mary Fedden, Sir Paul Smith, Peter Capaldi, Raymond Briggs, Posy Simmonds, Ekow Eshun, Eric
Carle, David Shrigley, and many others. Beyond providing singular insight into some of our foremost innovators, this collection also celebrates the art of illustration as
an eloquent tradition which, as a means of communication, crosses the boundaries of language, culture, and age.
