Some artists may influence the WAY that I work. I saw a book by Deborah Nourse Lattimore that was so thoroughly researched that I was inspired to get on a plane and go find authentic imagery for upcoming books. Or looking at Leo and Diane Dillon's work, at the exacting level of professionalism they maintain, it's clear that the beauty they achieve doesn't cut corners. There's even a song that goes with it. I also just finished a HarperCollins book called MY AUNT CAME BACK, which was inspired by a children's song.
Lyrics make for a rhythmic text that is wonderful to read aloud.
About a fourth of the books that I have lined up are by other authors. I enjoy all your multi-generational stories. I was sitting on my mother's porch in Virginia, admiring a sunset with her when I got the idea that an artist was creating it. They are enormously fun books to do. Given the number of illustrators out there whose work I admire, there could be another twenty volumes.