The books we read when we’re small can help form who we grow up to be. Depending on our choice of reading, we can either become inspired or traumatised. Before I even learnt to read I remember bedtime stories being read to me, or when there wasn’t time for that, an audio book was played which would send my sister and myself off to dreamland.

I remember being read the usual stories: The Three Little Pigs, Little Red Riding Hood, The Little Mermaid etc, but the tales I remember the most fondly were those created by Beatrix Potter.

My parents had bought Beatrix Potter: The Complete Tales along with the audio cassette tapes that were played every night when my sister and me were tucked into our beds. I remember the adventures of Peter Rabbit, Tom Kitten, Pig Robinson, and I even imagined I was Mrs. Tittlemouse with a tiny little house that had to be kept squeaky clean.

Beatrix Potter was a huge starting point, as were all illustrated story books. It’s one of the main reasons why I decided to become a Graphic Designer/Illustrator. Many children find the inspiration for their future in story books, which is why writing them and illustrating them can be quite a large responsibility.

As I got older I began to choose books for myself, and I discovered Asterix the Gaul and Roald Dahl. I remember wanting to Be Matilda so I devoured book after book and imagined I had her extraordinary mind power. With Asterix, I fell in love with the drawing style of Goscinny and Uderzo and avidly followed the adventures of this little Gaul and his large friend, Obelix as they bashed Romans about.

There are many many more examples that I can list, but I’m more interested in what books shaped you as a child. Which was your favourite? Which was the first book you remember reading?