This is a quote from my absolute favorite children's book author/illustrator:
"I believe that children in this country need a more robust literary diet than they are getting.... It does not hurt them to read about good and evil, love and hate, life and death. Nor do I think they should read only about things that they understand.... a man’s reach should exceed his grasp. So should a child’s. For myself, I will never talk down to—or draw down to—children."
~ Barbara Cooney

I could not have said it any better. She is one of my heros and one I identify with very much. She was also a self taught artist who illustrated from her home where she raised her four children which is what I dream of one day doing also. Two of my favorite books of her's as a child were Miss Rumphius and Roxaboxen.