WE'RE SUPPORTING

The sun always seems to be rising or setting in Chris Sheban’s haunting children’s illustrations. His books — I Met a Dinosaur, Catching the Moon, and Red Fox at McCloskey’s Farm, and The Shoe Tree of Chagrin — are instant classics, on par with Goodnight Moon and Midnight Express. Read more

WE'RE TRAVELLING TO

I was never a big fan of Barbie, but I would travel to Shanghai just to visit this mind-blowing castle for Barbie dolls. Read more

WE'RE WEARING

Tarot cards, folk music, Charles Manson, ballet, freaks and geeks, and Patty Hearst can all take responsibility for being some of the inspiration’s behind the Australian fashion label, Lover. It’s all too clever and witty to ignore. Each collection adheres to a specific narrative and a central character. Read more

WE'RE THINKING

Will Cotton would have to be about the most appropriately named artist around. On this cold, windswept New York evening, I just want to crawl inside one of his saccharine sweet compositions and nibble on one of the clouds. Read more

WE'RE READING

Vintage Kids Books My Kid Loves is a great resource for people looking for gift ideas or simply for those who dig the artwork in out-of-print and esoteric children’s books from years past. The author provides reviews from the perspective of a parent, not merely a hobbyist.

You heard it here first. Singer-songwriter Julian Perretta might just become the most exciting new artist of 2008. Read more

WE'RE LISTENING TO

Beijing-based band Hanggai write original songs in the traditional folk styles of their Mongolian ancestors — throat-singing, horsehair fiddles, lutes — spearheading an Asian version of the old-time revival. Though it’s only through the digital age that the rest of the world can access this beautiful music, it makes you want to slow down and reflect on what we’ve lost as a species. This stuff makes every flavor of the month indie band seem vapid and meaningless.