What Makes a Story Feel Timeless (To Me)
Why I Love a Timeless Book
I can’t say I was an avid reader as a child — not in the traditional sense. But I was absolutely obsessed with flicking through beautifully illustrated books. I was that kid sitting cross-legged in the book aisle of the supermarket while my mum did the food shop.
Growing up in the '90s, I was also hugely influenced by the artwork in Disney movies — especially the older ones. The drawings were magical to me. Even as a teenager and young adult, I couldn’t resist collecting beautifully illustrated children’s books. I once bought the most dreamy advent calendar, fully illustrated and entirely in French, years before I had kids… and I still have it now. Honestly, it was more for me than for them. My kids were never that interested in it, but I treasure it to this day.
Anywhoo…
To me, a story becomes timeless because it’s cherished. Often, it starts with childhood, it brings back nostalgia, happy memories, or a warm feeling you can’t quite name. But it also offers a window into a different world… a different time.
That’s something I’m drawn to again and again. Many of the stories I love feel traditional, unhurried, and untouched by the fast, noisy world we live in now. I definitely don’t want to see smartphones in a picture book. I want a world that makes your eyes twinkle.
Take Peter Pan, for example. Reading it or even watching it, I was just as enchanted by the Darling family’s cosy London home as I was by the Lost Boys’ den. The whole world felt rich and fascinating. But can you imagine how magical it must have felt for Victorian children, at a time when there were so few books written just for them? That story must have felt like real, tangible magic.
Another favorite of mine is Anne of Green Gables. I remember being completely captivated by the language — the way it described nature, homes, and feelings with such beauty and grace. I read it as much for the words as for the story.
And then there's The Little Prince. That one hit me differently. It’s probably the first book I remember crying over. It was emotional, intimate, and deeply human in a quiet, gentle way. That’s a huge part of what makes a story feel timeless, I think:
A sense of wonder.
A story that makes your eyes light up.
Something that gently lifts you out of everyday life — but also grounds you and touches your heart.
But more than that, a timeless story should feel honest. It can be messy or imperfect — even a little chaotic — as long as it’s heartfelt and warm. Sometimes, it’s the imperfections that make you feel most at home in the story.
I remember reading Tom-Tom and Nana as a child — those silly, mischievous little cartoon siblings who lived a messy, chaotic life full of laughter and everyday family madness. The drawings weren’t polished, but the stories were so funny and so relatable. You felt like you could step right into their world and join the fun. I could never draw like that now, but I can’t deny how much joy those books brought us as kids.
In the end, I think a book becomes timeless because it’s been loved — really loved. Held onto. Passed down. Treasured.
And those are the kinds of books I want to help create.
