SOLVED. Children’s Picture Book with intricate scenes of buildings with books in it and lit up window scenes. Read around 2001-2006. [s]

[Dimity]

I’m looking for a children’s picture book that had the most beautiful whimsical intricate illustrations. It was gloomy colouring I recall on these steam punk-esque buildings except for warmly lit up little windows with scenes in them. I believe the cover may have had a keyhole or scene on the front but I’m not 100%. The buildings may have even been made up of tiny books. All I have is a very hazy memory of it but I remember loving it as a child.

[Kris]

Dimity, I moved your request to the "Unsolved" folder because you're looking for one specific book.

Around what year did you read this book? A range of years is fine (e.g., 1990s, 1970s, before 2000).

[Dimity]

Hi Kris, thank you for moving it. I probably read it somewhere between 2001-2006

[Capn]

Perhaps something by Colin Thompson? Like How to Live Forever?

[Orsolya Könyvtáros (formerly Memp)]

This is a long shot, but was it possibly one of the I Spy books by Walter Wick? I seem to remember one of the (highly-detailed, photographic) illustrations being of a view through a keyhole, as well as some pictures of window displays. Many of the scenes were built out of tiny household objects and some were very gloomy/atmospheric.

[Dimity]

That’s the one! How to live forever! Thank you

[Capn]

My pleasure! :)