Trying to narrow down all of the children's books and authors to a few of my favorites has been difficult for me. There are so many great books out there, how do you only pick a few? So, I tried to narrow my favorite authors down to two, but couldn't so here are four of my favorite children's book authors: (not in any certain order)
Jane Cabrera
Jane grew up outside of London and wanted to be an artist and a detective when got older. Before
writing children books, she studied art in college and worked as a graphic designer in a publishing house.Jane has written and illustrated 51 books.
I like Jane's books for the artwork and the stories. She paints the illustrations in acrylic paint. The colors are bold and inviting. Many of her books, like Old Mother Hubbard, The Wheels on the Bus, Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star, Old MacDonald had a Farm, If Your Happy and You Know It, One Two, Buckle My Shoe, and Ten in the Bed, are traditional nursery rhymes or children's songs updated with a fun new twist. As noted in the section on nursery rhymes, rhyming with young children is especially important for reading development. One of my Jane Cabrera books, and her first to be published, is Cat's Colors. It is a color book. The idea is for us to guess what is the favorite color of the kitten in the book. Of course it is orange, the color of her mother!
Check out her blog. She has a new book coming out soon called Baa, Baa, Black Sheep. I am excited to see it!
Robert Munsch
Robert was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, one of nine children. He started writing poetry in elementary school. he studied for seven years to be a Jesuit priest (Wow, that's interesting!) He has an undergraduate degree in History and a Master's degree in Anthropology. He worked in daycare during and after college. He moved to Canada with his wife and continued working in daycare.
While working with children he would make up stories at circle time. He never wrote them down until his supervisor suggested to do so. The first story he told to children turned out to be the book Mortimer, but that was not his first published, it was Mud Puddle. He now has over 54 books published. His books are based on real children as characters. He finds his inspiration by traveling all over Canada, staying with families along the way. He still visits daycares to tell stories, for free, and he still stays with families while traveling. One of his most read books, Love You Forever, was written as a memorial for two stillborn babies his wife had. If you have not read this book yet, you must. Seriously, I always end up crying when I read it.
Robert is known for his enthusiastic storytelling methods. The characters and the stories are usually outrageous, but realistic at the same time. His books are lengthy but so full of action that children will sit and listen with attention and anticipation. I can't pick just one favorite, but here are a few: I Have to Go!; Kiss Me, I'm Perfect; Mortimer; and Purple, Green, and Yellow.
Denise Fleming
Denise grew up in Toledo, Ohio. When she was young, she and her sister "produced" plays complete with commercials and circus entertainment, and also made fantastic spook houses from refrigerator boxes. When she was in third grade, one of her paintings was chosen to be published on the cover of a teachers' magazine. She illustrates her books using paper. She creates images by pouring colored paper pulp through hand-cut stencils. Her first book in which she used pulp painting was In the Tall, Tall Grass. The story is based on summer afternoons spent with her daughter in the woods and field near their home.
I like Denise's books for their wonderful illustrations. The colors are vibrant, conveying the mood of the words. These books are great for young children to "reread" because they do not have many words. the words are powerful though, conveying action, movement, and sound, and often rhyming. Many years ago, I was at the NAEYC national conference in New York City where Denise Fleming was a featured author. I met her and have a signed copy of Time to Sleep, dedicated to my son. One of my favorites by Denise is Mama Cat has Three Kittens. The repetition of simple phrases and actions throughout this book make it easy for children to make predictions. Another of my favorites is Lunch. It is a simple story without many words about a messy mouse who eats colorful fruits and vegetables, getting the colorful juices all over himself and the pages of the book.
Audrey Wood
Audrey has lived in many varied places, Florida and Mexico when she was younger, and currently California. Her father was an artist and as a child she wanted to follow in his footsteps when she grew up. When she was in fourth grade she decided she wanted to become a children's book author. As an author and illustrator of children's books, she has realized both of her childhood dreams. Many of Audrey's books are illustrated by her husband, Don. the first book they did together was Moonflute. Audrey and Don used their son, Bruce, also a book illustrator, as a model for the boy in the books: Quick as a Cricket; Tickleoctopus; and King Bidgood's in the Bathtub.
I love Audrey's books for their repeated text, great rhythm, and fun storylines. In The Little Mouse, The Red Ripe Strawberry, and The Big Hungry Bear Wood creates wonderful interactions and connections to the reader. The mouse character is actually responding to the reader throughout the book and shares his strawberry in the end with "me". Anticipation is created by imagining a bear coming to steal the strawberry from the mouse. This is such a fun book because it personally involves the reader in the story. Another favorite is The Napping House. The repeated, calming text (cozy bed, snoring granny, dreaming child, dozing dog...) throughout this book forms a sort of soothing rhythm until an unexpected visitor comes and disrupts everyone's peaceful nap.
I also like Dr Suess, Alexandra Day, and Eric Carle.
Meghan
Favorite authors are like candy - bet you can't have just one! I've included two modern favorites, both author/illustrators, but there are so many great authors out there I encourage you to read a variety of children's books and see which one connects with you.
Oliver Jeffers
Oliver Jeffers is known mostly for his artwork, but also has written several books himself. Originally from Belfast, Northern Ireland, he now lives and works in Brooklyn. Much of his artwork has been exhibited in popular cities and museums, including those in Brooklyn, Berlin and London. He has written and illustrated 14 books, and is the illustrator of 8 children's books including The Day the Crayons Quit and The Day the Crayons Came Home. Given the popularity of his books, many have been translated into over 30 languages!
Jeffers illustrations are very distinct and child-friendly, I can't help but sit down and read his book anytime I see his name on the cover or recognize his illustrations. Each time, the story draws me in and I'm hooked not only by the story but by the pictures that are equally as part of the story. I have never been disappointed by an Oliver Jeffers book! Some of my favorites include Once Upon An Alphabet: Short stories for all the letters, The Moose Belongs to Me, Stuck and The Way Back Home.
Kevin Henkes
My love for Kevin Henkes started when I was in first grade and heard Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse for the very first time. My teacher read it to us in school, and I went home and told my mom how amazing this book was. The next time we were at a bookstore, she bought it for me and we read it together all. the. time. As a teacher, I see the books differently now, but I still love each of his stories and the messages behind them. I see my students connect with the stories and characters just as I did, and I think that shows how incredible his work is. Literature is truly timeless!
Born in Racine, Wisconsin, Henkes has been writing and illustrating children's books for 30 years. His interest was primarily in art, but his teachers encouraged him in his writing efforts - gotta love those teachers ;-). His work began to flourish, and he realized writing children's books was the best way to capture his talents and interest of both writing and illustrating. He now lives in Madison, WI with his wife and their two children.
Books of Henkes include Chester's Way, Julius, the Baby of the World, Wemberly Worried, Chrysanthemum, Owen, Olive's Ocean, My Garden, The Year of Billy Miller, and Waiting.
Though he is mostly known for his Mouse books, he has a variety of other children's books as well that I'm sure you and your child will equally grow fond of.
In addition to JoLynn's additional mentions of Dr. Seuss and Eric Carle, I also highly recommend books by Jane Yolen and Kathryn Otoshi
Danielle
Jan Brett
Jan Brett has always been one of my favorite authors. Her vibrant attention to detail illustration captivate the reader. Every book includes illustrated side panels that compel the reader to see what happened on the page before, and to guess whats going to happen next. I would recommend any of Jan Brett's books but The Mitten, The Umbrella, and Town Mouse Country Mouse are among my very favorites!
Having written over 39 million books, Jan Brett is one of the most well known author illustrators of children's books. Jan lives in a seacoast town in Massachusetts, near the town where she grew up. "As a child, Jan Brett decided to be an illustrator and spent many hours reading and drawing. She says, "I remember the special quiet of rainy days when I felt that I could enter the pages of my beautiful picture books. Now I try to recreate that feeling of believing that the imaginary place I'm drawing really exists. The detail in my work helps to convince me, and I hope others as well, that such places might be real."'
Here is Jan Brett's full biography: Jan Brett Biography
Here are some great links on Jan Brett's website:
You can purchase your very own Jan Brett books online here: Get My Jan Brett Book Now!
Now you can watch and listen to one on my favorites by Jan Brett, The Mitten, Enjoy!
Happy Reading :)
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