*My Personal Favorites
Jan Brett* - Jan has wanted to be an illustrator since she was a child. Her passion for art is evident in her books, as they are filled with gorgeous illustration to support the stories. She has now become one of the most beloved children's authors by educators, children, and parents.
Eric Carle* - Best known for his book The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Eric has written and illustrated over 70 books for young readers including The Tiny Seed, The Very Busy Spider, The Grouchy Ladybug, and A House for Hermit Crab.
Nancy Carlson - Nancy wanted to write children's books since she was a child. The humorous stories she tells are based on her own childhood and watching her own children.
Doreen Cronin - Author of Diary of a Worm, Duck for President and the award winning Click Clack Moo: Cows That Type which was a finalist for the Caldecott Honor.
P.D. Eastmon - Author and illistrator of many easy to read childrens books including Go, Dog. Go! and Are You My Mother? Eastmon worked in the story department of Walt Disney Productions and Warner Bros Cartoons, and wrote for the old cartoon Mr. Mago.
Tomie DePaola* - A beloved children's author and illustrator. He has written over 100 books and illustrated over 200. He has received both the Caldecott Honer for Strega Nona and the Newberry Honor for 26 Fairmount Avenue.
Lois Ehlert* - A Caldecott Honor winner for her book Color Zoo. She uses a collage technique with her artwork.
Kevin Henkes - 2005 Caldecott winner for Kitten's First Full Moon. Kevin was so sure that he wanted to be an illustrator that he went to New York to find a Publisher at the age of 19.
Mary Hoffman - Author of the best selling picture book Amazing Grace and the Stravaganza series.
Alison Lester - Alison grew up on a farm in Aulstralia. Many of her books are based on her life in Aulstralia and her love for animals. Along with her many picture books she has also written a few children's novels.
Leo Lionni* - A four time Caldecott Honor Winner, Leo Lionni has authored such books as A Color of His Own, and Inch by Inch.
Robert Lopshire - Easy to read author and illustrator perfect for beginning readers. Notable titles include Put me in the Zoo and I Want Somebody New.
Bill Martin Jr. - A former teacher and principal, Bill Martin Jr. is the author of some of the most beloved children's books. Examples of his work include Chicka Chicka Boom Boom and Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?
Laura Numeroff* - Author of the If You Give A... Series, Laura is a fantastic author. Children love her books and can't wait to find out what happens on the next page.
Audrey Penn - Before becoming a children's author Audrey was a ballerina for the New York City Ballet and a choreographer for the U.S Figure skating Team in the Pan America Games and the 1976 Olympic Gymnastics Team. As an Author her most well known book is The Kissing Hand, which has lent itself to a series of books based on the Chester character.
Patricia Polacco - Patricia struggled with dyslexia and didn't know how to read until she was 14 and a teacher noticed that she couldn't read. Thank You, Mr. Falker is Patricia's way of retelling the story.
David Shannon - David is the winner of the Caldecott Honor for No David!. He has become a well known name in classrooms across the country.
Nancy Elizabeth Wallace* - A former Child Life Specialist For Yale-New Haven Hospital, Nancy is now a full time children's author/illustrator. Her art work is created by using cut up pieces of paper.
Mo Willems - Author and illustrator of the Pigeon series and the Elephant and Piggie series. He has won the Caldecott Honor Award for three of his books: Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!, Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale, and Knuffle Bunny Too: A Case of Mistaken Identity. In addition to his books Mo has written for Sesame Street and created two of his own television series for kids: The Off-Beats for Nickolodeon's Kablam and Sheep in the Big City for Cartoon Network
Audrey Wood - Author of The Napping House and Elbert's Bad Word. Audrey's Husband Don often takes part in illustrating Audrey's books.
Classic Authors
Don Freeman - Author and Cartoonist best known for his book about a teddy bear named Corduroy.
Maurice Sendak - Author of Where the Wild Things Are. In addition to being an Author Maurice worked on numerous children's television shows, and designed stage sets for operas and ballets.
Dr. Seuss* - No List of Children's Authors is complete without the Mention of the great Dr. Seuss. He has created some of the most beloved and recognizable stories and characters. The Cat and the Hat, Horton Hears a who!, Green Eggs and Ham, and And to Think I Saw It on Mulberry Street are just of few of the memorable books that continue to catch the attention of children across the country. Dr. Seuss made such a huge impact on children¢â¡Ás literature that schools across the country now celebrate Read Across America on March 2nd, the birthday of Dr. Seuss.
Shel Silverstein* - Author of The Giving Tree. Shel has written numerous books of children's poetry and songs. Other titles include Runny Rabbit, A Light in the Attic, and Where the Sidewalk Ends.
Margery Williams - Author of The Velveteen Rabbit. The tale of a stuffed rabbit that long to be real.
Author and Reading Links
American Library Association: Great Web Sites for Kids
Children's Liturature Web Guide Authors and Illustrators on the Web
Reading a-z
Reading is Fundamental
Starfall
