Authors to Look Out for
Eric Carle
Why he’s great: Probably known best for his colorful illustrations, he’s a great writer with
simple story lines, usually involving animals (which most kids love). Carle’s books appeal
to babies and preschoolers alike — both my kids enjoy his stuff. His books usually have a
unique set up, such as holes in the pages or smaller pages leading to bigger ones.
Some of his best: The Very Hungry Caterpillar, The Very Quiet Cricket, The Grouchy
Ladybug
Kevin Henkes
Why he’s great: He’s one of the better modern-day authors, with lovable characters who
go through many of the same day-to-day situations as our children.
Some of his best: Owen, Jessica, and Wemberly Worried
Steven Kellogg
Why he’s great: His over-the-top plots and delightful illustrations are a joy to read out
loud, and they interest a wide age range of kids (and adults).
Some of his best: The Mysterious Tadpole, Pecos Bill, The Day Jimmy’s Boa Ate the
Wash
Ruth Krauss
Why she’s great: Her stories are simple but charming. They’re to the point, and the
vocabulary is outstanding. Great word choice. Many of her books are illustrated by greats
like Maurice Sendak (Where the Wild Things Are) and Crocket Johnson (Harold and the
Purple Crayon).
Some of his best: A Hole Is to Dig, I’ll Be You and You Be Me, The Carrot Seed
Arnold Lobel
Why he’s great: He creates hilarious characters who interact in clever dialogue. His
illustrations are beautiful, too.
Some of his best: All the Frog and Toad books, Owl at Home, Mouse Soup, Fables
Robert McCloskey
Why he’s great: His illustrations are quality of the vintage sort, with sweet faces and
detailed scenery. He doesn’t talk down to children, and his story lines are simple but
engaging.
Some of his best: Blueberries for Sal (quite possibly my all-time favorite early children’s
book), Lentil, Make Way for Ducklings, One Morning in Maine
Beatrix Potter
Why she’s great: She remains the best-selling children’s author of all time. Beatrix
Potter’s books are chock full of great vocabulary, and her narrative style is heart-warming
and funny. Great characters, too. And beautiful illustrations.
Some of her best: The Tale of Peter Rabbit, The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck, The Tale
of Benjamin Bunny
Margret and H.A. Rey
Why they’re great: As a married couple with a fascinating story of adventure in their own
life, the Reys created one of the most well-loved characters in children’s literature.
They’ve created other wonderful characters as well, and a simple voice and universallyappealing plots make most of their works a classic.
Some of their best: All seven of the original Curious George books (many were written
later with the same character, but they weren’t penned by the original authors — and
they’re not as good), Katy No-Pocket, Billy’s Picture, Whiteblack the Penguin Sees the
World
E.B. White
Why he’s great: He writes wonderful characters, and he has great word choice. His
verbosity is descriptive, and his style softens your heart towards the meanest of his
characters.
Some of his best: Charlotte’s Web, Stuart Little, The Trumpet of the Swan
Margaret Wise Brown
Why she’s great: You’re not allowed to have a list of great children’s book authors and
not include her. More for the very young crowd, Margaret Wise Brown’s words
rhythmically lead the reader on a comforting journey without dumbing down from poor
word choice. A classic.
Some of her best: Goodnight Moon, The Runaway Bunny, Seven Little Postmen, Big Red
Barn
Shel Silverstein:
Shel is known to have developed his own style of laid back and sometimes controversial
patterns. He sometimes uses profanity and slang in his works. He obviously did not start
out writing children's stories and poetry. He once said in an interview with Publishers
Weekly in 1975 "I would hope people, no matter what age would find something within
books, pick up one and experience personal sense of discovery." Shel Silverstein wanted
children to discover themselves and not conform.
Lewis Carroll:
Lewis Carroll is most known for his stories Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking
Glass. He is also known for his poem "Jabberwocky." Carroll's writing includes literary
non-sense, word plays, and fantasy based themes. Some scholars say Carroll has changed
the face of children's literature while others feel his writing is inappropriate for children,
and that his writing makes no sense. While there is controversy around Lewis Carroll as a
writer and his personal life, his stories are still holding audiences captive and shaping the
imagination of children everywhere.
Robert Lewis Stevens:
It has been said many times that many of Robert Lewis Stevens' writings mirror his own
personal life, his own fantasies. His stories focus on themes that appeal to children and
their imaginations such as fantasy, adventure with a little good verses evil in them. Some
of his most famous works include Treasure Island, and Dr Jekyll; Mr. Hyde. Stevens also
has some poetry, but a small amount but his appeal to children lies in his stories. He seems
to be able to tell a story that captivates children from generation to generation
Oliver Wendell Holmes:
Oliver Wendell Holmes is one of the "Fire Side" poets. He is placed with poets like Ralph
Waldo Emerson and Henry Longfellow. His poetry appeals most to children because of its
family friendly content, the comic wording and images he portrays. When you read
something by Holmes you read about the benefits of being loyal and trustworthy as well as
the sentiment he holds and passion for his writing and topics.
Rudyard Kipling:
Who hasn't read or seen The Jungle Book? Rudyard Kipling is most known for his
characters from the Jungle Book, to where other stories have been spurred from them
including Baloo from a cartoon "Tale Spin" Kipling does have some poetry, but found his
popularity within his short stories. Some people say that Kipling is a wizard at the English
language and rhetoric. He is also said to have been an innovator in the art of short story. He
is versatile in his writing, themes, and narratives. Kipling has made children's imaginations
grew from the first story they read.
Siobhán Parkinson:
Siobhan is an Irish poet who writes not only for children but also for adults. Her books
have been translated in several different languages. She is known to be Ireland's best
known children's author. Siobhan's books include Kathleen: The Celtic Knot; which is a
part of the American Girl series. Some say her books are more written for younger
audiences (younger than 11), but there are those who say 10 year olds may not understand
the mature content.
A.A Milne:
A.A is probably most known for the Winnie The Pooh stories. He created characters from a
honey loving bear to a tail bouncing tiger that children of all ages love. Many of Milne's
other work include humor and whimsy much like Winnie the Pooh. Children have loved
Winnie the Pooh for years and will continue to love him for years to come. Though Winnie
The Pooh and House at Pooh Corner are only two out of four stories that A.A. Milne has
written. There is also Now We Are Six, and Damsel in Distress.
Dr. Seuss:
Who hasn't read Dr. Seuss in their childhood, I still read Dr. Seuss from time to time. Dr.
Seuss has a story for everyone no matter what a child's taste is. There are stories for
counting, for letters, fantasy, acceptance, humor and so much more. Dr. Seuss will always
be an author children will come to love and adore well into their adulthood. Many of his
stories have been made into movies and cartoons, Jim Carrey did an excellent job
portraying Dr. Seuss villain the Grinch.
James Gurney:
James is most known for his "Dino-topia" series, which is a series about dinosaurs and
humans cohabitating. His inspiration came from archeological research he did in the past.
His stories while there are fiction attributes to them, can help get kids interested in other
cultures from his research references. He has stated "Ever since my parents first set me in a
sandbox, it has been my dream to create a world." While he created a world for children to
enjoy, he could also inspire children to create their own worlds.Dr. Seuss is a house hold
name now a days.
Anastasia Suen:
Anastasia's stories discuss things that children deal with such as bullies, cutting in line and
baby siblings. Her books aren't fiction like the other authors on this list. But her stories
appeal to children and gain their attention while teaching them something. She finds family
to be the inspiration for many of her works. She has books known as "level" books which
means there are steps in the level, some simpler to read and others harder as the child gets
better at reading.
SOME OLD FAVOURITES
HAVE YOU READ THESE BOOKS?
Roald Dahl
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
4.04 avg rating
Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator
3.56 avg rating
The BFG
4.16 avg rating
Matilda
4.21 avg rating
The Witches
4.10 avg rating
Roald Dahl Treasury
4.42 avg rating
The Borrowers (The Borrowers, #1)
3.98 avg rating
Bedknob And Broomstick
3.91 avg rating
Are All the Giants Dead?
4.04 avg rating
Raggedy Ann Stories (Illustrated Edition)
4.04 avg rating
Raggedy Andy Stories
Raggedy Ann and Andy and the Camel With
the Wrinkled Knees
3.92 avg rating
4.18 avg rating
Raggedy Ann in Cookie Land
The Magical Land of Noom
4.16 avg rating
4.25 avg rating
Jim Kjelgaard
Irish Red
4.04 avg rating
Walt Morey
Scrub Dog of Alaska
4.17 avg rating
P.L. Travers
Mary Poppins
4.06 avg rating
Julia L. Sauer
The Light at Tern Rock
3.64 avg rating
Astrid Lindgren
Pippi Longstocking
4.07 avg rating
The Adventures of Pippi Longstocking (Pippi
Longstocking, #1-3)
4.14 avg rating
The Story of Doctor Dolittle
3.93 avg rating
The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle
3.94 avg rating
Mary Norton
Johnny Gruelle
Hugh Lofting
Judy Blume
Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret
3.86 avg rating
Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing (Fudge, #1)
4.01 avg rating
Superfudge (Fudge, #2)
3.85 avg rating
The World of Pooh: The Complete Winniethe-Pooh and The House at Pooh Corner
4.44 avg rating
The Complete Tales and Poems of Winniethe-Pooh
4.49 avg rating
Freddy Goes to Florida
4.05 avg rating
Freddy Goes to the North Pole
4.03 avg rating
Freddy the Detective
4.13 avg rating
The Crab With the Golden Claws
3.92 avg rating
The Secret of the Unicorn
4.16 avg rating
Red Rackham's Treasure (Tintin, #12)
4.15 avg rating
P.L. Travers
Mary Poppins: Three Enchanting Classics:
Mary Poppins, Mary Poppins Comes Back,
and Mary Poppins Opens the Door
4.33 avg rating
J.R.R. Tolkien
The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings
4.55 avg rating
T.H. White
The Once and Future King (Books 1-4)
4.02 avg rating
The Book of Merlyn (The Once and Future
King, #5)
3.87 avg rating
Mistress Masham's Repose
3.95 avg rating
The Elephant and the Kangaroo
3.00 avg rating
The Master
3.19 avg rating
The maharajah and other stories
3.47 avg rating
Five on a Treasure Island
3.91 avg rating
A.A. Milne
Walter R. Brooks
Hergé
Enid Blyton
The Faraway Tree Stories
4.22 avg rating
Adventures of the Wishing Chair (Classics
Series)
4.09 avg rating
The Island of Adventure (Adventure, #1)
4.00 avg rating
C.S. Lewis
The Chronicles of Narnia
4.23 avg rating
Edward Eager
Edward Eager's Tales of Magic [Boxed Set]
4.51 avg rating
Philippa Pearce
Minnow on the Say (Puffin Books)
4.23 avg rating
Tom's Midnight Garden
4.00 avg rating
The Phantom Tollbooth
by
The Dot and the Line: A Romance in Lower
Mathematics
4.20 avg rating
Madeleine
L'Engle
The Wrinkle in Time Quintet - Digest Size
Boxed Set
4.33 avg rating
Michael Ende
The Neverending Story
4.11 avg rating
Momo
4.23 avg rating
Ophelia's Shadow Theatre
4.16 avg rating
The Night of Wishes
3.99 avg rating
Ian Fleming
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
3.83 avg rating
Peter S. Beagle
The Last Unicorn
4.17 avg rating
Natalie Babbitt
Tuck Everlasting
by
The Princess Bride
3.79 avg rating
Bridge to Terabithia
3.89 avg rating
Redwall (Redwall, #1)
4.00 avg rating
Norton Juster
William
Goldman
Katherine
Paterson
Brian Jacques
4.37 avg rating
4.22 avg rating