Top Ten Lists
honoring the best in children's literature
What makes an exceptional, extraordinary children's book? The perfect marriage of art and story that transcends age and demonstrates respect and care for the craft and audience. When we read a wonderful children's book, we are as entertained and enthralled as our child. We are treated to lovely memories, engaged in new adventures or inspired to explore more possibilities with our families. A piece of fantastic children's literature is unmistakable in the way it makes us feel and the joy it gives our children.
My passion and respect for childrens' authors and illustrators is tremendous. I pour over each book my daughter and I read cover-to-cover, inspecting both front and back jackets, inside flaps - every square inch of information and image I can savor. Over time I have collected names of authors, illustrators and teams of both that I really love and find exceptional in their fields. The one quality that all of these people share is that their work is true art - agless, without bounds, heart inspiring and soul arresting.
Through humor, beauty, poignancy, and brilliant story-telling, the artist and writers listed here have the ability to reach you with their originality and skill. Some listed below you may recognize, while others may be new - even better! Have fun exploring the worlds these magicians have laid before us.
Each September I plan to add a new category of extraordinary children's books. I hope you'll enjoy these phenemonal literary and creative geniuses as much as I have. Happy reading!
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Beauty can be an intangible quality, sensed but difficult to explain. A feeling, an image, an arresting moment in time, beauty offers the receiver movement beyond him/herself into the wide-open, universal heart and mind. During the past year, Roan and I have shared these beautiful books that are gifts, truly precious treasures.
Writing an exceptional children's book requires an instinctual knowing about the innate genius of children and their ability to understand complex ideas, witty humor and deep feelings. A well-written piece of children's literature entertains and engages and most importantly, tells an interesting, unique story. Below please find authors whose work is brilliantly supported by various illustrators because their stories stand strong alone.
Childrens' illustrators offer whole new worlds of imagination and wonder for their audience. A beautifully illustrated book becomes a family treasure handed down for generations that reminds and delights while connecting children to ancestral memories. Phenomenal illustrations can tell a story without words so their natural brilliance imbues a tale with mood, action and feeling. Children's illustrators are artists of the highest caliber using their remarkable talents to enchant children eveyrwhere.
Amazingly talented and uniquely visioned, artists possessing both writing and illustration skills are master craftspeople unparalleled in their ability to convey story. Intimately knowing every nuance of their character and plot, the author-illustrator portrays a singlular vision breaming with meaning and intention. Beautiful, poignant, funny, rich and personal, author-illustrators bravely share a part of themselves so that we may know ourselves more deeply.
There is perhaps no greater literary miracle and joy for a readership than a perfectly matched author and illustrator pair. Words and intent seemlessly in sync through range of image and character, an author-illustrator team offers books that are lovingly and completely enjoyed as the comfortable familiarity of a good friend. Often told in story series, author-illustrator teams create clever, enthralling stories that are loyally awaited and cherished.
Having loved and read so many children's books there are a few in particular that I think - as a person and parent - are phenomenal. These books reach me through a variety of emotions, captivating illustrations and perfect stories. They offer life-giving messages that are pure soul.
Everyone has a favorite, beloved children's story that becomes a part of who we are. Some moment of the book struck a chord with our wants, desires, fears and dreams so that we felt understood, enlightened, stronger, bigger, better in some new way. Maybe we laughed and laughed or maybe we had the moment of "Ah haaa!!!!! I CAN READ!!!" Perhaps it was the way the story salved a wound or helped us cope during a difficult time of change. Maybe the way our parents smiled or cried as they held us while they read the words stayed with us. For whatever reason, there is a book that becomes part of our children's lives forever. Here are ten that have become favorites of our daughter:
Feels like there should be a drum roll here... Specific authors, illustrators and stories come to mind immediately when I think of fantastic children's literature. Here are my picks for the best-of-the-best:
Author: Patricia Polacco (who happens to be an exceptional illustrator as well)
Ms. Polacco always impresses me with her ability to tell a story to young children in a manner that reaches their hearts, souls and minds while also entertaining and engaging them. Polacco opens her home and family to her readers, sharing joyous and touching memories of her childhood that celebrate the love of family and friends, as well as the human family. Ms. Polacco's illustrations are breathtaking and her talent is boundless.
Illustrator: Eric Carle
Distinct, sweet and beautiful, Eric Carle's books are unparalleled in their colorful, tender images and simple yet interesting stories for little ones. Carle's instructive yet playful books teach children about animals, people, mythical creatures and all sorts of wonders. Eric Carle's kindness and deep regard for childhood are imprinted on every page. His books will remain potent learning and growing tools forever.
Children's Picture Book: Skippyjon Jones by Judy Schachner
Oh my goodness, what fun!!!! Judy Schachner has written and illustrated the most clever children's book I have ever read! Hilarious, smart, clever and absolutely original, Skippyjon Jones is a Siamese Cat who lives out his fantasy of being a Chihuahua superhero inventing mishap adventures that are as fun for the reader to read aloud as they are for the listener to hear. Using language as a brilliant, engaging device to enhance the colorful mood and tone of her story, Schachner's perfectly matched text and images offer page-turning interest that bears wishes for a never-ending story. You will definitely be reading Skippyjon Jones again and again and enjoying it! - finding something new to explore each time.
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Children want the same things we want:
to laugh, to be challenged, to be entertained and delighted.
- Theodor Geisel, our beloved Dr. Seuss
