It seems like anyone can call themselves a children’s book author these days as the comedian and The Tonight Show host Jimmy Fallon has a publishing deal for his second book. Although his first book, titled Your Baby’s First Words Will Be DADA, received better reviews than most people expected, there are a handful of storybook writers that don’t receive nearly half as much media attention as they deserve.
There are quite a few notables in the world of children’s literature, but we’ve decided to put the spotlight on lesser-known authors with works that the entire family can enjoy.
Tomie dePaola
(image credit: kidlit411.com)
After picking up a pencil and discovering what he could create with it, Tomie dePaola realized his life’s calling. Studying at the Pratt Institute in New York and the California College of Arts & Crafts in California, his career led to designing stage sets and greeting cards before finally illustrating his first book, Sound. Since then, he has gone on to write and illustrate over 200 books, including award winners like Giorgio’s Village and What the Mailman Brought. dePaola’s accolades throughout his 30 years as a published author make him one of the most prestigious children’s book writers and illustrators to date.
Lois Lowry
(image credit: onpoint.wbur.org)
Unlike dePaola, Lois Lowry never knew that she would pursue a career in children’s literacy until she was approached by the world renowned publisher Houghton Mifflin. Her work in photography and journalism intrigued the literary powerhouse and eventually published her first book A Summer to Die. Lowry has a collection of children’s and young adult fiction that take on a rather serious tone to explore themes different from what kids may be used to, like Number the Stars which references the Holocaust. But she also shows her funny, light-hearted side from time to time, with humorous series like Anastasia Krupnik.
Chris Riddell
Accepting the title of Children’s Laureate just last June, Chris Riddell has had an amazing career that inspired families and urged children to embrace their creativity through his artwork. As Tootsa MacGinty iterates, Riddell has been delighting us with his work since the 1980s, earning him a number of awards, such as The Nestlé Children’s Book Prize for his literary and illustrative work in the Ottoline and the Yellow Cat as well as The Emperor of Absurdia. The titles of his books are imaginative and unconventional, often with a fantastical twist to bring out a sense of adventure and inspire children to become great readers and thinkers.
Exclusively written for Red Apple Reading
By Reader-Dreamer
