[amylilbit]

I've recently discovered Karma Wilson (how it took me this long, I have no idea!) and am enjoying checking out her vast assortment of books from the library week-by-week. I just love her stories from both a story and writer viewpoint. I'm a rhymer by nature so her books speak to my writer voice, if that makes sense. I just love them!

So....who is your favorite picture book author?

[J-Bert Posts: 257 Status: Offline WWW]

I enjoyed BEAR SNORES ON--I'll have to look into more of Karma Wilson's books!

One of my favorites is Linda Ashman. She's another rhymer so you might enjoy her as well. 

[Mike Jung]

Hard to name just one, but the list includes Adam Rex, Liz Garton Scanlon, Tammi Sauer, Deborah Underwood, Kelly DiPucchio, Boni Ashburn, Todd Parr, Peter Brown, Jon Scieszka, and a thousand more.

[pilonsc Posts: 106 Status: Offline Dream Big! WWW]

As a kid I was enthralled by Dr. Seuss. Nowadays I really like Colin McNaughton. His stories are just so imaginative and comedic, I love them.

[KeithM Posts: 55 Status: Offline WWW]

I've really come to love Julia Donaldson--her language is so wonderful and her stories are too, put it together and her picture books are really amazing.

[traceymcox Posts: 213 Status: Offline *~*Dream... Believe... Reach for the stars!*~* WWW]

Hands down EVE BUNTING for me!
She writes across the board, and even goes into the older children's genre too! She has written everything from homeless to racial division to butterfiles to ??? You get the point.
I even wrote her a gushing fan letter in my earlier writing career. TO MY SURPRISE, I got an email from her, thanking me for my letter, wishing me happy holidays, and good luck with my writing.
YEP, I printed it out and have it framed!!!
I've always said that children's writers are some of the bestest people on earth.  :

[Franzilla Posts: 1,000 Status: Offline Gah! WWW]

Julia Donaldson - never read anything of hers I didn't love. Also William Bee. Nicholas Oldland. Polly Dunbar. Boni Ashburn. Giles Andrae. Marie-Louise Gay. So many. Too many!

[Anne Marie Posts: 2,842 Status: Offline VAMPIRINA has arrived on Disney Junior! WWW]

Aside from those I see as obvious choices like Mo Willems or Maurice Sendak or Kevin Henkes?  (And not including friends so I don't leave anyone out.)

Bob Graham.  Holly Keller.  Pat Hutchins. 

[Franzilla Posts: 1,000 Status: Offline Gah! WWW]

Aside from those I see as obvious choices like Mo Willems or Maurice Sendak or Kevin Henkes?  (And not including friends so I don't leave anyone out.)

Bob Graham.  Holly Keller.  Pat Hutchins. 

Maybe this is just coincidence, but were you aware that all your choices are author/illustrators? Many of mine are too. I guess it shows that illustration combined with writing can be especially magical when a person has both skills. Or... it may just indicate that authors often get paired with a variety of different illustrators making it more difficult for us to love all their work? Hmmm. Interesting!

[Ravyn2002]

There's actually several BB's on my list. Tammi Sauer and Pam Calvert to name a few. I also love Lisa Wheeler, Cynthia Rylant, and Jon Sciescka.  Picture Book Authors in general are awesome :

[Anne Marie Posts: 2,842 Status: Offline VAMPIRINA has arrived on Disney Junior! WWW]

Maybe this is just coincidence, but were you aware that all your choices are author/illustrators?

Yup.  But in this case, I'm speaking more of text.

[LindaJoy Posts: 391 Status: Offline Linda Joy Singleton author of SNOW DOG, SAND DOG WWW]

Verla Kay and Danna K. Smith

[amberturner Posts: 142 Status: Offline WWW]

My daughter and I love Laurie Keller's books...Especially how her little tidbits of humor all over the page let you spend more that just ten minutes with the book.

[Sheila Posts: 98 Status: Offline I write and illustrate for children of all ages. WWW]

Good question. I am going to show my age by naming some authors/illustrators from years ago but whose work shouldn't be missed by today's kids.

Leo Lionni: His SWIMMY is a masterpiece of story and illustrations, working their magic together.
Bill Peet: THE WUMP WORLD is one of my favorites from this prolific and talented man.
Ezra Jack Keats: Without his wonderful stories, my children and I would have an empty hole in our lives.
Tasha Tudor: She did so many sweet stories with charming illustations.
Beatrice Potter: The real stories with her original art should be part of kids' lives.

[ecb]

Hard to name just one, but the list includes Adam Rex, Liz Garton Scanlon, Tammi Sauer, Deborah Underwood, Kelly DiPucchio, Boni Ashburn, Todd Parr, Peter Brown, Jon Scieszka, and a thousand more.

Adding to Mike's list, I'm going to say Sandra Boynton (another author/illustrator) and the BB's own Jean Reidy. As a novelist who writes looooong, there's something almost magical about their ability to tell complete stories in so few perfect words.

[Vijaya Posts: 6,511 Status: Offline BEAUTY WWW]

Lots of my favorites are already mentioned, so I'll add Ruth Brown, Rosemary Wells, Lola Schaefer, Nancy Shaw. When we moved, I couldn't part with many PBs because so many memories and emotions are associated with them. My kids and I still read PBs even though they're in middle school.

Vijaya

[Aud]

 I really like the ones that make me laugh: Bob Shea, Mo Willems. Kevin Henkes. I wish I had a girl on that list...

[KDuBayGillis Posts: 281 Status: Offline]

Aud...I'll give you some female PB authors (and illustrators) that make me laugh....

Laurie Keller
Melanie Watt
Doreen Cronin

[Jean Reidy Posts: 724 Status: Offline I love kids' books!! WWW]

Adding to Mike's list, I'm going to say Sandra Boynton (another author/illustrator) and the BB's own Jean Reidy. As a novelist who writes looooong, there's something almost magical about their ability to tell complete stories in so few perfect words.

Elizabeth - Thanks for this sweet shout out. I'm completely honored!
Jean

[Amy S Posts: 192 Status: Offline Adventures in writing WWW]

Peggy Rathman -- my kids are tweens and teens now, but we still quote Gloria and officer Buckle.

[amberturner Posts: 142 Status: Offline WWW]

Oliver Jeffers is another of our very favorites. He's an author/illustrator, and his books are consistently beautiful.

[Larry Posts: 637 Status: Offline 3 Princesses, one grateful Dad!]

Chris VanAllsburg, David Shannon, Cynthia Rylant

[maxi Posts: 71 Status: Offline WWW]

Bob Shea, William Bee, Lauren Child, Janet and Allan Ahlberg (Burglar Bill is a fave here), Anthony Brown...Loads more I can't think of at the mo...

[lab Posts: 56 Status: Offline Savor each second! WWW]

Barbara Berger.....Love her work, especially Grandfather Twilight!

Jane Yolen.....Love her work, too.....especially Owl Moon!

Both authors write so beautifully.

[Helen Posts: 224 Status: Offline WWW]

Audrey Wood....Margaret Wise Brown....Jan Brett

[Tammi Posts: 1,342 Status: Offline WWW]

Thanks for the wonderful shout-outs. It means a lot--especially coming from this crowd. 

[Jennifer D G Posts: 670 Status: Offline I love kids' books!]

I have hundreds of favorites. When my kids were little, I had a tendency to reach for authors like Elsa Beskow, Robert McCloskey, Barbara Helen Berger, Jane Yolen, and anything with illustrations by Salley Mavor. The Hollyhock Wall is our all time favorite picture book. Jama Rattigan's Dumpling Soup is another forever favorite.

But when it comes time to buy for my nieces and nephews, I grab a Tammi Sauer book. She had me with Cowboy Camp and I've loved every book since. My nieces and nephews have too!

[Tammi Posts: 1,342 Status: Offline WWW]

Jennifer, you made my day! Have those nieces and nephews of yours clear some shelf-space. I have five coming out in 2012. Yikes.

Me Want Pet! (March, 2012)
Bawk and Roll (April, 2012)
Princess in Training (October, 2012)
Oh, Nuts! (?, 2012)
The Twelve Days of Christmas in Oklahoma (?, 2012)