By Dr. D. Jackson Maxwell
H
oliday season is upon us. Kids and parents alike are looking forward to a break from school and spending more time doing what they want. For many children reading fits into their plans — especially on cold days or at bedtime! While every child knows the current hot titles and popular series, there are many children’s classics and award-winning books that are often overlooked.
In today’s world, there are literally thousands of authors and illustrators of children’s books. We all have our favorites, but as a former librarian I can tell you it is impossible to know them all! Therefore, I have put together a short list, along with a brief biography, to introduce these luminaries as potential candidates for winter reading:
Ezra Jack Keats was born to parents of Polish decent in Brooklyn in 1916. He developed a love of painting at an early age and earned a living painting store signs. Later, he worked designing camouflage patterns for the army, and, eventually, he illustrated children’s books. He won the Caldecott Medal for his book The Snowy Day. In all, Keats published over 80 children’s books before he died in 1983.
Jerry Spinelli was born in Norristown, Pennsylvania in 1941. As a child, his ambition was to grow up to be a cowboy. However, after publishing a poem about a football game, he became interested in writing. His book Maniac Magee won the coveted John Newbery Medal for outstanding children literature. Jerry Spinelli’s books depict the adventures that all children experience on their way to achieving adulthood.
Virginia Hamilton was born in Yellow Springs, Ohio in 1936. She wrote fiction and nonfiction stories for children. Some of her best known works are The People Could Fly, The House of Dies Drear, and M. C. Higgins, The Great. Her books are based on real-life stories she heard from her family. She won awards including the Newbery Medal, Coretta Scott King Award, and the Hans Christian Andersen Medal.
Chris Van Allsburg was first a sculptor before embarking on a career as an illustrator. He has been praised for his ability to tell stories through pictures and has won several Caldecott Awards and Honors. Many of his stories have few words such as Tuesday and The Mysteries of Harris Burdick. A number of his books have been turned into movies including Jumanji and The Polar Express, with many more sure to follow.
Jon Scieszka was born in 1954 and earned his Master of Fine Arts degree from Columbia University. Before becoming a full-time writer, he was a 1st and 2nd grader teacher. His first published book was The True Story of the Three Little Pigs that retells the popular fairy tale from the wolf’s perspective. Lane Smith illustrated this book and went on to collaborate with Scieszka on other award winning books such as The Frog Prince Continued, The Stinky Cheese Man, and Math Curse.
Patricia and Fredrick McKissack are a team. Together they have written over 100 books for children, many of them award winners. They published their first book in 1984. Their books primarily focus on the African-American experience and include both nonfiction and fiction titles. They won the Coretta Scott King Award for A Long Hard Journey: The Story of the Pullman Porter and Sojourner Truth: Ain’t I a Woman?
Allen Say was born in Yokohama, Japan and grew up during World War II. While still a child, he sought out noted cartoonist Noro Shinpei who became his mentor. His early years were spent wandering and traveling to the United States with his father. He became a photographer. Say has been recognized for his outstanding artwork and exceptional storytelling. A perennial favorite of his is Grandfather’s Journey.
Dav Pilkey is a self-professed class clown and his works showcase his wit. He was born in Cleveland, Ohio in 1966. He majored in art in and quickly published his first book World War Won. He has written and illustrated dozens of books using a variety of mediums that include paintings, drawings, and photographs. His Captain Underpants books (now a movie!) chronicle a superhero prone to giving wedgies to bad guys.
Lois Lowry knew early on she wanted to be a writer. Like other authors, she bases many of her stories on her own experiences. Additionally, she enjoys photography, and her photographs grace the covers of some of her award-winning books including The Giver and Number the Stars. Lois Lowry was born in Hawaii. However, as a child her father was in the military, and they traveled throughout the world.
Christopher Paul Curtis is a contemporary writer. He has won a Newberry Medal and Coretta Scot King Awards for the first two books he published: The Watson’s Go to Birmingham—1963 and Bud, Not Buddy. His stories often feature fictionalized characters in real historical settings who are living through actual events.
Judy Blume has some incredible statistics. Over 75 million copies of her books are in print in over 20 languages, and she has won nearly 100 awards. In return for her success, Judy Blume supports many charitable organizations including founding The Kids Fund. Some of her best-known works are Blubber, Superfudge, Freckle Juice, and Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.
Hopefully this brief list will provide a few ideas on some fantastic authors and their books you can introduce to your children.
Dr. D. Jackson Maxwell is an educator and freelance writer with over 30 years of experience. Please forward questions or comments to: djacksonmaxwell@gmail.com
