Sharing Our Favorites: Children’s Book Illustrators

Our Children’s Book Club, which met on Zoom on March 9, was moderated by Monica Moran and attendees shared both new and old illustrators. Many of us treasure Eric Carle, Maurice Sendak, Tomie dePaola, and it was great to hear about some current illustrators.

Here are some of our favorites:

• Dan Zantat wrote and illustrated The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend opens in a new tab, which was a Caldecott Award winner. This could be a favorite for any child who has/had an imaginary friend.
• Big opens in a new tab was written and illustrated by Vashti Harrison. The illustrations depicting body image are powerful. This book received a Coretta Scott King Award.
• Michael Hague illustrated The Teddy Bears’ Picnic opens in a new tab and Jimmy Kennedy wrote it, based on the song about the teddy bears picnicking in the woods. Michael Hague’s detailed and dream-like illustrations have brought to life many children’s stories.
• Another beautifully illustrated Mother Goose opens in a new tab book is done by Gyo Fujikawa. Nina opens in a new tab, a book by Traci Todd and beautifully illustrated by Christian Robinson, is about the singer, Nina Simone.
• Whimsical and curious are the Willy the Wimp stories opens in a new tab by Anthony Brown.
• The Women Who Caught the Babies opens in a new tab is written by Eloise Greenfield. The detailed illustrations are beautifully done by Daniel Minter. It is a wonderful story about African American midwives, honoring the one who caught the author!