If you are a parent who loves reading and also enjoys reading to your children or getting them new books, you must have asked around for kids’ books in quite a few places. It is a struggle to find good authors who write exclusively for children and in a way that keeps children hooked to the story. Well, we have made your task easy by compiling a list of 50 children’s authors whose books your kids are going to love!
So let us dive into the list of some must-read children’s authors.
1. Shaila Abdullah
Based in Austin, Texas, Shaila Abdullah is a designer and an author. Critics have called her a “Word Artist,” and her books have been adopted into the courses of several universities in the U.S. She has received numerous awards, including the Golden Quill Award. She has authored five books; My Friend Suhana, Saffron Dreams, Rani in Search of a Rainbow, Beyond the Cayenne Wall, and A Manual for Marco.
2. Tedd Arnold
Tedd Arnold is a New York Times bestselling author of children’s books. He has also illustrated about 100 books for children. A graduate of the University of Florida, Tedd used to work in advertising and graphic designing before becoming a children’s author. His books include Hi! Fly Guy, I Spy Fly Guy, Noodleheads See the Future, and many more.
3. Jen Barton
An award-winning author of children’s books, Jenn Barton lives in California with her family. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and Philosophy from Millersville University and mostly writes fiction books for children. Her books include If Chocolate Were Purple, Fiona Thorn and the Carapacem Spell, Movin’ On Up, What’s Your Story, Amelia Earhart? and What’s Your Story, Harriet Tubman?
4. Nikki Bennet
Nikki Bennet lives in the Pacific Northwest and is a freelance writer, an author, editor, and a world traveler. She writes for young adults and middle school children. Her works include From the Magical Mind of Mindy Munson, 9th Street Ninjas, The Trouble with Dead People, The Island Chronicles trilogy, and others.
5. N.S. Blackman
N.S. Blackman is an author and illustrator for children’s books who resides in London. He writes adventure books for very young children. The Amazing Dinoteks is a series of short storybooks that features antique metallic dinosaur creatures.
6. Gregory Bray
Gregory Bray is a film major who works in the I.T. industry and writes scripts for corporate videos. He lives in Sacramento, CA. He has written three books for children and cites his family as the inspiration behind his work. His books are The Bath of Least Resistance, Meowy Christmas, and The Tail of a Boy Named Harvey.
7. Monique Bucheger
Monique Bucheger loves spending time with her twelve children and three cats. When she isn’t busy attending children’s events and playing with her adorable granddaughter, she’s pondering over her next children’s novel. Her series A Gennie West Adventure involves the tale of two best friends, Ginnie and Tillie, who plan to live together and become sisters.
8. Sherrill S. Cannon
Sherrill S. Cannon is well-known for writing several plays for elementary school children worldwide. She’s been awarded over 80 awards for her unique rhymes and poems. The GTMA Review has titled her as “a modern-day Dr. Seuss.” Her books include The Golden Rule. Santa’s Birthday Gift, A Penny for Your Thoughts, My Little Angel, and Peter and the Whimper-Whineys.
9. Diane Cantrell
Diane Cantrell’s career as an author began as a teacher in Kindergarten. Nowadays, she serves as a Life Coach and offers workshops to teachers, counselors, and parents. She lives in Texas with her husband and pet dogs Sunday and Mr. Lee. Her books are Good-bye, Baby Max and Riley’s Lost Tooth.
10. Cheryl Carpinello
Cheryl Carpinello cleverly draws in readers of various ages by combining history with adventurous fiction. Through her writing, she wishes to be able to engage those who particularly struggle with reading. Her children’s stories combine illustrations and repeating phrases to assist those who lack in learning abilities. Sons of the Sphinx: Ancient Tales and Legends, Young Knights of the Round Table, and Guinevere Trilogy are notable mentions.
11. Mrs. D.
Mrs. D, also known as Olga D’Agostino, is the recipient of the International Readers’ Favorite Awards, Beverly Hills Book Awards, and Mom’s Choice Awards. She immigrated from Ukraine to the U.S. in 1992 and followed her passion for learning. She speaks many languages, enjoys gardening, and teaches practical lessons to children through her books. The Trees Have Hearts What is Good and What is Bad, and The Royal Palm are her award-winning children’s books,
12. Roald Dahl
The late Roald Dahl (1916 – 1990) wrote his first short story in 1942 while serving as an air attaché in the U.S. Air Force. His famous book The BFG is dedicated to the memory of his daughter, Olivia, who passed away from measles at seven. Matilda, James and the Giant Peach, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory are just a few of his widely celebrated works.
13. Julia Donaldson
Julia Donaldson is a top-selling author. Her children’s books have sold over 65 million copies worldwide. Her stories have been translated into more than 75 languages. She loves spending time writing new poems, plays, and coming up with rhymes for songs. Some of her most successful works include Room on the Broom, The Gruffalo, What the Ladybird Heard, and The Dinosaur’s Diary.
14. Leana L. Doray
Leana L. Doray earned a double degree in Arts and Education from the University of Sydney. She discovered her love for educating the youth during her four-year teaching career in Singapore. Her first book Bleagh! A book about values is based on lessons learned from young minds over a period of ten years. It is followed by Bleagh and Bleep! which is followed by Bleagh, Bleep, and Baxter!
15. Julia Dweck
Julia Dweck’s children’s stories combine humor and fiction with education for an ideal storytime. Her works feature leading illustrators and have earned them placement on Amazon’s bestselling list. Some of her well-known books include Blucy: The Blue Cat, Snitch & Sneer, Frostbite, and Crowned.
16. Julie Ann Grasso
With a pediatric nursing background, Julie Ann Grasso has spent several years wrapping children in cotton wool, literally. Her inspiration for writing children’s stories was the courage and merriment showed by her tiny patients. The Franky Dupont Mystery Series and Adventures of Caramel Cardamom are her two children’s series.
17. Lars Guignard
Before choosing his career as an author of children’s stories, Lars Guignard worked as a writer for the television and film industry. His teenage years spent at a boarding school in the Indian Himalayas motivated him to write the Zoe and Zak series. He enjoys skiing, hiking, and dodging bears in the Pacific Northwest mountain ranges in his spare time.
18. Kristi Grimm
Kristi and Dave Grimm work together as writer and illustrator, respectively. Their youngest son Dillion can be seen in all of Kristi’s stories. Being a paraplegic, Kristi has a unique way of looking at the world and of expressing her thoughts through her writing. Her series Mommy, Tell Me a Story includes Mommy, Tell Me a Story about a Car, Mommy, Tell Me a Story about a Plane, and Mommy, Tell Me a Story about What Daddy Does.
19. Jeff Gunhus
Jeff Gunhus spent his childhood in Greece and Saudi Arabia. He got accustomed to a lack of television and found books to be his next best companions. Now a bestselling author of the adult genre, he decided to write his first children’s book Jack Templar Monster Hunter, in an attempt to familiarize his eleven-year-old son with the world of books. His children’s stories include the series Jack Templar and the short story Where Are Your Shoes?
20. Joan Holub
Joan Holub is the N.Y. Times bestselling children’s author. His stories cover a broad range of exciting topics, including poodles, girl-power, mythology, and friendship. The books What Was the First Thanksgiving?, Shampoodle, Athena the Brain, Hermes and the Horse with Wings, and Who Was Babe Ruth? are some of his well-known works.
21. Suzanne Williams
Suzanne Williams is a full-time children’s book writer and a former school librarian. She has written more than 80 children’s books, including several picture books, chapter books, and middle-grade series books. She is also the co-author with Joan Holub of the renowned series Goddess Girls, Heroes in Training, Grimmtastic Girls, Thunder Girls, and Little Goddess Girls.
22. Fiona Ingram
Fiona Ingram was born in South Africa and has worked as a full-time editor and journalist. Her love for ancient history, mystery, and the thrill of adventure drove her to create the adventure series The Chronicles of the Stone.
23. Michele Lecreux
Michele Lecreux is the author of The Boys Book of Adventure and The Girl’s Book of Adventure. The books are filled with excellent ideas for outdoor adventures that will easily keep any kid engaged.
24. Louise Lintvelt
Loise Lintvelt lives in Pretoria, South Africa. She is a chemical engineer by day and a children’s storyteller by night. She also enjoys illustrating her books herself. This has earned her several best-selling titles on Amazon. Her works include The Diary of a Dancing Drama Queen, Goodnight, Sleep Tight: What a Wonderful Flight, Kids Book: Sing-Along Construction Song, and The Monster Who Loved Math.
25. S.W. Lothian
S.W. Lothian opted for children’s literature to write action-packed and adventurous tales that keep his own kids at the edge of the seat. His kids call him ‘Phil Dunphy,’ as he reminds them of the dad from Modern Family. His writings include Time Square: UFO: Time Travel with a Twist, BookElves Anthology, and the Axel Rhodes Adventures.
26. Crystal Marcos
Crystal Marcos was the oldest of five children and had to adapt to be a storyteller from a young age. She lives on the Kitsap Peninsula with her husband and two children. Her stories BELLYACHE: A Delicious Tale, HEADACHE: The Hair-Raising Sequel to BELLYACHE, and Bartholomew Buggins: A Zombie with Different Cravings have earned her the title of an award-winning author.
27. Barbara Ann Mojica
Barbara Ann Mojica is a historian and educator. Using the Little Miss History character, she hopes to educate children about the significance of people and places of the past. Her stories include Little Miss History Travels to INTREPID Sea, Air & Space Museum, Little Miss History Travels to MOUNT RUSHMORE, and Little Miss History Travels to Ford’s Theater.
28. Melissa Perry Moraja
Melissa Perry Moraja is an award-winning author, an entrepreneurial mom, a creative producer, and an illustrator of several children’s books. Her greatest inspiration lies in her children, who encourage her to chase her dreams and make a positive impact. Her children’s literature includes Goodnight Goodnight Goodnight Baby Blue, The Wunderkind Family Series, and Stranger Danger: Play and Stay Safe.
29. Angela Muse
Angela Muse was born to a military family in California and happened to be the “new kid in school” every few years. She compensated for the lack of permanent friends by evolving love for poetry. Her passion for storytelling was only increased when she became a mom. Ten Thankful Turkeys, The Christmas Owl, Suzy Snowflake, and The Pig Princess are just a few of the stories she enjoys reading to her children.
30. Sanjay Nambiar
Sanjay Nambiar grew up in Carson, CA, where he overcame a drug-riddled environment to focus on education. He achieved his degrees in Economics and Neurobiology from the University of California. He hopes to persuade his readers to recognize a different and healthier perspective of life. His work includes the books Maybe: A Little Zen for Little Ones, The Gift of Gifts, and Remember the Stars.
31. Leyland Perree
Leyland Perree is a freelance children’s story writer. He is the author of multiple picture books. His stories have been translated into several languages and shared across the globe. Toads Road Code, The Great Reef Race, Which Witch is Which?, and The Unpleasant Tale of the Man-Eating Christmas Pudding are all written by him.
32. Day Pilkey
Dav Pilkey is an award-winning contemporary author who is also a talented artist and a subtle moralist. His works celebrate the philosophies of generosity, tolerance, and friendship. These include Cat Kid Comic Club, The Dog Man Series, and The Adventures of Captain Underpants.
33. Kristin Pulioff
Kristin Pulioff is a natural-born storyteller. She was raised in Southern California but moved to the Pacific Northwest and graduated with a degree in Forest Management. She is a stay-at-home mother of two and a children’s author. She is the co-author of Diversity Is Coming and Call of the Warrior.
34. Chris Robertson
Chris Robertson is a story artist who has an extensive career in animation and children’s literature. He covers everything from escaping hot lava and dancing alligators to the Statue of Liberty as a toddler. Some of his books include Harry and the Hot Lava, The Tooth that’s on the Loose, Knock Knock, Dino-mite!, and Giraffes Ruin Everything.
35. Diane Mae Robinson
Diane Mae Robinson got her advanced diploma from the Institute of Children Literature. When she is not working on her next book, she teaches watercolor and acrylic art to children and works at a dental office. She has written the series Pen Pieyu Adventures and the short story The Forest Painter.
36. Carole P. Roman
Carole P. Roman is a former teacher who is now a successful businesswoman. She and her husband oversee almost five hundred people at work. She also enjoys reading stories to her grandchildren. Her works include The Big Book of Silly Jokes for Kids, Spies, Code Breakers, and Secret Agents, and Being a Captain is Hard Work.
37. Kathy Sattem Rygg
Kathy Sattem Rygg earned her degree in magazine journalism from Iowa State University. For the past ten years, she has been a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. She lives in Omaha, Nebraska, where she works as an Editor for Edge and Dine Magazines. Her children’s story collection includes Tall Tales with Mr. K and Taller Tales with Mr. K.
38. R.C. Scott
R.C. Scott is a teacher and parent with a B.A. in Psychology. He also considers himself a cartoonist, musician, and adventurer. He hopes to inspire kids to become the most wonderful version of themselves. He has written The Boss of Me, Stan Tall & the Snitch, Jeremy Bugsnerd, and the Sky Elves Series.
39. Giselle Shardlow
Giselle Shardlow is a kids’ yoga instructor who teaches her lessons through her written works. She combines her experiences as a regular yogi, traveler, teacher, and mom to develop the best ways to motivate children for yoga. Her books include Jenny’s Winter Walk, Rachel’s Day in the Garden, Mia’s Mountain Hike, and The Grateful Giraffe.
40. Stanley & Katrina
Stanley is a black Rottweiler/Labrador mix who loves snow, attention, and turkey. Katrina von Cat, the Master of Wisdom and Knowledge is a grey tabby cat who enjoys treats and naps. Felicia is the human girl who shares the hobby of writing with the duo. Stanley & Katrina are the pet authors of The Perpetual Papers of the Pack and The Observation of the Obstreperous Animals.
41. Vacen Taylor
Vacen Taylor is an Australian author and amateur photographer. She enjoys creating fictional worlds and reading them out to her children. She is a fan of superhero comics, and her favorite hero is Spider-Man. Her first children’s series Starchild was recently expanded to four books.
42. Deb Troehler
Deborah Troehler appreciates the world of imagination and art. She believes that a learning experience should be capable of turning ordinary objects like dolls and stuffed animals into delightful creatures of adventure. Daisy Finds a Home, When Violet Was Blue, Sometimes Snow Falls in the Summer and Pickled Pumpkin Pie are children’s stories written by her.
43. Thomas Weck & Peter Weck
Thomas Weck is the award-winning author of children’s books. His son and co-author, Peter Weck, helps him re-tell the stories that he had grown up hearing from his father over the years. His Lima Bear stories depict pictures and introduce loveable characters to help children in everyday situations involving interacting with friends and character-building.
44. Elizabeth Woodrum
Elizabeth Woodrum lives in Ohio, where she spends her time as an elementary school teacher. She first started writing when she had to prepare writing material for her classroom. This grew into a desire to share stories with the general population of kids and adults alike. Her work includes three books from The Maisy Files Series.
45. J.W. Zulauf
J.W. Zulauf describes his teenage life being spent in isolation from any sorts of reading material until he received a copy of The Stand by S.K. by his father, which he finished in one year and which first ignited his love for storytelling. He is currently an author in Evolved Publishing, where he also came up with the series The Balderdash Saga.
46. Ruth Zavitsanos
Ruth Zavitsanos wrote her first story at the age of 12. She was the recipient of multiple writing awards while achieving her degree in Journalism at Marshall University. She is currently a member of PennWriters and Romance Writers of America. Her collection of children’s books include The Villa Dog, The Old Fortress Dog, and The Valley Forge Dog.
47. Zack Zage
Zack Zage earned his degree in Economics in 1978 from Duke University. The children’s book author has previously been an investment banker, real estate developer, and award-winning toy inventor. His book Ambition’s Not an Awful Word is written from the author’s perspective when he was a boy and used to dream all of the things he could be when he grew up.
48. Timothy Young
Timothy Young’s career has revolved around being a graphic designer, animator, illustrator, art director, and a puppet and toy designer. He has 30 years of experience as a professional artist and currently resides on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. His written works include The Angry Little Puffin, I Hate Picture Books!, Do Not Open the Box, and Just One Thing!
49. Jane Yolen
Jane Yolen grew up in New York and received and a master’s degree in education from the University of Massachusetts. She is the author of more than 350 books, a storyteller, and a song composer. She’s received the 1992 Catholic Library Association’s Regina Medal for her children’s literature and the 2009 World Fantasy Award for Life Achievement. Her notable books include Lost Girls, Owl Moons, How do Dinosaurs Eat Cookies, and Commander Toad.
50. Kryssy Yodel
Kryssy Yodel is a parent of two boys and a part-time teacher. She lives in a small village near Bristol, UK. Her youngest son has Atypical Autism (PDA), which is why she decided to give up full-time teaching and spend time at home. She enjoys reading and writing picture books, believing them to be the key to any kid’s imagination. Time for Bed Little Ted is a bedtime book with rhymes and pictures neatly illustrating a bedtime routine.
Conclusion
We hope that this list of children’s authors was helpful and that you have bookmarked quite a few authors’ pages to come back to later! When getting any book for your child, be sure to pick out their favorite genre.