Some of the most impactful books out there are children’s books. They’re often our first experiences with narratives and are full of new worlds to explore or things to experience. Especially when we’re younger, they can be great points of connection between us and caregivers, us and teachers, us and our siblings. Looking back, some of the most formative stories I read were as a child, sitting in a classroom with my peers or with my parents before bed. The authors who wrote them will always have a special place of fondness in my heart, no matter how old I get.
From classic authors like A.A. Milne or E.B. White to more recent favorites like Jacqueline Woodson and Grace Lin, there are children’s books out there for everyone. It can make it hard to decide what to pick up and what to leave on the shelf. Maybe turning to the beloved children’s authors we already like can help point us in the right direction. What children’s books do these iconic children’s authors recommend, then? Well, let’s find out! Using interviews, websites, and social media posts, I dug into that very question. So, check out these six books recommended by six famous children’s book authors!
Jacqueline Woodson recommends…
Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor
Jacqueline Woodson’s books are beloved by many and for great reason. She was named the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature by the Library of Congress, was named a MacArthur Fellow in 2020, and has had multiple books, including Brown Girl Dreaming, nominated for Newbery Honors. According to her website, Woodson recommends Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor as one of her favorite books. This middle grade story of Cassie Logan and her family during the Great Depression trying to survive tragedy and racism won a Newbery for a reason! It’s a must-read!
Jeff Kinney recommends…
Three Keys by Kelly Yang
If you’ve read the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series or have seen the movies inspired by his books, you’ll know Jeff Kinney is renowned for his humorous writing. You might not know he also owns a bookstore with his wife! One of Jeff Kinney’s favorite reads of 2020 was Three Keys by Kelly Yang. A sequel to Yang’s Front Desk, Mia Lupe now faces a tough teacher, social embarrassment, and a new immigration law that threatens her family’s stability.
Maggie Tokuda-Hall recommends…
What Are Your Words? by Katherine Locke, Illustrated by Anne Passchier
Maggie Tokuda-Hall has wowed kids and young adults alike with her works The Mermaid, the Witch, and the Sea and the graphic novel Squad, just to name a few. In an interview with Geeks Out, Maggie Tokuda-Hall recommended What Are Your Words? as an introduction to pronouns. This picture book follows Ari as they interact with their neighbors and learn about how fluid they can be.
Judy Blume recommends…
Betsy-Tacy by Maud Hart Lovelace, Illustrated by Lois Lenski
You’d be hard-pressed to find someone who hasn’t heard the name Judy Blume. She is a prolific children’s author and one of the 100 most influential people in the world, according to Time Magazine. Her work portrays the struggles and triumphs of childhood honestly and sympathetically. In an Elle interview full of book recommendations, Judy Blume named Betsy-Tacy as a book she wanted as a child, and what kid wouldn’t? This story of friendship between Betsy and Tacy is as sweet as it is entertaining!
Kwame Alexander recommends…
A Library by Nikki Giovanni, Illustrated by Erin K. Robinson
Newbery Medal and Pat Conroy Legacy Award winning author Kwame Alexander’s lyrical prose can charm anyone, no matter their age! He is also the Founding Director of the Book-in-a-Day program dedicated to spreading literacy to children through writing and publishing workshops. In a list of his favorite recent reads, Kwame Alexander named A Library as one of them. A Library is a love letter to libraries and the magic they hold—perfect for budding book lovers!
Rick Riordan recommends…
The Thief Lord by Cornelia Funke
Known for his iconic Percy Jackson & the Olympians series, Rick Riordan is a big name in children’s literature. On a list of his favorite books, Rick Riordan named The Thief Lord by Cornelia Funke as a great book for 4th to 7th graders. In The Thief Lord, two orphaned brothers run away from their aunt and cross paths with the Thief Lord and the group he leads of kids who turn to robbery to survive.
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