--- description: Page-turners that children are sure to love title: 8 Iconic Children’s Book Authors Reveal Their Favorite Picture Books image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltde093bcdab65f2d0/6988d9b9bc6cfc69913e2a3c/time-logo.jpg?branch=production --- * [Living](/tag/time-section-living/) ## Living Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close # 8 Iconic Children’s Book Authors Reveal Their Favorite Picture Books by [Andra Chantim / Real Simple](/author/real-simple/) ## Andra Chantim / Real Simple Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close Jun 24, 2015 3:00 PM CUT by [Andra Chantim / Real Simple](/author/real-simple/) ## Andra Chantim / Real Simple Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close Jun 24, 2015 3:00 PM CUT ### _Hug Machine_ by Scott Campbell  Atheneum Books for Young Readers “At a time in picture book publishing when so many illustrators seem to be mimicking television, or digital animation, and lacking individuality, it is refreshing to see art that is so personal and fresh. Mr. Campbell’s enormous talent is bursting off each page. I really want to HUG him.” Recommended by Tomie dePaola, author of _Strega Nona_ and _26 Fairmont Avenue. The Magical World of_ _S_ _trega Nona: A Treasury_ ($35, [amazon.com](http://www.amazon.com/The-Magical-World-Strega-Nona/dp/0399173455/ref=as%5Fat?tag=REASIM03-20&linkCode=as2& "undefined")) comes out in October. **To buy:** $17, [amazon.com](http://www.amazon.com/Hug-Machine-Scott-Campbell/dp/1442459352/ref=as%5Fat?tag=REASIM03-20&linkCode=as2& "undefined"). ### _My Bus_ by Byron Barton  Greenwillow Books “With few, carefully chosen words and simple, brightly colored illustrations, _My Bus_ is a gem of a picture book. It has everything a preschooler could want—dogs, cats, a boat, a train, a plane, and of course, a bus. The ending is a joyous, perfect surprise, but perfection is no surprise from Bryon Barton.” Recommended by Kevin Henkes, author of _Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse_ and _Kitten’s First Full Moon._ His next book _Waiting_ ($18, [amazon.com](http://www.amazon.com/Waiting-Kevin-Henkes/dp/0062368435/ref=as%5Fat?tag=REASIM03-20&linkCode=as2& "undefined")) comes out in September. **To buy:** $17, [amazon.com](http://www.amazon.com/My-Bus-Byron-Barton/dp/0062287362/ref=as%5Fat?tag=REASIM03-20&linkCode=as2& "undefined"). ### _A Splash of Red: The Life and Art of Horace Pippin_ by Jen Bryant  Knopf Books for Young Readers “Not enough children’s books address the subject of creativity as this book celebrates the power of our imagination. Melissa Sweet’s energetic and clever illustrations invite a child to explore the rich details of each page. Sadly, as the arts disappear from our nation’s schools, books like this are a valuable way to show children that creativity is all about connecting things.” Recommended by Marc Brown, author of the _Arthur_ book series. He is the illustrator of _The Little Shop of Monsters_ ($17,[amazon.com](http://www.amazon.com/Little-Shop-Monsters-R-L-Stine/dp/0316369837/ref=as%5Fat?tag=REASIM03-20&linkCode=as2& "undefined")), which comes out in August. **To buy:** $18, [amazon.com](http://www.amazon.com/Splash-Red-Outstanding-Nonfiction-Children/dp/0375867120/ref=as%5Fat?tag=REASIM03-20&linkCode=as2& "undefined"). ### _When You Are Happy_ by Eileen Spinelli  Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers “This may seem like nepotism, but my wife’s picture book is my favorite. It gets my vote as ‘World’s Most Beautiful Book’ as it scores top marks in three categories: text, illustration, and message. Rarely has so much humanity been packed into so few pages.” Recommended by Jerry Spinelli, author of _Maniac Magee, Wringer,_ and most recently, the picture book _Mama Seeton’s Whistle_ ($17, [amazon.com](http://www.amazon.com/Mama-Seetons-Whistle-Jerry-Spinelli/dp/0316122173/ref=as%5Fat?tag=REASIM03-20&linkCode=as2& "undefined")). **To buy:** $19, [amazon.com](http://www.amazon.com/When-You-Happy-Eileen-Spinelli/dp/0689862512/ref=as%5Fat?tag=REASIM03-20&linkCode=as2& "undefined"). ### _The Incredible Painting of Felix Clousseau_ by Jon Agee  Square Fish “My children responded enthusiastically to this fanciful story about the extraordinary canvases of an exceptionally gifted painter. They may, in part, have been reacting to my own enthusiasm for this clever, well-told tale. It is accompanied by illustrations that are both charming and comical, and are perfectly suited to the story’s Parisian setting.” Recommended by Chris Van Allsburg, author of _The Polar Express, Jumanji,_ and most recently, _The Misadventures of Sweetie Pie_ ($19, [amazon.com](http://www.amazon.com/The-Misadventures-Sweetie-Chris-Allsburg/dp/0547315821/ref=as%5Fat?tag=REASIM03-20&linkCode=as2& "undefined")). **To buy:** $8, [amazon.com](http://www.amazon.com/Incredible-Painting-Felix-Clousseau/dp/0374435820/ref=as%5Fat?tag=REASIM03-20&linkCode=as2& "undefined"). ### _My Pen_ by Christopher Myers  Disney-Hyperion “On the cover of this stunning book, a hand is drawing a boy on a newspaper boat. What young child doesn’t dream this dream—to be the captain of your every fate—to draw yourself into your own universe? _My Pen_ sweeps readers into the beautiful world of pen and ink drawings and minimal text, letting the pictures tell the story. Love it!” Recommended by Jacqueline Woodson, author _Miracle’s Boys_ and most recently, the memoir _Brown Girl Dreaming_ ($17, [amazon.com](http://www.amazon.com/Brown-Girl-Dreaming-Newbery-Honor/dp/0399252517/ref=as%5Fat?tag=REASIM03-20&linkCode=as2& "undefined")). **To buy:** $17, [amazon.com](http://www.amazon.com/My-Pen-Christopher-Myers/dp/1423103718/ref=as%5Fat?tag=REASIM03-20&linkCode=as2& "undefined"). ### _Fraidy Zoo_ by Thyra Heder  Harry N. Abrams “It’s a very clever twist on alphabetical animal picture books with fun and creative illustrations, and a really funny surprise ending. I admire how Heder shows the whole family playfully animating animals they made themselves out of found, everyday objects. It’s inspiring to read a book that encourages children to get up and make things and to actively use their imaginations.” Recommended by Laura Numeroff, author of _If You Give a Mouse a Cookie_ and the upcoming book series, [_Work for Biscuits_](https://twitter.com/workforbiscuits "undefined")_._ **To buy:** $17,[ amazon.com](http://www.amazon.com/Fraidyzoo-Thyra-Heder/dp/1419707760/ref=as%5Fat?tag=REASIM03-20&linkCode=as2& "undefined"). ### _The Day the Crayons Quit_ by Drew Daywalt  Philomel Books “My granddaughter can’t get enough of this book. What I love about the idea of crayons having personalities is this is how all kids see and use the various colors of crayons. Totally original and hilarious!” Recommended by Rosemary Wells, author of the _Max and Ruby_ series, _Noisy Nora_ and most recently, _Use Your Words,_ _Sophie!_ ($17, [amazon.com](http://www.amazon.com/Your-Words-Sophie-Rosemary-Wells/dp/0670016632/ref=as%5Fat?tag=REASIM03-20&linkCode=as2& "undefined")). **To buy:** $18, [amazon.com](http://www.amazon.com/Day-Crayons-Quit-Drew-Daywalt/dp/0399255370/ref=as%5Fat?tag=REASIM03-20&linkCode=as2& "undefined"). _This_ [_article_](http://www.realsimple.com/work-life/entertainment/childrens-book-authors-reveal-favorite-picture-books "undefined") _originally appeared on_ [_Real Simple_](http://www.realsimple.com "undefined")_._ _More from Real Simple:_ * [8 Creative Children’s Party Favors](http://www.realsimple.com/holidays-entertaining/gifts/for-kids/creative-party-favors?xid=time-rs "undefined") * [5 Surprising Items to Save for Your Kids](http://www.realsimple.com/work-life/family/kids-parenting/five-surprising-items-to-save-for-your-kids?xid=time-rs "undefined") * [6 Smart Tips for Raising Money-Savvy Kids](http://www.realsimple.com/work-life/family/kids-parenting/kids-money?xid=time-rs "undefined") ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://time.com/3849153/childrens-picture-books/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://time.com/3849153/childrens-picture-books/"},"headline":"8 Iconic Children’s Book Authors Reveal Their Favorite Picture Books","datePublished":"2015-06-24T15:00:56.000Z","dateModified":"2026-05-11T04:42:34.630Z","description":"Page-turners that children are sure to love","url":"https://time.com/3849153/childrens-picture-books/","keywords":["Living","Children","Family","Books"],"thumbnailUrl":"","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Andra Chantim / Real Simple"}],"articleSection":"","image":[],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Time","url":"https://time.com/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://time.com/images/logo.png","width":528,"height":156},"foundingDate":"March 3, 1923","sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/time","https://www.instagram.com/time/?hl=en","https://twitter.com/time","https://www.pinterest.com/timemagazine"]}},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"item":{"@id":"/tag/time-section-living/","name":"Living"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"item":{"@id":"https://time.com/3849153/childrens-picture-books/","name":"8 Iconic Children’s Book Authors Reveal Their Favorite Picture Books"}}]}] ```