13 Authors and Their Favorite Children's Books
13 Authors and Their Favorite Children's Books
Katie Burke
The Junie B. Jones series and the Lemony Snicket series
Seth C. Adams
Some folks might not initially think of the influence of children's books on suspense/horror writers, but like anyone else, we on the darker spectrum of the literary world are largely influenced by what we read as children. For me, the "boy and his dog" stories struck a deep chord with me at an early age. WHERE THE RED FERN GROWS, BIG RED, and OLD YELLER all spoke to me in my preteen years on an emotional level I didn't quite understand as a youth. Now, as an adult, having outlived several wonderful canine friends, it's the lessons of selfless love, devotion, and loyalty that I now know rationally (and, yes, still emotionally) as a grown man, spoke to me then as a growing boy.
Emily B. Martin
The Paper Bag Princess, Robert Munsch The Moorchild, Eloise McGraw Island of the Blue Dolphins, Scott O'Dell
Tracy Richardson
A Wrinkle in Time, The Thief Series and The View From Saturday
Barbara McNally
My favorite children’s book is Rebel Girls because it helps little girls decide what they want to be when they grow up! Four Faces of Femininity helps women decide how they want to evolve and balance all their different roles and dreams.
Lisa Braxton
Little Women: The novel by Louisa May Alcott centering on the four March sisters played a big role in my wanting to become a novelist. Harriet the Spy: My 4th grade teacher would have the entire class sit in a circle with the lights down as she read chapters to us each day. I loved the story. It was like having my favorite dessert fed to me one spoonful at a time. Charlotte's Web: I read it as a child and a couple of times since adulthood and still enjoy it. The friendship and teamwork between the spider and the pig was so beautiful. When I think about their "journey" now, it makes me misty eyed.
Pierce A Koslosky Jr
The "Freddy the Pig" series. They are 27 books by Walter Brooks, who was also the author of the "Mr. Ed" talking horse stories - (although when those stories appeared in "Argosy"- before the TV show - Ed was a drinker). - Yes, I know you can't fight "The Little Prince" or "The Velveteen Rabbit." I adore those books! But Freddy the Pig isn't Tolstoy; it's something else. Something different: a time machine back to the 30's-50's in upstate New York. All the animals talk and the people don't. Characters help each other, and figure things out. The only mean character is Simon the Rat, and believe me, he's not that mean. "Freddy the Detective" "Freddy the Pilot" "Freddy Goes to the North Pole." "Freddy and the Men from Mars." Come on, aren't you rooting for Freddy already? --As a member of "The Friends of Freddy" I was duty bound to make this post. We hold biennial conventions near the fictional town of Centerboro, New York. The entire series was recently reprinted by Overlook Press. Their publisher, the late Peter Mayer, also published Salman Rushdie. That's the kind of fans you're dealing with. All are welcome to join. Just remember to be nice.
Nicole C Kear
I have to do it by category because there are just TOO MANY! In middle grade, my all-time fave is: Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret by Jude Blume, and a close second would be James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl, in contemporary fiction it's: When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead, in fantasy: Dragon Rider by Cornelia Funke, and in classics, it's: Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie (which inspired my novel Foreverland!). For chapter books, my favorite, hands down, is the Ramona series, by Beverly Cleary. and my favorite picture book is a tie between The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein, and Outside Over There by Maurice Sendak.
Brian Weisfeld
I created The Startup Squad in part because I wanted more empowering influences for my girls so I tend towards books with strong female characters. The Princess in Black series is a favorite. Dory Fantasmagory makes me laugh every time. And a special shout out to Rain Reign which changed the way I parent.
Zeno Alexander
Anything by PL Travers, Joan Aiken, Diana Wynne Jones, or E Nesbit. They are all inspirations for my own books.
August Norman
From my early childhood, the Richard Scarry books, the Busytown series in particular, brought me a great deal of joy. I also spent hours devouring Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak. From there, I discovered my father's collection of Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew mysteries. Finally, it may be considered middle grade, but I consider Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson the book that first made me cry in the best possible way, a sign of quality literature that I still try to emulate...even in crime fiction.
Caroline Brooks DuBois
Caps for Sale, The Borrowers, The Littles, Make Way for Ducklings, Charlotte's Web, The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, Shel Silverstein books, Harold's Purple Crayon
Lisa Baker Morgan
Goodnight Moon; The Giving Tree; The Old Man Who Loved Cheese; Charlotte's Web; Oh, The Places You'll Go!; Little Women; The Little Prince; The Velveteen Rabbit; The Tale of Despereaux
