Get to Know an Author
Try this super summer reading project: Study an author who celebrates a summer birthday.
Say "happy birthday" to your favorite authors this summer.
Why not spend the summer exploring the lives and work of a favorite children's book creator? We've compiled a list of authors born during this season, with links to their biographies, interviews, and more. Plus, your child won't want to miss each author's great books!
Kindergarten–Grade 2
Grades 3–5
Middle School
Eric Carle — June 25
Known for his dazzling collage illustrations, Eric Carle's animal tales delight readers ages 1 to 101, though the board and picture book editions are most popular with the 6 and under crowd. Some of his most popular works include: Does A Kangaroo Have a Mother, Too?, Papa, Please Get the Moon for Me, and The Very Hungry Caterpillar.
Joanna Cole — August 11
The author of dozens of books, she's best known as one of the creators of Scholastic's The Magic School Bus series, which includes The Magic School Bus Gets Ants in its Pants for grade-schoolers and Liz Looks for a Home for the younger set. She also pens the popular Gator Girls books, which feature the antics of a pair of alligator friends.
Bruce Degen — June 14
Also an author of Scholastic's The Magic School Bus series, he wrote and illustrated the exuberant picture books Jamberry and Daddy Is a Doodlebug, two rhyming romps that are sure to make your energetic youngster laugh out loud.
Jean Marzollo — June 24
Meet the rhyming master behind the phenomonally popular I Spy series, which includes I Spy School Days and I Spy Little Book. Plus, she's scribed several engaging pieces of non-fiction, including I Am a Leaf for Scholastic's Hello Reader series.
Chris Van Allsburg — June 18
The winner of several awards including the Caldecott, this author/illustrator crafts enchanted tales brought to life through dazzling, detailed illustrations. Jumanji, The Polar Express, and The Garden of Abdul Gasazi are among his most revered books.
Sharon Creech — July 29
This heralded author of Love That Dog and Bloomability is known for her lyrical, moving chapter books starring compelling characters thriving under unusual circumstances. She also won a Newbery Medal for Walk Two Moons, the story of a girl setting out on a cross-country trip to find her mother.
Paula Danziger – August 18
Known for her delightfully funny and true contemporary novels, this author crafted the classroom tales about Amber Brown, and teamed up with Ann Martin to write P.S. Longer Letter Later and Snail Mail No More.
Jack Gantos — July 2
The creator of the humorous and poignant Joey Pigza trilogy, about a hyperactive grade-schooler and his struggles at school and home, this author also wrote Rotten Ralph and its sequels, picture books about a very nasty cat.
James Howe — August 2
Ever heard of a vampire bunny? Bunnicula and its many sequels were born in the brain of this author, who also penned the funny, easy-reading Pinky and Rex books and the middle-school novel The Misfits.
E.B. White — July 11
This New Yorker editor crafted three of the best chapter books in the children's literature canon. Your child won't want to miss any of his novels: The Trumpet of the Swan, Stuart Little, and the incomparable Charlotte's Web.
Natalie Babbitt — July 28
This lyrical writer challenges readers to contemplate ideas not often addressed in children's books. Look no further than her beautiful novel Tuck Everlasting, which recently bounced back on the bestseller list with the release of a film adaptation, to ponder issues of eternal life.
Kathryn Lasky — June 24
A creator of several Dear America books including Christmas After All and Elizabeth I, this historical writer also earned a Newbery Honor for her searing Salem witch trials novel, Beyond the Burning Time.
Ann M. Martin — August 12
The author of several teen- and tween-pleasing Babysitter Club books, this author also scribed Newbery Honor book A Corner of the Universe, about a girl and her mentally ill uncle. Fans won't want to miss P.S. Longer Letter Later and Snail Mail No More, which she wrote with author and friend, Paula Danziger.
Walter Dean Myers — August 12
Full of gripping action and dynamic dialogue, this author's young adult novels often explore the experiences of African-American teens in challenging circumstances. Favorite novels include Slam, Somewhere in the Darkness, and the critically acclaimed screenplay-novel, Monster.
J.K. Rowling — July 31
Few children's book authors are as well known as this Harry Potter creator. And with the final installment in the series still to come, your child is sure to love learning more about her!
