A great illustrator can sometimes be overlooked, especially when teamed up with a famous author, but what would some of our favorite children’s books be without the illustrations? Before we read words, we read pictures. As a child, I loved the sneaky mouse from Goodnight Moon, the textured monsters from Where the Wild Things Are, and the colorful, expressive dogs from Go Dog, Go! Visual details are important literacy tools that help build comprehension of a story, and eventually make it easier for children to read the words. To celebrate Picture Book Month this November, here’s a highlight of some of our favorite 2016 picture book illustrators! - Rebecca (Sunset)
They All Saw a Cat Written and illustrated by Brendan Wenzel
Wenzel paints using a variety of techniques and styles to depict how the cat looks to different animals. This book is his debut as both author and illustrator. “Along with inviting more reflective viewers to ruminate about perception and subjectivity, the cat’s perambulations offer elemental visual delights in the art’s extreme and sudden shifts in color, texture, and mood from one page or page turn to the next.” - Kirkus Review
Du Iz Tak? Written and illustrated by Carson Ellis
“The creator of Home turns a droll eye to the natural world, with gorgeous art and a playful invented language.” - Penguin Random House
Teacup Written by Rebecca Young, illustrated by Matt Ottley
“Vast expanses of sea and sky are conveyed both in monumental oil paintings and by the white or colored negative space of some double-page spreads. The text and artwork complement each other to produce a journey that combines elements of reality and dreamlike images.” –Kirkus Review
Blocks Written and illustrated by Irene Dickson
“A stylishly illustrated, ingeniously simple picture-book debut, perfect for teaching young children about colors and sharing…” - Candlewick Press
Jazz Day by Roxane Orgill, Illustrated by Frances Vallejo
“Francis Vallejo’s vibrant, detailed, and wonderfully expressive paintings do loving justice to the larger-than-life quality of jazz musicians of the era.” - Candlewick Press
Here are some more of our favorites:
123 Dream Written and Illustrated by Kim Krans
Real Cowboys Written by Kate Hoefler, Illustrated by Jonathan Bean
We Found a Hat Written and illustrated by Jon Klassen
A Child of Books by Oliver Jeffers and Sam Winston
I Am a Story Written and illustrated by Dan Yaccarino
The Sound of Silence Written by Katrina Goldsaito, Illustrated by Julia Kuo
Nanette’s Baguette Written and illustrated by Mo Willems
Swatch: The Girl Who Loved Color Written and illustrated by Julia Denos