Top Must Read Children's Authors

We all have a moment in our lives when we fall in love with reading, literature, poetry. Some it is at a young age, others its as they get older. There are many authors and poets geared towards children and their needs. There are many authors and poets who draw children into a love of reading. Look at J.K. Rowling and the impact Harry Potter had on children and their reading. There are authors who influence lives at a young age. Here are some authors that have influenced my reading life and that of many other children.

Shel Silverstein: Shel is known to have developed his own style of laid back and sometimes controversial patterns. He sometimes uses profanity and slang in his works. He obviously did not start out writing children's stories and poetry. He once said in an interview with Publishers Weekly in 1975 "I would hope people, no matter what age would find something within books, pick up one and experience personal sense of discovery." Shel Silverstein wanted children to discover themselves and not conform.

Lewis Carroll: Lewis Carroll is most known for his stories Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass. He is also known for his poem "Jabberwocky." Carroll's writing includes literary non-sense, word plays, and fantasy based themes. Some scholars say Carroll has changed the face of children's literature while others feel his writing is inappropriate for children, and that his writing makes no sense. While there is controversy around Lewis Carroll as a writer and his personal life, his stories are still holding audiences captive and shaping the imagination of children everywhere.

Robert Lewis Stevens: It has been said many times that many of Robert Lewis Stevens' writings mirror his own personal life, his own fantasies. His stories focus on themes that appeal to children and their imaginations such as fantasy, adventure with a little good verses evil in them. Some of his most famous works include Treasure Island, and Dr Jekyll; Mr. Hyde. Stevens also has some poetry, but a small amount but his appeal to children lies in his stories. He seems to be able to tell a story that captivates children from generation to generation

Oliver Wendell Holmes: Oliver Wendell Holmes is one of the "Fire Side" poets. He is placed with poets like Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry Longfellow. His poetry appeals most to children because of its family friendly content, the comic wording and images he portrays. When you read something by Holmes you read about the benefits of being loyal and trustworthy as well as the sentiment he holds and passion for his writing and topics.

Rudyard Kipling: Who hasn't read or seen The Jungle Book? Rudyard Kipling is most known for his characters from the Jungle Book, to where other stories have been spurred from them including Baloo from a cartoon "Tale Spin" Kipling does have some poetry, but found his popularity within his short stories. Some people say that Kipling is a wizard at the English language and rhetoric. He is also said to have been an innovator in the art of short story. He is versatile in his writing, themes, and narratives. Kipling has made children's imaginations grew from the first story they read.

Siobhán Parkinson: Siobhan is an Irish poet who writes not only for children but also for adults. Her books have been translated in several different languages. She is known to be Ireland's best known children's author. Siobhan's books include Kathleen: The Celtic Knot; which is a part of the American Girl series. Some say her books are more written for younger audiences (younger than 11), but there are those who say 10 year olds may not understand the mature content.

A.A Milne: A.A is probably most known for the Winnie The Pooh stories. He created characters from a honey loving bear to a tail bouncing tiger that children of all ages love. Many of Milne's other work include humor and whimsy much like Winnie the Pooh. Children have loved Winnie the Pooh for years and will continue to love him for years to come. Though Winnie The Pooh and House at Pooh Corner are only two out of four stories that A.A. Milne has written. There is also Now We Are Six, and Damsel in Distress.

Dr. Seuss: Who hasn't read Dr. Seuss in their childhood, I still read Dr. Seuss from time to time. Dr. Seuss has a story for everyone no matter what a child's taste is. There are stories for counting, for letters, fantasy, acceptance, humor and so much more. Dr. Seuss will always be an author children will come to love and adore well into their adulthood. Many of his stories have been made into movies and cartoons, Jim Carrey did an excellent job portraying Dr. Seuss villain the Grinch.

James Gurney: James is most known for his "Dino-topia" series, which is a series about dinosaurs and humans cohabitating. His inspiration came from archeological research he did in the past. His stories while there are fiction attributes to them, can help get kids interested in other cultures from his research references. He has stated "Ever since my parents first set me in a sandbox, it has been my dream to create a world." While he created a world for children to enjoy, he could also inspire children to create their own worlds.Dr. Seuss is a house hold name now a days.

Anastasia Suen: Anastasia's stories discuss things that children deal with such as bullies, cutting in line and baby siblings. Her books aren't fiction like the other authors on this list. But her stories appeal to children and gain their attention while teaching them something. She finds family to be the inspiration for many of her works. She has books known as "level" books which means there are steps in the level, some simpler to read and others harder as the child gets better at reading.

There are so many different authors that can make a difference in a child's life from R.L Stine's Goosebumps to J.K. Rowling. Each author motivates children to read in their own ways. Getting children to read at a young age could make a difference in their lives later. Giving the gift of a book, helps give the gift of learning, imagination, growth. There are authors everywhere that would make a difference; its a matter of finding them.