Natalie Babbitt
She is not only the author of the classic tale, Tuck Everlasting, but also the author of the Newberry Honor book, Kneeknock Rise, Eyes of the Amaryllis, another of her books made into a film (in 1982), and her latest Jack Plank Tells Tales, the charming story of a pirate who has fallen on bad times. Punctuating her stories with her own illustrations, Babbit is a timeless teller of wonderful children’s tales.

Lucinda Landon
Landon writes the cute mystery series, Meg Mackintosh, drawing inspiration from her own rambling 18th Century house, full of hidden nooks and crannies. These beginning readers mysteries are ever popular, full of challenges directly to the reader (as the subtitle proclaims: A Solve-It Yourself Mystery), Landon has found an engaging and fun way to introduce children to reading.

Avi (Edward Irving Wortis)
The prolific and well-loved author, having written fifty-eight novels as of 2007, many of them for children, winning a number of awards along the way, Avi is a  perennial summer reading list favorite. While his most famous books are considered historical novels, including The Man Who was Poe, and The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle, such is his range that any and all can enjoy his varied works.

Mark Binder
Another who produces CDs for children, collecting classic and Jewish stories, Binder is a popular storyteller, giving each story his own unique style. He has also authored several books, including Everything Bedtime Story Book, and World’s Best Challah, a wonderful book about baking that particular bread. As to children’s stories as mac’n’cheese is to comfort food.

Chris Van Allsburg
The master of picture books, Van Allsburg has had so many of his books made into movies that the movies have become more famous than the books that inspired them. Jumanji, Polar Express, and Zathura have all made it to the big screen, proving how exceptional Van Allsburg’s work is. The stories he writes, and their accompanying illustrations, are never ordinary, often exploring unusual themes for children’s books, but are always wonderful.

David Macaulay
Macaulay is the author primarily of a whimsical series of richly detailed children’s books on architecture and design. The extensive pen-and-ink drawings in these books explore the construction of such varied things as cathedrals, pyramids, castles, and even sewers. He has also illustrated The Way Things Work, a book intended to serve as an entertaining introduction to everyday machines.

Mary Jane Begin
Mary Jane Begin's award-winning children's picture book portfolio includes A Mouse Told His Mother, Little Mouse's Painting, Before I Go To Sleep, The Porcupine Mouse, Jeremy's First Haircut, The Wind in the Willows, The Sorcerer's Apprentice, and R is for Rhode Island Red.