Children's Literature: Illustrators

Below is a list of prolific illustrators. It isn't a comprehensive list, so ask your teacher or librarian about other potential illustrators.

To find secondary sources, use Proquest, which offers access to New Yorker and Kirkus Reviews. You can also search Gale Literature for reviews and criticism. 

Numerous archives collect materials related to children's literature. Search for your illustrator and the word archive to find an archive. A few digital archives include:

• NYPL Children's Book Illustrations
• Library of Congress Historical Children's Books

Most archives have not digitized their collections, but sometimes have online exhibits.

• UMich Children's Literature Special Collections 
• deGrummond Children's Manuscript Collection
• The Children's Literature Research Collections at University of Minnesota

Interviews with some illustrators here!

Choose an illustrator you remember loving as a kid, or a new-to-you illustrator whose art speaks to you! Make sure they are researchable by doing some digging in Proquest, Gale Literature, and Google.

Christian Robinson*:
Notable Book: “Last Stop on Market Street” by Matt de la Peña.

Jon Klassen*:
Notable Book: “I Want My Hat Back” 

Tarō Gomi*:
Notable Book: “Everyone Poops”

Mo Willems*:
Notable Books: “Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!” and the “Elephant & Piggie” series.

Sandra Boynton*:
Notable Books: “Moo, Baa, La La La!” and “The Going to Bed Book.”

Andrea Beatty*:
Notable Book: “Rosie Revere, Engineer” 

Tomie dePaola:
Notable Book: “Strega Nona” and the “26 Fairmount Avenue” series.

Leo and Diane Dillon*:
Notable Book: “Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People’s Ears” (illustrated together).

Faith Ringgold:
Notable Book: “Tar Beach.”

Leo Lionni*:
Notable Book: “Swimmy” and “Frederick.”

Clement Hurd*:
Notable Book: “Goodnight Moon” (illustrated by Hurd).

Oliver Jeffers:
Notable Book: “Lost and Found” and “How to Catch a Star.”

Vashti Harrison*:
Notable Book: “Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History.”

Eric Carle*:
Notable Book: “The Very Hungry Caterpillar.”

Jerry Pinkney:
Notable Book: “The Lion & the Mouse.”

Ruth Chan:
Notable Book: “Where’s the Party?”

Maurice Sendak*:
Notable Book: “Where the Wild Things Are.”

Richard Scarry*:
Notable Book: “Busy, Busy Town.”

Kevin Henkes*:
Notable Book: "Kitten's First Full Moon"

Beatrix Potter*:
Notable Book: “The Tale of Peter Rabbit.”

William Steig*:
Notable Book: “Shrek!” (which inspired the animated film).

Mitsumasa Anno*:
Notable Book: “Anno’s Journey.”

Ezra Jack Keats*:
Notable Book: “The Snowy Day.”

Robert McCloskey*:
Notable Book: “Make Way for Ducklings.”

Grace Lin*:
Notable Book: “Where the Mountain Meets the Moon.”

Wanda Gag*:
Notable book: “Millions of Cats”

Chris Van Allsburg*:
Notable Book: “The Polar Express” and “Jumanji.”

Lane Smith:
Notable Book: “The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales” (illustrated by Smith).

Brian Selznick*:
Notable Book: “The Invention of Hugo Cabret” (combining illustrations and text).

Chris Raschka:
Notable Book: “Yo! Yes?” and “A Ball for Daisy.”

Emily Gravett:
Notable Book: “Wolves” and “The Rabbit Problem.”

Authors with an * denote that Sarah has at least one of this author's books to share.