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Who is the first author or illustrator that comes

Who is the first author or illustrator that comes to mind when deciding to do a study with your students? If you're relying on the same 10-15 typical recommendations, you're missing out on a lot of children's literature creators we could be sharing with students in their school years. Starting with these 150 options!

There are SO MANY options available to us in the year 2026 to diversify the picture book author/illustrator study. Tireless efforts over 12 years from @weneeddiversebooks has moved the needle - though there is worry that the pendulum is swinging back with all of the efforts to challenge, ban, and erase identities and history while publishing is condensing. And still, so often, when I see educators ask for recommendations for author/illustrator studies, we see the same white men mentioned over & over again.

But we can push back on that! I first started this list in 2022 based on a question I got in a #ClassroomBookADay workshop asking for recommendations for more inclusive representation when choosing author/illustrator studies. I started with 42 creators off the top of my head in a ten minute brainstorm. In my 2024 update, I was up to 79 creators. Last week I posted my most recent version with 114 names. And the comments came rolling in to remind me of so many names I had forgotten (thank you, everyone!!). And now we're up to 150 - SO many incredible choices!

My parameters for curating this list:
- Picture book author and/or illustrator
- Public identity aligns with WNDB definition of diversity
- At least 4-5 published picture books --> enough for a week-long classroom study or month-long library study
- I have read at least two of their books and would recommend them

The world is vast & communities are diverse - who we choose to highlight, promote, & uplift should reflect that if we are doing our job right as librarians. And we won't continue to have inclusive representation and a diverse list of kidlit creators if we don't support their books, buy / order / request their books, and stay vocal about how great their books are! So #BeAnAmbassador in all the ways and in all the spaces that you can.

#LibraryLife #SchoolLibrary #PictureBooks

The first & the final. The read alouds I keep goin

The first & the final. The read alouds I keep going back to for the first K4 library visit & the last 4th grade class. Welcoming them with fun & understanding of how borrowing book at a library works. Sending them off with the message that they have limitless potential in them. 💜

First: Where Are My Books? by @inkygirl

Final: You Will Do Great Things by @amerie illustrated by @rizzyfig

#ClassroomBookADay #LibraryLife #PictureBook #SchoolLibrary #KidLit

The stages of a Stick Together poster. Oh, the exc

The stages of a Stick Together poster. Oh, the excitement when they finally had enough completed to realize what this one was going to be!!

Though a little disappointed @demcoinc didn't include enough of all of the letter stickers for the actual squares for this @demco_sticktogether design. 😔

#LibraryLife #SchoolLibrary #ElementaryLibrary #StickTogether #DogMan

Meet Amber Ren. Chinese American illustrator of se

Meet Amber Ren. Chinese American illustrator of several delightful picture books with beautiful use of light. If you've been sleeping on Looking for a Jumbie in particular, make sure to add it to your need-to-order-immediately list!

It's past time to diversify the picture book author / illustrator study!

#BeAnAmbassador #ClassroomBookADay #LibraryLife #PictureBook #WeNeedDiverseBooks

Meet Kyle Lukoff. Not only does he write excellent

Meet Kyle Lukoff. Not only does he write excellent picture books, he also has an early reader series, middle grade novels, and young adult titles, too! I'm sorry to say, but if you haven't read I'm Sorry You Got Mad by now, you should be mad at yourself!

It's past time to diversify the picture book author / illustrator study!

#BeAnAmbassador #ClassroomBookADay #LibraryLife #PictureBook #WeNeedDiverseBooks

A book mom I'm thinking about on Mother's Day. Thi

A book mom I'm thinking about on Mother's Day. This one has really stuck with me. The mom in A Place For Us by James E. Ransome.💜

Who are some of the moms in picture books that have stuck with you?

#ClassroomBookADay #LibraryLife #PictureBook #SchoolLibrary #KidLit

^{Views expressed within these pages are personal &}
^{do not represent my professional role or my employer.}

© 2026 Heise Reads & Recommends · Becca Paro Design Co.

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