THE SUNDAY EVENING POST is all about authors this week. I have decided to focus on 3 authors instead of three books of the same theme. My children and students tend to find an author they like and read "everything" by that author. Perhaps they are conducting mini author studies and really getting to know the design, writing style and artwork of a particular author (and accompanying illustrator).

Mo Willems

From the antics of Elephant and Piggy to letting a pigeon drive a bus, Mo Willems is a creative artist who can capture the attention of an audience from ages 1-100! My children and I first discovered Mo Willems when my mother bought Knuffle Bunny for my boys because there was an Oma and an Opa in the story (we use these terms for their grandparents). We had no idea that we were being introduced to an award winning author. Then, when my son was in grade one, he did an author study on Mo Willems and we all became very familiar with his many quirky characters.

http://www.mowillems.com

Oliver Jeffers

My children were given How to Catch a Star as a gift and we jumped into the world of Oliver Jeffers. We learned how to catch a star, return a penguin to the South Pole, train a moose and eat books. However, our favourite Oliver Jeffers books are all about the Hueys. These silly little creatures live a simple life but learn big lessons. I like that he illustrates his own books and I think some of the text is his actual handwriting. He also has a different childhood picture on the jacket covers for the 'about the author' section. These are other ways to gain insight into a very talented writer and artist

http://www.oliverjeffers.com

Dr. Seuss

Everyone knows Dr. Seuss but I couldn't do an "author study" on children's books without including the zany Dr. Seuss. Timeless treasures that have been read for years and will continue to entertain young and old for generations to come. His stories can teach a child to read with a silly cat in a crazy hat and then make us question our ethics about the environment with beautiful truffula. Take the time to re-discover Dr. Seuss, you'll have a good laugh (and maybe question how he came up with his rhyming vocabulary?).

http://www.seussville.com