Living in the Boston area, well, it can be pretty magical when it comes to children’s literature. And the landscape in Massachusetts is peppered with imaginary characters (and monuments and places to celebrate them), especially when it comes to children’s picture books. 

The classic children’s picture book Make Way for Ducklings is memorialized in Boston Public Gardens, the Seuss in Springfield museum in Springfield, Mass. and the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art in Amherst, Mass. Outside of Boston you have charming bookstores: An Unlikely Story Bookstore & Cafe in Plainville, Mass. founded by the author of The Diary of a Wimpy Kid and the Blue Bunny Books & Toys in Dedham, Mass. owned by children’s picture book author and illustrator Peter H. Reynolds.

There is a wealth of children’s literary talent in the area, and we feel fortunate that meeting an author, an author you admire, an author whose books you see on the bookshelf that creates an imaginary world you like to enter, can happen.

Story time encounters and inspiration with Boston area authors

This past month we were fortunate to meet not just 1, but 2 Boston-based children’s picture book authors  – Josh Funk, of the Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast series, and Peter H. Reynolds, author and illustrator of  The Dot and a collection of other wonderful stories.

What I admired about both interactions is their love to share what they do – their passion – and encouragement of kids to be creative. This pause, this encouragement for the child who is lost daydreaming, was such a refreshing message to receive. As fall begins, how many conversations include the question, “What activities did you sign your child up for?”

Reynolds told my daughter when he draws, it starts as an idea in his head, travels down his arm, and if he has a pen in his hand, he tries to draw it. What a lovely description of the magic of ideas and drawing for a 6-year-old.  

At a local story time (with ice cream!), Funk shared the idea for his Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast picture book series came from his children, who were debating what to eat for breakfast. Our takeaway: you can find inspiration anywhere.

For children’s picture books that delight, spurn laughter and inspire, here are our 7 Boston area children’s picture book authors (and sometimes author/illustrators) with books that should be on every child’s shelf:

Josh Funk, Children’s Picture Book Author 

Why mom approves: the rhythm of his rhyming has readers happily rollicking along until the end of the story (which the child will want you to read again and again)  

We went to a local story time for Josh Funk, and there the kids had a chance to listen to the soon-to-be-released Mission Defrostable, the third installment of the wonderful Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast picture book series published by Sterling Publishing. There was so much laughter! There are the delightful and silly food images (“pickle post” comes to mind), a frozen fridge, and an Agent Asparagus who swoops in to help Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast figure out the mystery of the ice-cold refrigerator. Things go astray when Agent Asparagus goes missing. Oh, and of course the curmudgeon Baron Van Waffle makes an appearance as well.

What we love is that Funk finds so much fun and plot line within a refrigerator (“captured and shackled in curly fry chains” – I mean, it’s like this food was meant to serve this purpose). Brendan Kearney is the illustrator, and his drawings will have kids’ eyes roaming the pages. The “party foldout” at the end of the book (as in the first two) could be a standalone poster.

Peter H. Reynolds, Children’s Picture Book Author & Illustrator 

Why mom approves: his stories and illustrations nurture the creative spirit in every child

When you share a Peter H. Reynolds story or illustration with a child, you almost want to do it in a whisper. That is how magically special his children’s picture books can be and how entranced the child will be on the journey. The images are whimsical and dreamy, and the message in every story is something that you will want to share again and again. His best seller is The Dot, a story about a girl who makes one small mark on a piece of paper that leads to a journey of self-discovery and the creative spirit in all of us.

In addition to amazingly beautiful picture books and illustrations, he has made Blue Bunny Books & Toys such a wonderful bookstore to spend an hour or so wandering the shelves, looking for gifts, or grabbing a cup of coffee or snack. The staff is incredibly knowledge, and you will always come back with a great book.

Mo Willems, Children’s Picture Book Author & Illustrator 

Why mom approves: The Pigeon, Elephant & Piggie, and Knuffle Bunny are childhood staples 

Having Mo Willems hail from Massachusettes? That is the greatest thing to happen, except for (enter some obscure sports reference about the Red Sox that I don’t know). No, but in all serious, children are enthralled by Willems’ picture books and his imaginary characters. They are so playful, with childlike impulses that make it so relatable (and funny) for kids.

We are big fans of The Pigeon, including Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive a Bus, The Pigeon Wants a Puppy, The Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog and The Duckling Gets a Cookie. 

Anna Staniszewski, Children’s Picture Book Author 

Why mom approves: dinosaurs and robots, what’s not to like?

Anna Staniszewski came highly recommended by Josh Funk, and not only did he have great things to say about her, but so do kids at our local library. Her story time featuring picture book Dogosaurus Rex at our library was big hit! With a dinosaur as a pet, and a robot who won’t fall asleep, the imaginary worlds and characters she created will have children asking for more.

Heather Lang, Children’s Picture Book Author 

Why mom approves: based-on-true stories that inspire

Her stories based on real girls and women who overcame and persevered can inspire any little girl and boy to stay focused on the goal. Picture books include Fearless Flyer: Ruth Law and Her Flying Machine, based on a true story of Ruth Law and her record-breaking flight, Anybody’s Game, about the first girl to play little league baseball, Swimming with Sharks the tale of a female scientist, and The Original Cowgirl about a women who would go on to women rodeo championships, despite all odds.

Margie Markarian, Children’s Picture Book Author

Why mom approves: a story about kind and helpful to others

Margie Markarian has written and edited several children’s books, but The Princess and the Cafe and the Moat is her first picture book. The princess wanted to be involved in castle activities, but when she could not, she took matters into her own hand, and as the description reads: “instead of being rescued, the princess would rather come to the rescue of others. With a kind heart and a determined spirit, the princess in this story reminds us that everyone has a gift to share, and everyone can be helpful and kind to others.”

Maddie Frost, Children’s Picture Book Author and Illustrator 

Why mom approves: her illustrations make us feel cooler

We love reading about Maddie Frost’s design process. She paints and colors swatches, scans them into her computer, then digitally cuts them out and plays with them until she makes something cool. And, she makes a lot of cool things. Her picture book, Animobiles: Animals on the Mooove, a story about animal-car mashups make for delightfully, fun images – the cow-cars graze, the bear-bus scoots to the den…She’s also illustrated several fun, bright-colored and imaginative alphabet books that would make terrific baby shower gifts or as a present for a young child.

For more picture book inspiration, here are 21 picture books 3 and 4 year olds will love.