Name

Abstract

Baird, Minnie

(1945–) American handbag designer.

Barnum, P.T.

(1810–1891) Promoter, showman, and founder of The Greatest Show on Earth.

Cameron, Dove

(1996–) American actress and singer. Star of The Descendants.

Cuban, Mark

(1958–) American businessman. Owner of the Dallas Mavericks. Investor on the reality television show Shark Tank.

Gaiman, Neil

(1960–) British author of books for children, young adults, and adults. Creator of Coraline, The Graveyard Book, and Chu’s Day.

Husband, Rick

(1957–2003) American astronaut. Commander of the Columbia space shuttle mission, 2003.

Jasper, William

(c. 1750–1779) American patriot and Revolutionary War hero. Fought at the Battle of Fort Sullivan (Later Fort Moultrie).

Kamkwamba, William

(1987–) Malawian inventor, engineer, and author. Co-author and subject of The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind.

Lee, Stan

(1922–2018) American comics author, editor, publisher, art director, and producer. Co-founder of Marvel Comics. Created Fantastic Four, Spider-Man, the Incredible Hulk, X-Men, and other classic comics and characters.

Marion, Francis

(1732–1795) American patriot and Revolutionary War general, nicknamed “The Swamp Fox.”

Markle, Meghan

(1981–) Duchess of Sussex, married to Prince Harry of the United Kingdom. American actress and humanitarian.

Medina, Meg

(1964?–) Cuban-American author of books for children and young adults. Winner of the 2019 Newbery Medal for Merci Suárez Changes Gears.

Pickens, Andrew

(1739–1817) American patriot and Revolutionary War general. Led American troops in the Battle of Cowpens.

Sumter, Thomas

(1734–1832) American patriot and Revolutionary War general. Nicknamed “The Carolina Gamecock.” Fort Sumter is named for him.

Yeager, Jeana

(1952–) American aviator. Co-pilot of first airplane to fly nonstop around the world without refueling.

Name

Abstract

Adler, David A.

(1947–) American author of books for children. Creator of the “Cam Jansen” books.

Alexander, Kwame

(1968–) American poet and author of books for children. Winner of the Newbery Medal for Crossover.

Allsburg, Chris Van

(1949–) American author and illustrator of children’s books. Creator of The Polar Express and Jumanji.

Applegate, K.A.

(1956–) American children’s author. Creator of the Animorphs series and The One and Only Ivan.

Avi

(1937–) American author of books for children and young adults. Creator of The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle, the Amanda Series, and the Crispin Series.

Barnhill, Kelly

(1973–) American author of books for young readers. Winner of the 2017 Newbery Medal for The Girl Who Drank the Moon.

Blackall, Sophie

(1970–) Australian illustrator and author. Winner of the 2016 Caldecott Medal for Finding Winnie: The True Story of the World’s Most Famous Bear. Winner of the 2019 Caldecott Medal for Hello Lighthouse.

Blume, Judy

(1938–) American author of books for children, young adults, and adults. Creator of the “Fudge” books.

Brett, Jan

(1949–) American children’s author and illustrator.

Brown, Marc

(1946–) American children’s author and illustrator. Creator of the Arthur series.

Bunting, Eve

(1928–) Irish-born American writer for children and young adults.

Cannon, Janell

(1957–) American children’s author and illustrator. Creator of Stellaluna.

Carle, Eric

(1929–) American children’s author and illustrator. Creator of The Hungry Little Caterpillar.

Clements, Andrew

(1949–) American children’s author. Creator of Big Al, Frindle, Double Trouble in Walla Walla, and Jake Drake, Bully Buster.

Collier, Bryan

(1967–) American author and illustrator of children’s books. Illustrator of Martin’s Big Words and Rosa.

Cronin, Doreen

(1966–) American author of books for children. Creator of Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type.

Curtis, Christopher Paul

(1953–) African American writer. Author of The Watsons Go to Birmingham, Bud, Not Buddy, and Elijah of Buxton.

Dahl, Roald

(1916–1990) English author. Creator of James and the Giant Peach and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

DePaola, Tomie

(1934–) American children’s author and illustrator.

DiCamillo, Kate

(1964–) American children’s author. Creator of Because of Winn–Dixie, The Tiger Rising, and The Tale of Despereaux. Two-time Newbery winner for The Tale of Despereaux and Flora & Ulysses.

Draper, Sharon

(1948–) American teacher and author of books for children and young adults. Creator of Tears of a Tiger, the “Ziggy” books, the “Sassy” series, and Out of My Mind. Named national teacher of the year in 1997.

Ehlert, Lois

(1934–) American children’s author and illustrator. Creator of Growing Vegetable Soup and Color Zoo.

Falconer, Ian

(1959–) American author, illustrator, and set designer creator of Olivia.

Floca, Brian

(1969–) American author and illustrator of children’s books. Winner of the 2014 Caldecott Medal for Locomotive

Gantos, Jack

(1951–) American author of books for children and adults. Author of Dead End in Norvelt. Winner of the Newbery Medal.

Giff, Patricia Reilly

(1935–) American author of children’s books.

Handler, Daniel

(1970–) American author for children and young adults who writes as “Lemony Snicket.” Creator of A Series of Unfortunate Events.

Henkes, Kevin

(1960–) American children’s author and illustrator. Creator of Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse.

Higgins, Pattillo

(1863–1955); Texas oilman, called the “Prophet of Spindletop”

Holm, Jennifer L. and Matthew

Jennifer (1968?–) Matthew (1974?–) American children’s author and illustrator. Sister and brother team who created the Babymouse Series.

James, LeBron

(1984–) American professional basketball player with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Jolliet, Louis

(1645–1700) French explorer and cartographer. Explored the Mississippi River with Jacques Marquette.

Kellogg, Steven

(1941–) American children’s author and illustrator. Creator of Pinkerton, Behave! Can I Keep Him? and Paul Bunyan.

Kinney, Jeff

(1971–) American author, illustrator, and web designer. Creator of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid Series.

Klassen, Jon

(1981–) Canadian author, illustrator, and animator. Caldecott winner for This Is Not My Hat.

Lewis, J. Patrick

(1942–) American author. New children’s poet laureate of the U.S.

Lowry, Lois

(1937–) American author. Creator of Number the Stars, The Giver, Anastasia Krupnik, and Goonie Bird Greene.

MacLachlan, Patricia

(1938–) American children’s author. Creator of Sarah, Plain and Tall.

Marquette, Jacques

(1637–1674) French missionary and explorer. Explored the Mississippi River with Louis Jolliet.

Martin, Ann M.

(1955–) American author of Children’s books. Creator of “The Baby-Sitter’s Club” books.

Mayer, Mercer

(1943–) American children’s author and illustrator. Creator of the “Little Critter” books.

Numeroff, Laura

(1953–) American children’s author and illustrator. Creator of If You Give a Mouse a Cookie.

Nye, Naomi Shihab

(1952–) Arab-American poet and novelist for children and adults.

O'Connor, Jane

(1947–) American children’s writer. Creator of the “Fancy Nancy” series.

Osborne, Mary Pope

(1949–) American children’s author. Creator of the “Magic Tree House” series.

Paterson, Katherine

(1932–) American writer for children and young adults. Author of The Bridge to Terabithia.

Pilkey, Dav

(1966–) American children’s author and illustrator.

Pinkney, Andrea Davis

(1963–) American author, editor, and publisher of children’s books.

Pinkney, Brian

(1961–) American author and illustrator of children’s books.

Pinkwater, Daniel

(1941–) American author and illustrator of books for children and young adults.

Polacco, Patricia

(1944–) American children’s author and illustrator. Creator of Meteor! and Thank You, Mr. Falker.

Prelutsky, Jack

(1940–) American children’s poet. Creator of The Dragons Are Singing Tonight and Scranimals.

Raschka, Chris

(1959–) American author and illustrator of children’s books. Creator of Yo! Yes? and illustrator of The Hello, Goodbye Window.

Ringgold, Faith

(1930–) American artist and children’s author and illustrator.

Riordan, Rick

(1964–) American author of books for children and adults. Creator of the “Percy Jackson and the Olympians” and “The Kane Chronicles” series.

Rohmann, Eric

(1957–) American artist and author and illustrator of children’s books. Creator of My Friend Rabbit.

Rowling, J.K.

(1965–) English author. Creator of the Harry Potter series.

Russell, Rachel Renee

(1960?–) American lawyer and author and illustrator of books for children. Creator of the “Dork Diaries” series.

Rylant, Cynthia

(1954–) American children’s author. Creator of The Relatives Came and the “Henry and Mudge” books.

Sabuda, Robert

(1965–) American children’s author, illustrator, artist, and paper engineer. Creator of the pop–up books.

Sachar, Louis

(1954–) American children’s author. Creator of the “Wayside School” books, the “Marvin Redpost” series, and Holes.

Scieszka, Jon

(1954–) American author of children’s books. Creator of The True Story of the Three Little Pigs, Math Curse, Science Curse, and the “Time Warp Trio” books.

Selznick, Brian

(1966–) American children’s author and illustrator. Winner of the Caldecott Medal for The Invention of Hugo Cabret.

Shannon, David

(1959-) American author and illustrator of children’s books. Creator of the No, David! books.

Sis, Peter

(1949–) Czechoslovakian author, illustrator, and filmmaker. Creator of Starry Messenger, Madlenka, and The Tree of Life.

Small, David

(1945–) American children’s author and illustrator. Creator of Imogene’s Antlers and illustrator of So You Want to Be President?

Stead, Erin E. and Philip C.

Erin E. Stead (1982–) and Philip C. Stead (1981–) American authors and illustrators. Creators of A Sick Day for Amos McGee, winner of the 2011 Caldecott Medal.

Vanderpool, Clare

(1964–) American author of books for children. Author of Moon over Manifest, winner of the 2011 Newbery Medal.

Wells, Rosemary

(1943–) American children’s author and illustrator. Creator of the “Max and Ruby” books and Yoko.

Wiesner, David

(1956–) American children’s author and illustrator. Three-time Caldecott Medal winner.

Willems, Mo

(1968–) American author, illustrator, and animator. Creator of Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! and Knuffle Bunny.

Woodson, Jacqueline

(1964–) American author of books for children and young adults.

Yolen, Jane

(1939–) American author of books for children, young adults, and adults. Creator of The Emperor and the Kite and Owl Moon.