PICTURE BOOK AUTHOR/ILLUSTRATOR HIGHLIGHT: DON AND AUDREY WOOD

As a follow up to my last post about read-alouds for preschoolers, there is one particular author/illustrator team that I'd like to devote a whole entry to. They have added immensely to the world of children's picture books with their use of wit, language, imagination, and art.

I'm referring to Don and Audrey Wood. This husband and wife team have penned and illustrated several beautiful and original children's books that your home library should not be without! Here are some favorite standouts:

THE LITTLE MOUSE, THE RED RIPE STRAWBERRY, AND THE BIG HUNGRY BEAR (ages 3-5)  A fun way to learn about anticipation. The child you're reading to will get very drawn into both the story and the bold, colorful artwork!

THE NAPPING HOUSE, ages 4-5 (the Woods' own home was the model for the house in their book!) The "napping" takes place at the beginning, as opposed to the end, of this delightful, rolicking story about a sleeping granny and all the characters who join in her nap. Wait until you read how it ends up!

HECKEDY PEG, ages 4-7 (lucious artwork and the authors' personal favorite collaboration) A mother must rescue her children (who are named for the days of the week) from a mean witch, by guessing what each child has been turned into. A beautifully illustrated, original folktale.

KING BIDGOOD'S IN THE BATHTUB, (ages 4-8)  Hilarious tale, in which members of the King's court - in Elizabethan costume - try to coax their sovereign to come out of the tub and rule his kingdom. (Several characters are modeled after the Woods and members of their family. Don Wood won a Caldecott Medal for his lavish illustrations in this book) .

Their son, Bruce Robert Wood, has also recently illustrated a series of "Alphabet" books, written by his mother, Audrey. Quite a talented family!