Enduring Children's Classics, and the Illustrators we love
My Father’s
Dragon
By Ruth Stiles Gannett
With Original illustrations by Ruth Chrisman Gannett and Newly imagined paintings by Helena Perez Garcia
My son loves this book (it was one of the first chapter books I read to him) and now there is a gorgeous new version with color illustrations by Helena Perez Garcia paired alongside the original illustrations by Ruth Chrisman Gannett, and the result is wonderful. I purchased this book for a friend of mine earlier this year and she just adored it!
If you enjoy this illustrator’s style, as I certainly do, she also did a collection of fairytales this year that might interest you.
Published April 6, 2021 by Bushel and Peck Books
Check out My Father’s Dragon on Amazon
My Father’s
Dragon
By Ruth Stiles Gannett
Illustrated by Jayla Joseph
I believe that children should be able to identify and relate with the books they read and I love what this illustrator has done to make this classic more culturally diverse!
Published July 21, 2021 by Little Book Wallah
Check out My Father’s Dragon on Amazon
The Golden
Compass
Philip Pullman
Illustrated by Chris Wormell
I pull this off the shelf and flip through it every time I see it in a book store. It is so beautifully and richly illustrated!
Chris Wormell has illustrated the second book, The Subtle Knife, which has been released overseas this year, and can be purchased in the USA (but is rather pricey so I would wait a bit until it is widely released here).
Published (in the USA) June 22, 2021 by Knopf Books for Young Readers
Check out The Golden Compass on Amazon
The Butterfly Lion
Michael Morpurgo
Illustrated by Christian Birmingham
I’ve had this one on my read-aloud list for some time and was thrilled to discover it has been newly published with this gorgeous cover and colorized illustrations!
Published November 11, 2021 by HarperCollins Publishers
Check out The Butterfly Lion on Amazon
The Wind in
the Willows
Kenneth Grahame
Illustrated by Grahame Baker-Smith
Ever since I saw his illustrations for the Folio Society’s The Selfish Giant and Other Stories by Oscar Wilde, I have been enamored with this illustrator’s work. And then one day, I was minding my own business when, boom! I came across this version of The Wind in the Willows in our local bookstore! My reaction was true, fantastic excitement! Cloth bound and gilded, with illustrations as only Grahame Baker-Smith can procure. It’s wonderful.
Published November 30, 2021 by Templar
Check out The Wind in the Willows on Amazon
Alice’s Adventures in
Wonderland
by Lewis Carroll
Illustrated by Grahame Baker-Smith
Another classic illustrated by Grahame Baker-Smith!! The illustrations look AMAZING. I cannot wait to see what other classics might be coming out in this line.
Published November 30, 2021 by Templar
Check out Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland on Amazon
Through the
Looking Glass
and What
Alice Found
There
by Lewis Carroll
Illustrated by Chris Riddell
Ah Chris Riddell! Another favorite of mine! (I intend to do an illustrator explore on him very soon!)
Often pairing up with author Neil Gaiman, his work is catchy and colorful and….has a personality of it’s own.
He illustrated Alice in Wonderland last year, definitely worth your while to check out!
Published June 24, 2021 by Macmillan Children’s Books
Check out Through the Looking Glass and What Alice Found There on Amazon
The
Wonderful
Wizard of
Oz
by Frank Baum
Illustrated by MINALIMA
MINALIMA had two books out this year and both are just amazing (second one below).
Shortly after it was released, I received The Wonderful Wizard of Oz as a gift by a buddy of mine, and it is stunning, with clever paper engineering that is just the right level of interactive to entrance the reader without losing the rhythm of the story.
If you are interested, I did an exploration of all the illustrated versions of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, which you can see by clicking here. I also did an exploration of MINALIMA’s illustrated classics which you can check out here.
Published September 14, 2021, by Harper Design
Check out The Wonderful Wizard of Oz on Amazon
Harry
Potter and
the
Chamber of
Secrets
by J.K. Rowling
Illustrated by MINALIMA
MINALIMA’s long-awaited second book in the Harry Potter Series! So cleverly designed with illustrations whose possession of detail and color blow me away!
Published October 26, 2021 by Harper Design
Check out Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets on Amazon
Kiki’s Delivery
Service
by Eiko Kadono
Illustrated by Yuta Onoda
Another modern classic that received some illustration love this year by Yuta Onoda, whose work you may recognize from the 2017 Newbery Medal Winner The Girl Who Drank the Moon.
I added this one to our next reading list.
Published June 8, 2021 by Yearling
Check out Kiki’s Delivery Service on Amazon
Arthur the
Always King
by Kevin Crossley-Holland
Illustrated by Chris Riddell
This is a new one by expert-on-the-subject Kevin Crossley-Holland. I think pairing up with illustrator Chris Riddell was a stroke of genius! I am so excited to read this!
Published November 4, 2021 by Walker Books
Check out Arthur the Always King on Amazon
Journey to the River Sea
by Eva Ibbotson
Illustrated by Katie Hickey
I was so excited to discover this gorgeous hardback jacketed gift edition of Eva Ibbotson’s award-winning, bestselling classic adventure, which I have had on my TBR list for some time!
Published October 14, 2021 by Pan Macmillan
Check out Journey to the Sea on Amazon
Moomintroll
Sets Sail
Adapted from the Tove Janson classic by Alex Haridi
Illustrated by Cecilia Davidsson
I think it’s about time that American Children get to know the Moomins a little better. My son and I began reading Tove Janson’s books about a year ago and instantly fell in love! They are rather popular overseas – there is even a series voiced by Kate Winslet and other fine actors that recently came out (but you cannot get it in the USA since the last time I checked which I think is just… mean!).
NOTE: Moomintroll Sets Sail is an adaptation of one of the stories from the original books, and not a chapter book as much as a long story book, but I decided to include it because I have serious Moominfever. I love these books and also own Stories from Moominvalley and Christmas Comes to Moominvalley.
Published April 29, 2021 by Macmillan Children’s Books
Check out Moomintroll Sets Sail on Amazon
Hilda’s Book
of Beasts and
Spirits
By Emily Hibbs
Illustrated by Jason Chan P.L. and Sapo Lendaria
Hilda and the Troll is so special. About a girl who looks beyond fear and misunderstanding to find solutions that bring about happiness for all, set in the most magical land.
We began with the graphic novels then moved to the Netflix series and now I see there are chapter books for early readers and this beautiful book highlighting all the magical creatures in Hilda’s world. Again, not a chapter book exactly, but I have Hilda fever too!
Published March 2, 2021 by Flying Eye Books
Check out Hilda’s Book of Beasts and Spirits on Amazon
Beasts and
Beauty
Dangerous
Tales
By Soman Chainani
Illustrated by Julia Iredale
Ok so this one is not for younger readers…I would say age 16 at the earliest. Fairytales are reimagined by the author of The School for Good and Evil series, and they are exciting and gorgeously illustrated!
Published September 21, 2021 by Harper Collins
Check out Beasts and Beauty Dangerous Tales on Amazon
The Provensen
Book of
Fairy
Tales
By Alice and Martin Provensen
I just received this book for Christmas from my Mother and Father-in-Law (Thank You!!!) and it is wonderful! Twelve tales from various authors including Oscar Wilde and Hans Christian Anderson, all richly illustrated in The Provensens’ imaginative and unique artwork. Last evening, I read Beauty and the Beast, by Arthur Rackham (the classic illustrator! I had had no idea he also wrote!) and I must say it’s quite good, with introspective elements not seen in other versions I have read.
Published November 16, 2021 by NYR Children’s Collection
Check out The Provensen Book of Fairy Tales on Amazon
Fairy Tale
Land
12 Classic
Tales
Reimagined
By Kate Davies
Illustrated by Lucille Clerc
This is the only one on the list that I haven’t seen in person so do take note! But it looks gorgeous from what I can see online and I am desperate to see it in person! I will update this post once I do. Readers, if you have seen it please let me know in the comments below, I’d love to hear what you think.
Published November 2, 2021 by Frances Lincoln Children’s Books
Check out Fairy Tale Land on Amazon
Dulcinea in
the Forbidden
Forest
By Ole Konnecke
Illustrated by Lucille Clerc
Such a wonderful story! I’m loving this publisher and the books they put out for their uniqueness and artistic ingenuity, and this book is no exception!
Published September 7, 2021 by Gecko Press
Check out Dulcinea in the Forbidden Forest on Amazon
Quentin
Blake’s
Magical
Tales
By Quentin Blake
Another book from Gecko Press that just stands out to me. I cannot wait to read this. Beautful!
Published November 23, 2021 by Gecko Press
Check out Quentin Blake’s Magical Tales on Amazon
Dracula
the illustrated
Just-For-
Kids Edition
By Bram Stoker
Illustrated by Maite Schmitt
I ran into these two titles at Barnes & Nobles and was instantly mesmerized by them! The illustrations are intriguing and bold and expressive. Later, I discovered that Whalen Book Works, the publisher, is from Maine, where I live!
Published September 28, 2021 by Whalen Book Works
Check out Dracula – Kid Classics: The Classics Edition Reimagined Just-for-Kids! on Amazon
Frankenstein
the illustrated
Just-For-
Kids Edition
By Mary Shelley
Illustrated by Maite Schmitt
Published September 28, 2021 by Whalen Book Works
Check out Frankenstein – Kid Classics: The Classics Edition Reimagined Just-for-Kids! on Amazon
Gulliver’s
Travels
By Jonathan Swift
Illustrated by Robert Ingpen
Gulliver’s Travels received some Robert Ingpen attention this year and I couldn’t be more excited! I have a post about this illustrator. If interested, click here.
Also recently published, Robinson Crusoe!
Published November 9, 2021 by Welbeck Editions
Check out Gulliver’s Travels on Amazon
Once There
Was a Bear
(The Official 95th Anniversary Prequel)
Tales of
Before it all
Began…
By Jane Riordan, Inspired by A.A. Milne
Illustrated by Mark Burgess in the style of E.H. Shepard
A simply gorgeous little book about Winnie-The-Pooh before the story we all know began.
Published September 30, 2021 by Harper Collins Publishers
Check out Once There was a Bear on Amazon
The Genius Under the Table
By Eugene Yelchin
Eugene Yelchin recounts in hilarious detail his childhood in Cold War Russia as a young boy desperate to understand his place in his family. I’m very intrigued. I have not yet read this but it’s definately on the list!
Published October 12, 2021 by Candlewick
Check out The Genius Under the Table on Amazon
Willodeen
By Katherine Applegate
Illustrated by Charles Santoso
This book caught my eye…just yesterday…while perusing our local BAM store. I love the cover, but after reading about it, and having an animal loving son, especially one that tends to love the ugliest and scariest of them, I know we just have to read it. Important message about nature conservation within the narrative…and beautifully written from what I could tell.
Published September 7, 2021 by Feiwel and Friends
Check out Willodeen on Amazon
The Last
Bear
By Hannah Gold
Illustrated by Levi Pinfold (UK)
Illustrated by Kate Slater (USA)
A story of friendship set in a changing world.
It includes full-page black-and-white illustrations throughout, as well as information about the real Bear Island and the plight of the polar bears.
Published February 2, 2021 by Harper Collins Publishers
Check out The Last Bear illustrated by Levi Pinfold on Amazon (This is the link to the Kindle Edition so you can see interior. To purchase, try Book Depository (only softcover available) or Abebooks has pre-owned hardcovers
Check out The Last Bear illustrated by Kate Slater on Amazon
The Shark
Caller
By Zillah Bethell
Illustrated by Saara Soderlund
My son is shark crazy, so the moment I see a book with sharks on the cover I am on instant alert! This is one that I cannot wait to read with him because it is set in Papau New Guinea and introduces the wonderful culture to the reader.
Published February 25, 2021 by Usborne
Check out The Shark Caller on Amazon
Julia and the
Shark
By Kiran Millwood Hargrave
Illustrated by Tom de Freston
This book looks fantastic and top on my list to read.
Again it grabbed my attention due to my shark crazy 6-year old son, but I soon realized he is too young to read it. However the story sounds so different and intriguing, and the illustrations (some using transparent paper) are remarkable.
Published September 2, 2021 by Orion Children’s Publishing
Check out Julia and the Shark on Amazon
The Hatmakers
By Tamzin Merchant
Illustrated by Paola Escobar
I have been oggling this one for some time…looks so imaginative with wonderful illustrations by Paola Escobar.
Published February 2, 2021 by Norton Young Readers
Check out The Hatmakers on Amazon
Pages & Co
the Book
Smugglers
By Anna James
Illustrated by Marco Guadalupi
Of all the series out there this is one of the most interesting to me, and for good reason! A modern book that brings children’s classics into the narrative! This is the fourth in the series. It looks so good!
Published December 14, 2021 by Philomel Books
Check out Pages & Co: The Book Smugglers on Amazon
Indigo Wilde
and the Creatures at
Jellybean
Crescent
By Pippa Curnick
I thought I was done with my list when I came across this book. It is Wilde (ha ha!… ahem). Fun illustrations throughout and the story looks zany and engaging.
Published December 14, 2021 by Hodder Children’s Books
Check out Indigo Wilde and the Creatures at Jellybean Crescent on Amazon
Star Wars
The High
Republic
Series
A Test of Courage by Justina Ireland
Race to Crashpoint Tower by Daniel Jose Older
Illustrated by Petur Antonsson
This series is brand new and so cool! Although I was skeptical at first, (because I wasn’t sure characters that we hadn’t met in the movies, Clone Wars or Rebels would hold my son’s interest), my son really gravitated toward the well-written characters and the story. We have only read A Test of Courage so far and are about to read Race to Crashpoint Tower. The illustrations are full page full color but very sparse, only 3 or 4 illustrated pages per book, but they are nonetheless engaging enough to guide my 6-year old’s attention throughout the novel.
Check out A Test of Courage on Amazon (Published January 5, 2021 by Disney LucasFilm Press)
Check out Race to Crashpoint Tower on Amazon (Published June 29, 2021 by Disney LucasFilm Press)
Big Announcement!!! Next out in the series (March 1, 2022!!): Mission to Disaster by Justina Ireland