Who Are Your #LiteraryCrushes?

Bad Kitty Goes to the Vet – Nick Bruel totally captured what it’s like when your kitty needs to get a tooth pulled! (Blinkey had two pulled last year! He was not a happy kitty…),

And Deborah Underwood for this line from Here Comes Valentine Cat:

KATYA’S LITERARY CRUSHES

Sui Ishida & Noelle Stevenson 

Tokyo Ghoul
I’m a huge fan of manga, but am extremely picky when it comes to the art style. Ishida’s illustrations for the young adult (seinen) manga Tokyo Ghoul series are hauntingly beautiful, expressive and like no other mangaka’s style.

Nimona
Not only has Noelle’s amazing, simplistic illustrations captured the hearts of graphic novel fans, but her writing style is a unique, to the point and ‘tough love’ kind of writing that many kids and teens can relate to. Her dedication is: ‘To all the monster girls’, which truly speaks from the heart.

KASSIA’S LITERARY CRUSH

Neil Gaiman

The Graveyard Book
My literary crush is Neil Gaiman. I started reading his comic, The Sandman, when I was a pre-teen. I was really drawn to the dark characters and the life lessons wrapped in an atypical package. Although I love Neil’s dark material, I do find his picture book and middle grade titles to be fun and appealing. I love that he doesn’t stick to one theme or type of character. I especially adore him for the creation of the Chu series. Chu is an adorable little panda with a powerful sneeze. This book got Neil into a bit of trouble with the Chinese government. They thought Chu was incorrigible! Almost everyone at KidLit TV knows I am obsessed with pandas. Fortunately, the Milk is a fantastical and philosophical ride for the mind. Who knew getting milk could be such an adventure? To top off my literary crush on Neil; this past holiday I was graciously gifted a signed first edition copy of the Newbery Medal-winning The Graveyard Book. Swoon!

KRISTIN’S LITERARY CRUSHES

Dan Yaccarino & April Chu

Boy + Bot
Artists fascinate me. I can barely draw a stick figure so I’m impressed with all illustrators. But, I have to admit, I ♥ Dan Yaccarino’s simple, bright illustrations! Who doesn’t?

In a Village by the Sea
It’s fun to discover new talent, too. I noticed newcomer April Chu in In a Village by the Sea. I’m watching her to see what awesome book she collaborates on next!

MARCIE COLLEEN’S LITERARY CRUSH

Mac Barnett

Leo A Ghost Story
It’s definitely not easy to choose just one. But I am going to say right now I am crushing on Mac Barnett for his versatility as an author. No matter whether he is writing fiction or nonfiction, quiet realism or frenzied fantasy, all of his stories have one thing in common–quality. The Mac Barnett brand is high quality storytelling.

LAUREL’S LITERARY CRUSHES

Pamela Zagarenski & Helen Frost

The Whisper
Pamela Zagarenski. I could stare at the pages of The Whisper for hours and never get bored. It perfectly captures the world of imagination.

Hidden – I’m completely smitten with Helen Frost. She writes novels in verse! VERSE! Her use of language and craft is extraordinary, and the stories and characters are accessible and engaging. In her novel, Hidden she creates her own poetry form that hides a hidden message and will make you want to read the entire thing again.

CONNECT WITH:

Sophie Blackhall

Website | @SophieBlackall | Facebook

Nick Bruel

Website | @nickbruel | Facebook

Sui Ishida

Website | @sotonami | Facebook

Noelle Stevenson

Website | @Gingerhazing | Facebook

Neil Gaiman

Website | @neilhimself

Dan Yaccarino

Website | @DanYaccarino1 | Facebook

April Chu

Website | @AprilChuART | Facebook

Mac Barnett

Website | @macbarnett | Instagram

Pamela Zagarenski

Website | @Sacredbeez | Facebook

Helen Frost

Website | Facebook