The Children’s Authors That Made Lasting Impacts: Mait’s Greats

With the recent passing of Eric Carle, I got thinking about all of the various authors that not only got many of us starting to read in general but truly sparked a passion in others.

Eric Carle Passes Away At 91 Years Old

If you don't recognize the name, what if I said "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" or "Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?"

Eric Carle really showed us major themes in our lives from very young ages with his sing-songy style of writing, colorful illustrations and spirit you could feel through those sturdy pages.

According to MLive, his family says Carle passed Sunday at his summer studio in
Massachusetts. He had family members by his side and now has a whole world of readers with him in spirit.

Authors Who Impacted Us The Same Way

There are countless children's authors out there and I know I absolutely cannot wait to see who becomes next to join the ranks of major authors that have had immense impacts on reading communities and children around the world.

Why These Authors Matter To Me, Specifically

I was honestly the biggest readers growing up and would escape into whatever world I was put in for hours, often times staying up so late and reading in the dark I would constantly have sties in my eyes from straining them (at least that's what my mom said).

Reading books like "Junie B. Jones" and "Ramona and Beezus" showed me just how fun being a kid was. It showed there were kids out there that had the same heart, the same spirit as myself and the kids I interacted with every day.

Shel Silverstein's work sticks with me to this day. As a kid, they're fun, silly little poems and they grow with you into adulthood as they become more poignant and take on different meanings.

Lastly, "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" still will make me cry every time I read it to myself, my little cousins, anyone. My dad used to read it to me every single night and I still chuckle at the way he used to say "BEAUTIFUL BUTTERFLY" at the very end.

These authors all hold a special place in my heart and it is so sad to think most of them have moved on to their next life. I hope they somehow know and take pride in the fact their work still is making such important moments for people.