March brings the start of spring and Women’s History Month—an ideal time to celebrate the many ways women have shaped children’s literature. In honor of the month, we’re spotlighting remarkable women authors and illustrators whose powerful stories and creativity inspire, educate, and uplift young readers.
With so many incredible women on our own team, it always feels especially meaningful to highlight these talented female creators whose works you can explore every day in the books we offer.
Let's begin with Debby Rahmahlia, the immensely talented artist whose enchanting illustrations brought the new nursery rhyme series, Read to me: Little Lullabies, to life. Her artwork is a showcase of diversity and inclusivity, which you can see more of in titles like Getting Ready for Preschool and Getting Ready for Kindergarten.
Courtney Dicmas enlivens early learning concepts from shapes and colors to mealtime and bedtime with her Wild! series. Through quirky, engaging animal illustrations in vibrant colors and an expressive style, her books bring humor to every day learning.
JaNay Brown-Wood, through her works such as Too-Small Tyson / Tyson, el pequeñito and Grandma's Tiny House, cleverly weaves counting and math concepts into engaging stories. As an author and educator, her books celebrates family, diversity, community, and curiosity.
Audrey Penn addresses the challenging topic of separation anxiety in her much beloved book, The Kissing Hand. This heartwarming story of Chester the raccoon has become a great resource for children, parents, caretakers, and educators to navigate situations such as starting school, entering daycare, or going to camp.
Gaia Cornwall is an author-illustrator known for heartfelt picture books that explore courage, curiosity, and the magic in everyday moments. Her books Jabari Jumps and Jabari Tries, have become staff favorites here at AAB for their warm takes on overcoming fear and persevering.
Monique Gray Smith is an advocate for Indigenous voices in literature that brings stories that celebrate diversity and cultural heritage. Her books, like When We Are Kind, My Heart Fills with Happiness, You Hold Me Up, and I Hope effortlessly blend joy and tradition, providing young readers with a window into Indigenous cultures. Smith's writing embodies the spirit of connection and gratitude, sparking important conversations about empathy and understanding.
Each of these authors brings a unique voice and perspective that enriches our selection of titles at All About Books. We invite you to spend some time exploring the worlds created by these inspiring women. Visit the All About Books website to discover even more titles by talented female authors and illustrators—stories we’re proud to celebrate and support during Women’s History Month and all year long. Happy reading!