Greatest Children’s Writers of all time – Everyone has memories of their favourite children’s book. Whether it’s the first they read alone or one your parents read with you, there are stories that stick with us throughout the years.

Some of the best children’s stories are one-hit wonders but there are a handful of authors who have produced classic after classic, as enjoyable now as they were for children centuries ago. Everyone has their favourite children’s author, but some come up time and again for very good reason. Here we’re looking at some indisputable names on the list of the greatest children’s writers of all time.

Greatest Children’s Writers of all time

Roald Dahl

Starting a list of the greatest children’s writers can only begin with one person – Roald Dahl. A magician with words and someone who has permeated every child’s reading in the last 50+ years, his books and imaginary worlds are unforgettable. Over 250m copies of his books have been sold worldwide and storytellers for children simply do not get any better. Roald Dahl’s books often poke fun at adults and put children in narrating roles, making them particularly fun and enjoyable for kids of all ages. His most recognisable titles include the BFG, Matilda, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and The Twits. Many of these classics have been made into stage shows, TV adaptations and films. Netflix has even just gained the rights to Roald Dahl Story Company, so many more adaptations of these children’s classics are guaranteed.

Lewis Carroll

Charles Lutwidge Dodgson better known as Lewis Carroll created the new genre of “literary nonsense” and changed the direction children’s literature moved. The creator of the unforgettable Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass, his fun and playful approach to literature was a breath of fresh air in the 19th century. Most children’s literature at the time had a religious tinge or was all about morals and manners, Carroll on the other hand put fun in the centre of everything. His mixture of fantasy and real-life paved the way for other fantastical characters such as Harry Potter. First published in 1865, Carroll’s works are still enjoyed for the first time by young readers today. 

Enid Blyton

They don’t come much more quintessentially English than Enid Blyton and her characters have stayed with many of us for decades. Over 600m copies of her books have been sold worldwide and they have also been translated into 90 languages. Noddy is one of her most famous characters, first penned in 1949 and bringing fun to families ever since this date. She is also much loved for her fun-filled The Famous Five and The Secret Seven stories which many children grow up reading. Much like Dahl, Blyton lets the kids take centre stage and captures the imagination of young audiences this way.

Dr Seuss

Theodor Seuss Geisel wasn’t really a doctor, but he remains a world-famous illustrator and children’s author. He chose to go by “Dr Seuss” to honour his father who always hoped he’d become a doctor. Hilarious, thought-provoking, and packed with quotes which are just as valuable in later life as in childhood. His most famous titles include The Cat in the Hat, Green Eggs and Ham and How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Many of his characters have appeared in TV and film and the Seussical is just one of many musical theatre shows which take inspiration from his fantastic worlds and great imagination.

Eric Carle

Sadly passing in May this year, Eric Carle brought joy to children for decades, creating and sharing his characters into his final days. His illustrative style is most recognisable in the unforgettable The Very Hungry Caterpillar. His same unique style can be seen in all his other books too with Brown Bear, Brown Bear What Do You See? and The Mixed-Up Chameleon also using the hand-painted collage effect which readers of all ages know and love. The bold designs combined with simple phrasing make the books perfect for reading to younger children.

Neil Gaiman

The king of the fantasy genre, Neil Gaiman’s imaginary worlds are at the heart of many people’s childhoods. He’s known for his comics as well as his books and his famous novel Coraline has been adapted for stage as well as screen. Other classics from his collection include The Sandman, The Graveyard Book and American Gods. He has a real cult following as well as bringing an unpredictable and fun edge to any storytime. His works are compared to a modern version of Lewis Carroll and once you get stuck into one of his fantasies it’s clear to see why.

Julia Donaldson

Former Children’s Laureate from 2011 to 2013, Julia Donaldson is a favourite with parents and children alike. Many children’s first story is one from her ever-growing collection from The Gruffalo to What the Ladybird Heard and A Squash and a Squeeze to The Highway Rat. Julia Donaldson TV adaptations have become Christmas classics for many families too. Still writing, even older children look forward to the next release from Julia Donaldson as her fun rhymes and unforgettable characters still capture the imagination and are great fun.

Dame Jacqueline Wilson

No preteen girl reaches 13 without devouring at least one Dame Jacqueline Wilson novel. With over 70 titles to her name, Wilson is also a former Children’s Laureate from 2005 to 2007 and received a damehood in 2007 too. Tracy Beaker and Hetty Feather are probably her most famous characters, but she is well-known for creating novels set in real-life situations many young readers can relate to. She doesn’t stay away from tricky topics including bereavement, divorce and young love. Children find it easy to relate to her young narrators and put themselves into their shoes.

Allan Ahlberg

Allan Ahlberg and his wife Janet collaborated on a wide range of popular picture books, many of which you’ll find on most children’s bookshelves. Their stories have a comic-like feel and take inspiration from memorable nursery rhyme characters and other classic stories. Allan and Janet became one of the most recognisable British children’s author pairings as their works include Burglar Bill, The Jolly Postman and Each Peach, Pear, Plum. The illustrations in Ahlberg’s books are immediately recognisable and take many parents back to their own childhoods.

Is your favourite children’s author amongst our list? Everyone has their own memories, but we believe these lot top the list due to the enduring nature of their stories and unique style. Introduce your children to the magic of storytelling on stage with any of the family productions at Blackpool Grand.

Discover more and book for any of the Children’s productions at Blackpool’s Grand