Authors and Illustrators
3/30/2026 | 1m 4sVideo has Closed Captions
This activity highlights the work that an author and illustrator do to build appreciation.
This activity helps children appreciate a book by identifying the author and illustrator, and explaining what they do. After reading a book, have the child choose another by the same author or illustrator. As you read the second book together, talk about what is similar between the two. Noticing the people who make books gives children a new way to explore stories and discover a favorite creator.
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Learning to Read is a local public television program presented by WNPT
Funding for LEARNING TO READ is provided by the Dollar General Literacy Foundation
Authors and Illustrators
3/30/2026 | 1m 4sVideo has Closed Captions
This activity helps children appreciate a book by identifying the author and illustrator, and explaining what they do. After reading a book, have the child choose another by the same author or illustrator. As you read the second book together, talk about what is similar between the two. Noticing the people who make books gives children a new way to explore stories and discover a favorite creator.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
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Providing Support for PBS.org
Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship- You like reading these "Pout-Pout Fish" books by Deborah Diesen, right?
- [Child] Yeah.
- A long time ago, when Mr.
Fish was very small... - Your child may love books and not know why.
Maybe they enjoy the story, the characters, or the pictures.
Help them appreciate how books are made by pointing out the people behind them.
Explain that an author is the person who writes the words, and an illustrator is the person who draws the pictures.
Some books are made by one person who does both.
- What does the author do?
- Writes the words.
- [Parent] Yes, and what does the illustrator do?
- Draws the pictures.
- [Parent] Awesome.
- [Instructor] When you finish, have your child choose another book by the same author or illustrator.
- You like the pictures on this page, mhm?
- [Instructor] As you read the second book, talk about what feels similar.
Noticing the people who make books gives kids a new way to explore stories and help them discover a favorite creator.
- [Narrator] Sponsored by the Dollar General Literacy Foundation, helping build literary skills and encouraging parents and children to spend 20 minutes a day reading together.
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Learning to Read is a local public television program presented by WNPT
Funding for LEARNING TO READ is provided by the Dollar General Literacy Foundation