Children's Author of the Week: Jan Brett

by emma ugarelli

Children's Book Author of the Week: Jan BrettBringing Stories to Life Through Art, Animals, and ImaginationThere are children's books that tell us a story, and then there are children's books that invite us to step inside the story.
The books of Jan Brett do just that.
Jan Brett is an American author and illustrator whose beautifully detailed picture books have delighted generations of young readers. She has more than 44 million books in print, and her illustrations are an important part of what makes her work so distinctive.
From snowy landscapes and woodland animals to colorful villages and distant lands, Brett creates worlds where children can stop, look closely, and discover something new.
 A Love of ArtJan Brett knew from an early age that she wanted to become an illustrator. As a child, she spent much of her time reading and drawing. Later, while attending the Boston Museum School, she spent many hours studying art at the Museum of Fine Arts.
That love of art can be seen throughout her books.
Her illustrations are filled with details that encourage children to slow down and observe. Sometimes the borders around the main story contain little clues or scenes that add another layer to what is happening.
For young children, this can turn reading into an active experience:
Look. Notice. Wonder. Predict. Discover.
Travel as InspirationOne of the fascinating things about Jan Brett's work is the way she brings different places and traditions into her stories.
Travel has been an important source of inspiration for her. She and her husband have visited different countries, researching architecture and costumes that later appear in her illustrations.
This gives children an opportunity to encounter different landscapes, traditions, animals, and visual details while enjoying a story.
For me, this is one of the beautiful possibilities of children's literature: a book can become a little window into another world.
 A Beloved Classic: The MittenOne of Jan Brett's best-known books is The Mitten, a winter story in which a lost mitten becomes a warm shelter for a growing collection of woodland animals.
The story is simple, playful, and full of opportunities for children to participate.
Who will arrive next?
Will there be room for another animal?
What do you think will happen?
These questions encourage children to predict, observe, count, remember, and imagine while they listen to the story.
 More Books to DiscoverThe Mitten is only one of many books created by Jan Brett.
Children and families can also explore:
The Hat — another story featuring Hedgie, the little hedgehog, and a very unusual hat.
The Three Snow Bears — Brett's Arctic take on the familiar Goldilocks story.
Daisy Comes Home — a story inspired by China and the travels of Brett and her family.
Hedgie's Surprise — a story set in Denmark featuring Hedgie and a little Tomten.
Gingerbread Friends — a snowy story about friendship and finding companionship.
The Wild Christmas Reindeer — a winter tale inspired by Scandinavian visual traditions.
These books show how Brett moves between different settings, seasons, animals, and traditions while maintaining her distinctive artistic style.
 A Little Thought for Young ReadersOne of the things I appreciate about Jan Brett's books is that they don't ask children only to listen to the words.
They invite children to look.
Look at the borders.
Look at the animals.
Look at the setting.
Look for clues.
And perhaps most importantly:
Imagine what might happen next.
That is an important part of reading.
A picture book can become much more than a story when we give children time to observe, question, predict, and create their own ideas.
Let's Create!After reading one of Jan Brett's books, invite your child to create a world of their own.
Draw a winter landscape, a forest, or an imaginary place.
Add animals.
Add details.
Then ask:
What is happening in your picture?
What might happen next?
There is no single right answer. The goal is to let imagination lead the way.
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 Discover Jan Brett
This week at Emma's Place, take a closer look at the wonderful world of Jan Brett.
Start with The Mitten, explore another of her stories, and most importantly, look closely at the illustrations.
You never know what you might discover!
Read. Look. Imagine. Wonder. Create.
That is where the magic of a children's book begins.