📖 Overview
Liz Garton Scanlon is an American children's book author known for her lyrical picture books and poetry. Her most acclaimed work is "All the World," a Caldecott Honor Book illustrated by Marla Frazee, which was published in 2009.
Scanlon has written numerous other picture books including "Think Big," "In the Canyon," and "The Good-Pie Party." Her work frequently explores themes of nature, family connections, and everyday moments through rhythmic, poetic language.
Beyond writing books, Scanlon serves as a faculty member at Vermont College of Fine Arts in the MFA program for Writing for Children and Young Adults. She regularly speaks at schools, libraries and conferences about writing and children's literature.
Her published works span multiple genres within children's literature, from board books to middle-grade novels. Notable titles include "Another Way to Climb a Tree," "Kate, Who Tamed the Wind," and her middle-grade novel "The Great Good Summer."
👀 Reviews
Readers praise Scanlon's rhythmic writing style and ability to capture small moments in accessible ways for young children. Parents frequently mention how her books engage their kids through read-aloud qualities and relatable situations.
"All the World" receives particular acclaim for its poetic text that resonates with both children and adults. One reader noted: "The simple yet profound messages about connection and community stay with you."
Readers appreciate:
- Musical language that makes reading aloud enjoyable
- Positive messages without being preachy
- Celebration of everyday experiences
- Strong child appeal through relatable scenarios
Common criticisms:
- Some books considered too simple or short for the price point
- Plot can feel sparse in service of poetic elements
- Text occasionally too abstract for youngest readers
Ratings averages:
Goodreads: 4.2/5 (across all titles)
Amazon: 4.5/5
"All the World": 4.7/5 (2,000+ ratings)
"Think Big": 4.3/5 (300+ ratings)
📚 Books by Liz Garton Scanlon
All the World
A poetic day-in-the-life story following a diverse group of people as they experience the interconnectedness of nature, family, and community.
Think Big A picture book about a group of children putting on a production of "The Owl and the Pussycat" at school.
In the Canyon A child's journey through a canyon, observing the natural environment and geological features.
The Good-Pie Party A story about friends who throw a pie-making party to cope with one friend moving away.
Another Way to Climb a Tree A tale about a nature-loving girl who finds new ways to connect with trees when she becomes sick.
Kate, Who Tamed the Wind The story of a girl who helps her elderly neighbor solve his wind problem by planting trees.
The Great Good Summer A middle-grade novel about a girl named Ivy who embarks on a journey to find her missing mother.
Think Big A picture book about a group of children putting on a production of "The Owl and the Pussycat" at school.
In the Canyon A child's journey through a canyon, observing the natural environment and geological features.
The Good-Pie Party A story about friends who throw a pie-making party to cope with one friend moving away.
Another Way to Climb a Tree A tale about a nature-loving girl who finds new ways to connect with trees when she becomes sick.
Kate, Who Tamed the Wind The story of a girl who helps her elderly neighbor solve his wind problem by planting trees.
The Great Good Summer A middle-grade novel about a girl named Ivy who embarks on a journey to find her missing mother.
👥 Similar authors
Joyce Sidman writes nature-focused children's poetry books that capture small moments and natural phenomena through lyrical language. She has won multiple awards including the Newbery Honor for her poetry collections and specializes in combining scientific observation with poetic form.
April Pulley Sayre creates picture books that blend scientific concepts with rhythmic, poetic text. Her photography-based books about natural phenomena and her lyrical exploration of everyday observations mirror Scanlon's attention to detail and wonder.
Pat Zietlow Miller writes picture books focused on community connections and finding meaning in ordinary moments. Her work includes similar themes of family bonds and emotional resonance that appear throughout Scanlon's books.
Julie Fogliano crafts picture books with spare, poetic text that captures childhood experiences and observations of the natural world. Her writing style employs similar rhythmic patterns and attention to small moments that characterize Scanlon's work.
Carole Boston Weatherford produces picture books that combine poetic language with meaningful themes and historical subjects. She shares Scanlon's faculty position at Vermont College of Fine Arts and similarly emphasizes the musicality of language in children's literature.
April Pulley Sayre creates picture books that blend scientific concepts with rhythmic, poetic text. Her photography-based books about natural phenomena and her lyrical exploration of everyday observations mirror Scanlon's attention to detail and wonder.
Pat Zietlow Miller writes picture books focused on community connections and finding meaning in ordinary moments. Her work includes similar themes of family bonds and emotional resonance that appear throughout Scanlon's books.
Julie Fogliano crafts picture books with spare, poetic text that captures childhood experiences and observations of the natural world. Her writing style employs similar rhythmic patterns and attention to small moments that characterize Scanlon's work.
Carole Boston Weatherford produces picture books that combine poetic language with meaningful themes and historical subjects. She shares Scanlon's faculty position at Vermont College of Fine Arts and similarly emphasizes the musicality of language in children's literature.