The Big Red Book of Beginner Books

P. D. Eastman was an author-illustrator who created many children’s books, including Are You My Mother?, Go, Dog. Go!, and The Best Nest. Trained at the National Academy of Design, he enlisted in the army in 1943 and was assigned to the Signal Corps Film Unit—which was headed by Theodor Geisel, who would eventually become known to the world as Dr. Seuss. After Geisel later approached him to write for his new Beginner Book series at Random House, Eastman published his first book, Sam and the Firefly. Since then, Random House has sold more than 30 million books by P. D. Eastman, and he has become one of the most beloved children’s book authors in the world. 

Al Perkins was the author of several Bright and Early Books and Beginner Books, among them Hand, Hand, Fingers, Thumb; and The Ear Book. Perkins passed away in 1975. 

Robert Lopshire wrote and illustrated the Beginner Books Put Me in the Zoo, I Want to Be Somebody New!, and New Tracks I Can Do!  He died in 2002.

Joan Heilbroner is best known for her first book, Robert the Rose Horse, which was published in 1961. Acquired by Dr. Seuss when he was editor of Beginner Books, it has been in print for more than 50 years. Her inspiration to write A Pet Named Sneaker came from her grandchildren, Quentin and Katrina, and their talented pet snake, Plato. A graduate of Columbia University, Ms. Heilbroner worked as a school librarian until her retirement.  

Marilyn Sadler has been writing and illustrating children's books for 20 years. Her work has received many honors, including an IRA Classroom Choice Award and a Parents’ Choice Award. She lives in Ohio.