Bill Martin Jr.

Discover the joyful, rhythmic magic of Bill Martin Jr. (1916–2004), the American author whose picture books have introduced millions of young children to the pleasure of language, pattern, and reading. Martin had a gift for creating irresistible, musical texts that children love to chant, repeat, and memorise — books that make the act of reading feel like play. His most beloved book, Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? (1967), illustrated by Eric Carle, is one of the best-selling children’s books of all time and a staple of every nursery and early years classroom. Its simple, repetitive structure and bold, colourful illustrations make it the perfect first book for very young children. His other classics include Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear?, Panda Bear, Panda Bear, What Do You See?, and the alphabet favourite Chicka Chicka Boom Boom (co-authored with John Archambault). Timeless, joyful, and utterly essential.