Eerdmans Books for Young Readers is the proud publisher of fantastic authors and illustrators. Together we have won such prestigious awards as the Batchelder and Caldecott awards, placed many books on national and state reading lists, and touched the minds and hearts of children around the world.

Find out more about these talented men and women we like to call our own.

About Our Authors and Illustrators

Get to know Joy Cowley 

Though today she is known worldwide as a prolific writer, Joy Cowley started out as a slow reader. Not only did she struggle to read—she struggled to find a reason to read as she was taught a “meaningless system of fragmented language.”

Those struggles were the very thing that eventually launched Cowley’s remarkable career. As an advocate for beginning readers, slow readers, and ESL readers, Cowley has made it her mission to share the joy of story through children’s books. Since the 1970s, she has published countless for children (and also several novels for adults), and she has also served as an editor for other literary projects, including the Trade Winds series.

The Trade Winds books are an innovative expression of Cowley’s vision: they use engaging stories to introduce young readers to the world of global economy and culture. Readers can follow Wong Chung along the Silk Road in Father’s Road, melt gold into the earliest coins with Laos in Lion, King, and Coin, and move to the big, booming city with Charlie in Leather Shoe Charlie. Designed specifically for classroom use, these books feature excellent back matter and supplementary material for dynamic lesson plans.

For Our Authors and Illustrators

If you already publish your children's book or young adult literature with us or are hoping to publish with us, please visit our special “For Authors” page

Eerdmans.com offers a number supplemental materials and resources perfect for parents, teachers, librarians, home-schoolers, and, of course, young readers.