Phyllis Root has been writing for children since 1979 and has published more than forty books, most of them picture books.
Her books Aunt Nancy and Old Man Trouble won the Minnesota Picture Book text award, and Big Momma Makes the World won the Boston Globe Horn Book Award. Lucia and the Light was awarded the McKnight Fellowship.
She has been an instructor at the Loft, in the Compleat and Practical Scholar program at the University of Minnesota, and in the MFA Writing for Children program of Vermont College. She currently teaches in Hamline University’s MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults Program.
Minnesota Picture Book Award, 1997
Selected, 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing, New York Public Library
Selected, Children's Literature Choice List, 1997
Honors, Storytelling World Awards, 1997
Shortlist, Primary English Award
Lucia and the Light
Illustrated by Mary GrandPre
(Candlewick Press, 2006)
Looking For a Moose
Illustrated by Randy Cecil
(Candlewick Press, 2006)
Blue Ribbon Winner, Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
Selected, Texas Library Association 2 x 2 Reading List
Selected, Junior Library Guild
The House That Jill Built
Illustrated by Delphine Durand
(Candlewick Press, 2004)
Quack!
Illustrated by Holly Meade
(Candlewick Press, 2005)
Hop!
Illustrated by Holly Meade
(Candlewick Press, 2005)
If You Want to See a Caribou
Illustrated by Jim Meyer
(Houghton Mifflin, 2004)
Finalist, Great Lakes Book Award
Ten Sleepy Sheep
Illustrated by Susan Gaber
(Candlewick Press, 2004)
The Name Quilt
Illustrated by Margot Apple
(Farrar Straus and Giroux, 2003)
Big Momma Makes the World
Illustrated by Helen Oxenbury
(Candlewick Press, 2003)
Boston Globe Horn Book Award
Bank Street College Best Children's Book of the Year
School Library Journal Best Book of the Year
Parenting Best Book of the Year
Kirkus Reviews Editors' Choice
Selected, Horn Book Fanfare
Selected, Children's Literature Choice List
Oliver Finds His Way
Illustrated by Christopher Denise
(Candlewick Press, 2002)
Best Book of the Year, School Library Journal
Platinum Book Award, Oppenheim Toy Portfolio
Selected, Texas Library Association 2 x 2 Reading List
Selected, Junior Library Guild
What's That Noise?
with Michelle Edwards
illustrated by Paul Meisel
(Candlewick Press, 2002)
Soggy Saturday
Illustrated by Helen Craig
A Giggle Club Book
(Candlewick Press, 2001)
Foggy Friday
Illustrated by Helen Craig
A Giggle Club Book
(Candlewick Press, 2000)
Meow Monday
Illustrated by Helen Craig
A Giggle Club Book
(Candlewick Press, 2000)
Turnover Tuesday
Illustrated by Helen Craig
A Giggle Club Book
(Candlewick Press, 1998)
One Windy Wednesday
Illustrated by Helen Craig
A Giggle Club Book
(Candlewick Press, 1996)
Rattletrap Car
Illustrated by Jill Barton
(Candlewick Press, 2001)
Best Children's Book of the Year, Bank Street College
Teacher's Choice, International Reading Association
Editor's Choice, Booklist
Gold Award, Oppenheim Toy Portfolio
Notable Children's Book (Language Arts), National Council of Teachers of English
Master List, Volunteer State Book Awards (Tennessee)
Three additional state awards and/or nominations
All for the Newborn Baby
Illustrated by Nicola Bayley
(Candlewick Press, 2000)
Kiss the Cow!
Illustrated by Will Hillenbrand
(Candlewick Press, 2000)
Grandmother Winter
Illustrated by Beth Krommes
(Houghton Mifflin, 1999)
What Baby Wants
Illustrated by Jill Barton
(Candlewick Press, 1998)
Best Book of the Year, School Library Journal
Best Book of the Year, Parents Magazine
Platinum Award, Oppenheim Toy Portfolio
One Duck Stuck
Illustrated by Jane Chapman
(Candlewick Press, 1998)
Gold Award, Oppenheim Toy Portfolio
Notable Children's Book (Language Arts), National Council of Teachers of English
Best Book of the Year, Parents
Best Book, Children's Book Festival
Rosie's Fiddle
Illustrated by Kevin O'Malley
(Lothrop Lee and Shepherd, 1997)
Mrs. Potter's Pig
Illustrated by Russell Ayto
(Candlewick Press, 1996)
Contrary Bear
Illustrated by Laura Cornell
(HarperCollins, 1996)
The Hungry Monster
Illustrated by Sue Heap
A Giggle Club Book
(Candlewick Press, 1996)
Sam Who Was Swallowed by a Shark
Illustrated by Axel Scheffler
(Candlewick Press, 1994)
Coyote and the Magic Words
Illustrated by Sandra Speidel
(Lothrop Lee and Shepherd, 1993)
The Listening Silence
Illustrated by Dennis McDermott
(Harper and Row, 1992)
The Old Red Rocking Chair
Illustrated by John Sandford
(Arcade Publishing, 1992)
Soup for Supper
Illustrated by Sue Truesdell
(Harper and Row, 1986)
Moon Tiger
Illustrated by Ed Young
(Henry Holt and Company, 1985)
Children's Book of the Year, Child Study Association of America
Selected, New York Public Library's 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing
