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Best Books by Jan Brett: An Author Spotlight and Guide to Her Most Beloved Stories

Byinspirethemom

If you are looking for the best books by Jan Brett, you are in for a treat. When I was in kindergarten many years ago, at the beginning of her career as an author, Jan Brett came to my elementary school, and I watched her sign my copy of Annie and the Wild Animals. Ever since that time, I, along with generations of young readers, have loved her books.

Jan Brett’s picture books are so unique and memorable. With her richly detailed illustrations, you find yourself getting lost in every page.

From the classic The Mitten to the mischievous hedgehog Hedgie in The Hat, Jan Brett has created a world filled with animals, folklore, snowy landscapes, and fascinating cultural details from her travels around the world. Her books are especially popular for family read-alouds, classrooms, libraries, and holiday traditions.

Who is Jan Brett?

If you’ve ever picked up a Jan Brett book, you probably recognize her style right away. Her illustrations are famous for their detailed, decorative borders. Often, the main story unfolds in the center of the page while the borders provide additional clues, humor, or parallel action to the storyline.

She is known for her cozy animal stories and beautiful wintry scenes. Her books often take us to different places and cultures, while her illustrations are filled with little details that make you want to stop and look at every page.

Jan Brett wrote and illustrated many of her own books, while also retelling and illustrating classic stories and providing illustrations for books written by other authors.

Jan Brett has been writing for decades. And from looking at her site, I think her most recent book is a creative rendition titled Alice in a Winter Wonderland, published in 2024.

Here is our guide to the best books by Jan Brett, including beloved classics, winter favorites, and a few wonderful titles that deserve a place on every child’s bookshelf.

Best Books by Jan Brett

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We are going to start with my top ten Jan Brett books, then follow up with a list of her Christmas-themed books, her retold classics, her illustrated works, and then a list of remaining titles that you won’t want to miss.

1. The Mitten

The Mitten is probably the most well-known Jan Brett book and a terrific story to start with if you are new to her work. In this book, a little boy loses one of his new mittens in the snow. Before long, animals begin to squeeze inside to stay warm. It’s simple, short, funny, and one of those books little ones seem to love hearing over and over.

2. Annie and the Wild Animals

As I mentioned before, this was my first Jan Brett story, and it was a favorite! If you’ve got an animal lover in your family, they will truly enjoy this story. Annie’s cat, Taffy, goes missing. After this, she goes on a quest to find a new animal friend by leaving out treats in hopes that a new animal will come visit. The animals come, but things don’t turn out quite as she planned…

3. The Hat

The Hat follows Hedgie the hedgehog after he gets one of Lisa’s wool stockings stuck on his back. At first, the other animals make fun of him for it, but Hedgie turns their opinions around. Before long, all the animals are wearing Lisa’s laundry on their heads. This is the perfect silly story, and my kids always get a good giggle from reading this one!

4. Fritz and the Beautiful Horses

Fritz and the Beautiful Horses is probably my favorite Jan Brett book of all time. It follows a little pony who desperately wants to be one of the beautiful horses in the royal stable. He doesn’t end up being one of the prettiest horses, but he becomes known for his gentle and dependable character. I think this one has such a strong, sweet message about being valuable for who you are rather than trying to be something you’re not. And I love that it fosters the idea that character is more important than looks.

5. Mossy

Mossy is a sweet story about a turtle who grows a stunning garden on her shell. She is whisked away to a museum but isn’t happy. She misses her home and her friends. Dr. Carolina and his niece find a way to display her unique shell at the museum and let her return home. (Such a sweet read.)

6. The Snowy Nap

The Snowy Nap brings Hedgie back for another winter adventure in Denmark. It’s cozy, snowy, and just right for a quiet afternoon when you want to curl up with a good picture book. If your child already loves The Hat, I’d definitely introduce them to this one. Hedgie fans will have a hard time resisting another story with their favorite little hedgehog.

7. Goldilocks and the Three Bears

This book is Jan Brett’s beautifully illustrated take on the classic fairy tale. Goldilocks wanders into the bears’ home, samples their porridge, tries their chairs and beds, and eventually gets caught. I think this is a great choice for younger kids because the story is already familiar, but Brett’s detailed artwork makes it extra fun to explore.

8. Town Mouse and Country Mouse

Town Mouse and Country Mouse is a sweet retelling of the classic fable about two mice who discover that life in the country and life in the city each have their own perks. I like this one for kids who enjoy stories about animals but are also starting to understand that people can have very different ideas about what makes a good life.

9. The Night Before Christmas

The Night Before Christmas is Jan Brett’s beautifully illustrated version of Clement C. Moore’s beloved Christmas poem. Our favorite Christmas Eve read-aloud! If you’re looking for a book that feels like a true holiday keepsake, this is a lovely one to have on the shelf!

10. Gingerbread Baby

This is another one that I loved as a child! Gingerbread Baby is Jan Brett’s fun take on the runaway gingerbread story, with a snowy Swiss setting and a little gingerbread character who’s determined to stay one step ahead. This is one I’d definitely keep in the Christmas and winter book pile. It’s cheerful, fast-moving, and the illustrations make it especially cozy to read together. You might even feel inspired to make some gingerbread cookies when you are done!

Christmas Books by Jan Brett

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Classic Stories Retold and Illustrated by Jan Brett

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Some of Jan Brett’s books are her retellings of classic tales. I’ve tried to attribute each one to its appropriate source.

Books Illustrated by Jan Brett (Authored by Others)

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Other Books by Jan Brett

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Jan Brett wrote many other wonderful stories! I saw, in one of the videos on her site, that she loved hedgehogs and even hid them in some of her illustrations. That would explain all the wonderful Hedgie the hedgehog books she wrote!

Why Are Jan Brett’s Books So Popular?

There are several reasons Jan Brett’s books continue to resonate with families.

  • Her illustrations invite children to slow down. A Brett illustration can contain an enormous amount of visual information. Children may notice something new each time they return to a familiar book. Her decorative borders are especially important. They often show another part of the story, foreshadow what is about to happen, or simply give readers another small adventure to discover.
  • Her stories draw on folklore and tradition. Many of Brett’s books are inspired by traditional stories and cultural settings. 
  • Her books are excellent for read-alouds. Repetition, animal characters, humor, suspense, and memorable visual details make many Jan Brett stories particularly well suited to reading aloud.
  • There is something for every season. Jan Brett has an especially strong collection of winter and Christmas books, but she also offers stories for other seasons and holidays as well.

Other Notable Resources by Jan Brett for Kids

Jan Brett also has a website (janbrett.com ) where she shares TONS of free coloring pages, craft ideas, and videos for kids. After spending some time on her website looking at her resources and watching her videos, it’s obvious that she loves what she does. My kids really enjoyed coloring her Hedgie the Hedgehog pictures!

Appreciation for Books by Jan Brett

The best books by Jan Brett aren’t simply beautiful picture books. They are books that encourage children to look, listen, wonder, and return for another reading.

In a world inundated by AI art, it is so refreshing to admire the work of a true artist. Where the details of her life, family, interests, and travels are incorporated into the beautifully illustrated pages of every book.

I hope this author spotlight of Jan Brett has encouraged you to collect some of her books for your home library and share them with your kids and grandkids. Her stories will introduce them to animals, folklore, traditions, and faraway places, while her extraordinarily detailed artwork turns every page into something worth exploring.

Don’t be surprised if your child wants to go back and look at the borders all over again or find the hidden pictures—that’s part of the magic of Jan Brett.

Frequently Asked Questions About Jan Brett and Her Books

1. What is Jan Brett’s most popular book?

The Mitten is one of Jan Brett’s most beloved and recognizable books. Its simple animal story, snowy setting, and detailed illustrations make it a favorite for read-alouds and a great introduction to her work.

2. What age are Jan Brett books best for?

Most Jan Brett picture books are ideal for preschool and elementary-age children, with many working especially well for ages 3 to 8. Younger kids can enjoy the animals and illustrations, while older children can follow the stories and discover more details.

3. What are the best books by Jan Brett?

If you’re just getting started, I’d recommend The Mitten, The Hat, Annie and the Wild Animals, Fritz and the Beautiful Horses, and The Three Snow Bears. For the holidays, The Wild Christmas Reindeer, Gingerbread Baby, and The Night Before Christmas are wonderful choices.

4. What is Jan Brett known for?

Jan Brett is known for her beautifully detailed children’s books featuring animals, winter settings, fairy tales, folktales, and stories inspired by different cultures and places. Her bordered illustrations are especially loved for all the little details that give children something new to notice with every reading.

Need Good Reading Material? Check out these other Booklists

What is your favorite Jan Brett Book?

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