Jill McDonald — Teacher's Choice Author 2026

Jill McDonald is one of roughly one hundred authors whose work was selected by the Montessori-certified teachers at Creative Minds Montessori for the 2026 Teacher’s Choice list — 120 books chosen across four reading stages, from first lap-reads to first chapter books. The selected book was chosen for how precisely it meets children at a real developmental moment. This recognition cannot be bought: no author or publisher paid to appear on our lists, and we take no commission on any book sale.

About Jill McDonald

Jill McDonald is the author and illustrator of the best-selling early learning series Hello, World! She graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design with a degree in Textiles and worked as a print stylist at Gap Inc. and then as an illustrator and surface designer at Hallmark before starting her own design studio in 2004.

Also by this author: Hello, World! Weather · Hello, World! Dinosaurs · Hello, World! Ocean Life

Official website: www.jillmcdonalddesign.com

Selected for the 2026 Teacher’s Choice list

Hello, World! Solar System The Why-Askers · How the World Works

Part of The Best Children’s Books by Age, chosen by the teachers at Creative Minds Montessori in Frisco, TX.

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  <p style="margin:0;font-size:14.5px;line-height:1.55;color:#333;">The Montessori teachers at Creative Minds selected <em>Hello, World! Solar System</em> for their 2026 Teacher&rsquo;s Choice list &mdash; <a href="https://creativemindsmontessori.com/parenting/authors/jill-mcdonald/" style="color:#66853a;font-weight:600;">read their review</a>.</p>
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<p>The Montessori teachers at <a href="https://creativemindsmontessori.com/parenting/authors/jill-mcdonald/">Creative Minds Montessori</a> selected <em>Hello, World! Solar System</em> as one of their 120 Teacher&rsquo;s Choice books for 2026.</p>