Leslie Patricelli
Recognized in the Creative Minds Montessori 2026 Teacher’s Choice list.
Leslie Patricelli 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. Their 2 selected books were chosen for how precisely they meet 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 Leslie Patricelli
Leslie Patricelli writes and illustrates board books about opposites — Yummy Yucky, Big Little, Quiet Loud — following one diapered protagonist through life's small contradictions, in a bold graphic style.
The character came from her son Beck, who at one year old was constantly putting everything in his mouth. 'I found myself saying "Yummy!" and "Yucky!" all the time,' she has said. 'I began to draw a baby dramatically expressing his taste or distaste for the things he was eating. The idea of Yummy Yucky was born!'
Also by this author: Quiet Loud · Big Little · Tubby
Official website: www.lesliepatricelli.com
Selected for the 2026 Teacher’s Choice list
Part of The Best Children’s Books by Age, chosen by the teachers at Creative Minds Montessori in Frisco, TX.