Lisa Mantchev — Teacher's Choice Author 2026

Lisa Mantchev 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 Lisa Mantchev

Lisa Mantchev writes whimsical picture books and young-adult fantasy from Washington State; Strictly No Elephants, her picture-book debut, was embraced by educators worldwide as the gentlest available lesson on inclusion.

Also by this author: Someday, Narwhal · Remarkables

Official website: lisamantchev.com

Selected for the 2026 Teacher’s Choice list

Strictly No Elephants The Why-Askers · Big Feelings, First Friendships

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>Strictly No Elephants</em> for their 2026 Teacher&rsquo;s Choice list &mdash; <a href="https://creativemindsmontessori.com/resources/authors/lisa-mantchev/" 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/resources/authors/lisa-mantchev/">Creative Minds Montessori</a> selected <em>Strictly No Elephants</em> as one of their 120 Teacher&rsquo;s Choice books for 2026.</p>