Nina Laden — Teacher's Choice Author 2026

Nina Laden 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 Nina Laden

Nina Laden is an author-illustrator with a graphic designer's eye, known for die-cut peek-through books whose bold, retro art makes tiny readers feel clever. Peek-a Who? has become a modern baby-shower staple.

The daughter of two artists, Laden says she 'grew up under the drawing board' and worked as an illustrator for years before realizing the books she doodled for friends' babies were the real career.

Also by this author: Peek-a Zoo! · If I Had a Little Dream · Yellow Kayak

Official website: ninaladen.com/new

Selected for the 2026 Teacher’s Choice list

Peek-a Who? Lap Listeners · Touch, Pat, Peek

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>Peek-a Who?</em> for their 2026 Teacher&rsquo;s Choice list &mdash; <a href="https://creativemindsmontessori.com/resources/authors/nina-laden/" 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/nina-laden/">Creative Minds Montessori</a> selected <em>Peek-a Who?</em> as one of their 120 Teacher&rsquo;s Choice books for 2026.</p>