Eric Carle is a children’s author and illustrator of numerous books and collectibles. He has more than 70 million books in print after an extensive writing career.
His books are beautiful art works usually done in college and many have additional textures including lights, shiny items and noise makers (not too loud though). Many are books about nature but he also covers the basics in children’s literature.
My children read picture books through 5th grade or so because I prefer the vocabulary and rhyming and Eric Carle is at the top of our list for the prek-3rd grade.