Patch's Poll: Who Is Your Favorite Children's Book Author?

Today is Read Across America Day, first declared in 1997 to celebrate Dr. Seuss' birthday. Today at the , kids were invited to come to school in their PJs to celebrate Dr. Seuss.

"Motivating children to read is an important factor in student achievement and creating lifelong successful readers. Research has shown that children who are motivated and spend more time reading do better in school," says the National Education Association, founder of the day.

It is fitting to ask this question this week as well because of the recent death of Jan Berenstain, who, with her husband, Stan, wrote more than 300 books about the family of bears known as Mama Bear, Papa Bear, Brother Bear and Sister Bear.

"The Berenstain Bears books, gentle best-sellers that enlightened preschoolers for half a century with simple lessons about kindness and tidiness, and reasons not to be afraid of the doctor," wrote The New York Times.

Who is your favorite children's author? What book from your childhood had the most effect on you? Take our poll and add your thoughts in the comments. And Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!