In 1957, Harper published its first I Can Read title, LittleBear, written by Else Holmelund Minarik and illustrated by MauriceSendak. Large type, simple vocabulary, chapter-like divisions, anddecorative pictures made Little Bear perfect for emergingreaders.

Lillian Hoban (May 18,1925 – July 17, 1998) was a children's literature author andartist.
　　The youngest of three children,Hoban was born Lillian Aberman in Philadelphia on May 18, 1925. Sheattended the Philadelphia Museum School of Art, studied dance forten years and danced with the Martha Graham troupe, taught ModernDance and danced professionally in the 1950s.
　　Hoban learned to draw still lifeand began to write her own stories only after having four children,Phoebe, Brom, Esme and Julia. She based her tales on theirexperiences.
　　Her "I-Can-Read" books aboutArthur the chimpanzee and his little sister Violet, and theFrances the Badger books (illustrated by Hoban but writtenby her then-husband Russell) continue to be extremely popular amongchildren as time goes by, widely considered to be classics.Charlie the Tramp, about a wayward young beaver and hisfamily, is now unfortunately out of print. She also illustrated theRiverside Kids series including Russell Rides Again, Elisa InThe Middle, Superduper Teddy, and Busybody Nora. Thelast Riverside Kids book she illustrated is Ever-CleverElisa.
　　Lillian Hoban died in1998.