There have been some great picture book author photos before. I’m pretty fond of Don and Audrey Wood on the back of In The Napping House:

And of course, Uncle Shelby on the back of The Giving Tree:

But those shots (and all other picture book author photos in recorded history) can’t touch an author photo that was brought to my attention by Laura over at LibLaura5. It’s on the back of Yoda: The Story of a Cat and His Kittens by Beth Stern:

This simply cannot be topped.

But why is it so clearly the best ever? Let’s discuss . . .

1. It’s huge and takes up the whole back cover of the book. Shel taught us a lesson – go big for maximum effect. Many celebrity picture books go this route.

2. It has a Glamour Shots vibe.

3. Howard Stern is there. I would argue he is not happy to be there. Howard Stern is pulling off a half-hearted smile that would make Mona Lisa proud.

4. They’re holding cats.

5. One of the cats has its eyes closed.

Photographer: One more guys?

Howard and Beth: Nah, we’re good.

6. Head bonk.

Any other contenders out there?