Birthdays

Apr 112025

Edward Everett (born Dorcester, Massachusetts, 1794; died Boston Massachusetts, January 15, 1865) was a famous politician and orator. He gave the main address at the dedication of the Gettysburg National Cemetery on November 19, 1863. His speech was about two hours long. President Lincoln’s now famous speech took less than two minutes. Afterward, Everett realized the greatness of Lincoln’s speech and stated it would last for generations.

Graham Salisbury (born Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1944) is a musician and a writer of children’s books. His books include the Calvin Coconut series and Under the Blood Red Sun (2004 Scott O’Dell Award for Historical Fiction). Children could visit his website at: Graham Salisbury.

Birthdays

Apr 122025

Henry Clay (born Hanover County, Virginia, 1777; died Washington, DC, June 29, 1852) was a politician. He was elected to the House of Representatives for six terms, and most of that time he was Speaker of the House. He also served in the Senate for almost twenty years. Clay wanted to be president, but he was never elected. He is remembered as saying, “I would rather be right than be president.”

Beverly Cleary (born McMinnville, Oregon, 1916; died Carmel Valley, California, March 25, 2021) wrote more than 30 books for children and young adults. She wrote, among other works, Dear Mr. Henshaw, which received the 1984 Newbery Medal. She also wrote the Ramona series. Over 91 million of her books were sold! Children can visit her website at: Beverly Cleary.

Tammy Duckworth (born Bangkok, Thailand, 1968) is a US Senator from Illinois. She is the first female double amputee in the Senate, and the first Senator to give birth while in office. Before she entered politics, she had been a helicopter pilot in the Iraq War. Children can learn more at: Tammy Duckworth. They could also read A Life of Service: The Story of Senator Tammy Duckworth, by Dow Phumiruk.

Bernhard August “Hardie” Gramatky, Jr. (born Dallas, Texas, 1907; died Westport, Connecticut, April 29, 1979) was an artist. He also wrote and illustrated several children’s books, including Little Toot. Children can learn more at: Hardie Gramatky.

Lyman Hall

Lyman Hall (born Wallingford, Connecticut, 1724; died Burke County, Georgia, October 19, 1790) signed the Declaration of Independence. He represented Georgia. Born in Connecticut, he studied to become a doctor. He moved to Georgia and established a medical practice. During the Revolutionary War, the British destroyed his rice plantation; he fled with his family back to Connecticut. After the war he returned to Georgia, and ultimately he became governor of the state. Children could learn more at: Lyman Hall.

Paul Showers (born Sunnyside, Washington, 1910; died Orange, Massachusetts, January 17, 1999) wrote about 25 science-related books for children. His books include Sleep is for Everyone and How You Talk.

Gary Soto (born Fresno, California, 1952) writes poetry for adults and fiction for children. His poetry includes A Simple Plan, and his children’s books include Too Many Tamales and the Chato series. Children can visit his website at: Gary Soto.

Birthdays

Apr 132025

Samuel Becket (born Foxrock, County Dublin, Ireland, 1906; died Paris, France, December 22, 1989) wrote books and plays. During World War II he worked with a French resistance group. One of his most famous works is Waiting for Godot.

Gunning Bedford, Jr. (born Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1747; died Wilmington, Delaware, March 30, 1812) represented Delaware at the Constitutional Convention. During the Revolutionary War he was for a short time an aide to General Washington. A staunch abolitionist, he served as a federal judge for 23 years. Children can learn more at: Gunning Bedford, Jr..

Alfred Butts (born Poughkeepsie, New York, 1899; died Rhinebeck, New York, April 4, 1993) invented the game Scrabble. He invented the game when he was out of a job during the Depression. After he sold the game to a company, he received three cents for each game sold.

Erik Christian Haugaard (born Fredricksberg, Denmark, 1923; died County Cork, Ireland, June 4, 2009) fled Denmark in 1940 when the Nazis invaded. He began writing children’s books in 1963. He wrote at least twelve books for young adults. He received the 1968 Jane Addams Award for The Little Fishes. Children can learn more at: Erik Christian Haugaard.

Marguerite Henry (born Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 1902; died San Diego, California, November 26, 1997) wrote 59 books for children and young adults. She received two Newbery Honor Awards, one in 1945 for Justin Morgan Had a Horse and one in 1948 for Misty of Chincoteague. She earned the Newbery Medal in 1949 for King of the Wind. Children can learn more at: Marguerite Henry.

Lee Bennett Hopkins (born Scranton, Pennsylvania, 1938; died Cape Coral, Florida, August 8, 2019) was a poet and novelist. His first career was as a teacher, and he found out how important poetry was to children and to him. He published over 200 books, and one of his works is Good Rhymes, Good Times. He also created the Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award to honor the best poetry works of the previously published year. Children could visit the award’s site at: Hopkins Award. They could also read a biography of him and a history of the award in Children’s Book Award Handbook, by Diana F. Marks.

Peale Portrait of Thomas Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson (born Albermarle County, Virginia, 1743; died Charlottesville, Virginia, July 4, 1826) was the third president (1801-1808) of the United States. He hoped people would remember him for writing the Declaration of Independence, for writing the statute of Virginia for religious freedom, and for founding the University of Virginia. He also made possible the Louisiana Purchase of 1803. Children could visit a website at: Thomas Jefferson. Idea: Jefferson invented several items that made life easier, including the swivel chair, a lap desk, and a decoding device. Children could evaluate his inventions and draw diagrams of them.

Rita Williams-Garcia (born Queens, New York, 1957) writes books for young adults. Her book One Crazy Summer won a 2011 Newbery Honor Award, the Coretta Scott King Medal, and the Scott O’Dell Award for Historical Fiction! Children can learn more at: http://www.ritawg.com/.

Birthdays

Apr 142025

Christiaan Huygens (born The Hague, Dutch Republic, 1629; died The Hague, Dutch Republic, July 8, 1695) was a mathematician, physicist, and astronomer. He discovered that Saturn had a ring around it and that Saturn had at least one moon, Titan. He wrote a book about probability theory, and he quantified several physics concepts.

Gary D. Schmidt (born Hicksville, New York, 1957) writes books for children. His Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy earned both a Newbery Honor Award and a Printz Award in 2005. The Wednesday Wars received a 2008 Newbery Honor Award.

Anne Mansfield Sullivan (born Feeding Hills, Massachusetts, 1866; died Forest Hills, New York, October 20, 1936) was Helen Keller’s teacher from 1887 until her death in 1936. Older children can learn a great deal about Sullivan from the American Foundation for the Blind website: http://www.afb.org/asm/.

Birthdays

Apr 152025

Thomas Hart Benton Self-Portrait

Thomas Hart Benton (born Neosho, Missouri, 1889; died Kansas City, Missouri, January 19, 1975) was an artist. His works of the American midwest and south led to the development of artistic regionalism. Children can view some of his works at: Thomas Hart Benton.

Leonhard Euler (born Basel, Switzerland, 1707; died St. Petersburg, Russia, September 18, 1783) was a mathematician. Children could learn about Euler’s Formula at: Euler Formula. Make sure you check out the morphing coffee cup/doughnut!

Henry James (born New York, New York, 1843; died London, England, February 28, 1916) was a prolific and noted American writer. He wrote over 110 stories, twenty novels, and sixteen plays. Some of his most famous work includes The Turn of the Screw and What Maisie Knew. Older children can read many of his works at: Project Gutenberg.

Jacqueline Briggs Martin (born Lewiston, Maine, 1945) writes books for children. She wrote Snowflake Bentley, and the book’s illustrator, Mary Azarian, received the 1999 Caldecott Medal. Children can learn more at: Jacqueline Briggs Martin.

Charles Willson Peale Self-Portrait

Charles Willson Peale (Born Queen Anne County, Maryland, 1741; died Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, February 22, 1827) was a famous portrait painter during the Revolutionary period. He enjoyed painting famous Americans. He created at least 60 portraits of George Washington. His brother (James Peale), and four of his sons (Rembrandt, Rubens, Titian Ramsay, and Raphael) were also accomplished artists. Idea: Children can make a portrait of a fellow classmate. Hang the results in the “American Gallery.” Children could view some of his works at: Charles Willson Peale.

Bessie Smith (born Chattanooga, Tennessee, 1894; died Clarksdale, Mississippi, September 26, 1937) was nicknamed the “Empress of the Blues.” She combined spirituals with jazz, and some experts consider her one of the greatest singers in blues history. She died in a car crash in 1937.

Leonardo da Vinci Self-Portrait

Leonardo da Vinci (born Vinci, Italy, 1452; died Cloux, France, May 2,1519) was a great artist and scientist. Famous works include Mona Lisa, Saint John the Baptist, and The Last Supper. His scientific interests ranged from plant studies to aviation. Idea: The Last Supper is a fresco; it is painted into the plaster on the wall. Fill disposable pie plates with wet plaster of Paris. Children can paint right into the wet plaster surface. Let the plaster dry, and then display the results. Children could also read Leonardo da Vinci for Kids: His Life and Ideas, 21 Activities by Janis Herbert. Finally, they could view some of his works at: Leonardo da Vinci.

Birthdays

Apr 162025

Dorothy Pulis Lathrop (born Albany, New York, 1891; died Falls Village, Connecticut, December 30, 1980) wrote and illustrated children’s books. She illustrated Hitty, Her First Hundred Years. That book earned the author, Rachel Fields, the 1930 Newbery Medal. Lathrop wrote and illustrated The Fairy Circus, earning her a 1932 Caldecott Honor Award. She received the very first Caldecott Medal (1938) for her illustrations in Animals of the Bible. Children can view some of the books she illustrated at: Project Gutenberg.

Gertrude Chandler Warner (born Putnam, Connecticut, 1890; died Putnam, Connecticut, August 30, 1979) created the Boxcar Children series. Warner wrote only the first nineteen books of the series. Now someone else writes the books. At last count, 167 Boxcar Children books have been published. Check the cover of a Boxcar book to see if the author is really Warner. Children could propose a plot for a new Boxcar book. Children could also read a biography, Gertrude Chandler Warner and the Boxcar Children, by Mary Ellen Ellsworth. They could read Gertrude Chandler Warner’s first book at: Project Gutenberg.

Garth Williams (born New York, New York, 1912; died Guanajuato, Mexico, May 8, 1996) wrote and illustrated children’s books. He stated he illustrated 97 books, including Stuart Little, Charlotte’s Web and the Little House series. Children can learn more at: Garth Williams.

Wilbur Wright

Wilbur Wright (born Millville, Indiana, 1867; died Dayton, Ohio, May 30, 1912) invented, along with his brother, the first airplane. The two were owners of a bicycle shop when they became interested in aviation. They first experimented with kites and then moved on to gliders. They often experienced failure as they tested idea after idea. On December 17, 1903, Wilbur’s brother, Orville, flew their motorized airplane. Children could visit a website at: Wright Brothers. They could read the Newbery Honor Award book, The Wright Brothers: How They Invented the Airplane, by Russell Freedman. Idea: Consider having a paper airplane contest. Encourage new designs rather than the standard plane. Have a contest for the longest flight, and have another contest for the most acrobatic plane

Samuel Youd (born England, 1922; died England, February 3, 2012) wrote science fiction under several pen names, including John Christopher. His books include The Death of Grass and The Tripods trilogy. Children could learn more at: Samuel Youd.

Birthdays

Apr 172025

Samuel Chase

Samuel Chase (born Somerset County, Maryland, 1741; died Baltimore, Maryland, June 19, 1811) signed the Declaration of Independence. He represented Maryland. He also served on the Supreme Court as an associate justice from 1796 until he died. Children could learn more at: Samuel Chase.

Martyn Godfrey (born Birmingham, England, 1949; died St. Albert, Alberta, Canada, March 10, 2000) wrote at least 30 fantasy and science fiction books for children. His books include More than Weird and the Ms. Teenie-Wonderful series.

John Pierpont Morgan (born Hartford, Connecticut, 1837; died Rome, Italy, March 31, 1913) was a financier and corporate executive. He helped finance American Telegraph and Telephone, and he reorganized several railroads after a panic in 1893. He enjoyed collecting art, and his collections were often loaned to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Idea: Children could brainstorm a list of famous paintings. Each could then create a fictional personal art gallery of his/her favorites.

Jillian Tamaki (born Ottawa, Canada, 1980) is an illustrator. Her illustrations in This One Summer earned her a 2015 Caldecott Honor Award.

Thornton Wilder (born Madison, Wisconsin, 1897; died Hamden, Connecticut, December 7, 1975) was a playwright and novelist. He received a Pulitzer Prize in 1928 for his novel, The Bridge of San Luis Rey. He also won Pulitzers for his plays, “Our Town” and “The Skin of Our Teeth.” Children can learn more at: Thornton Wilder.

Birthdays

Apr 182025

Clarence Darrow (born Kinsman, Ohio, 1857; died Chicago, Illinois, March 13, 1938) was a lawyer. He defended John Scopes in the famous case of creationism versus evolution, sometimes known as “The Monkey Trial.” That trial was the basis for the play and movie, Inherit the Wind.

Mitchell Sharmat (born Brookline, Massachusetts, 1927; died Tucson, Arizona, July 25, 2011) wrote books for children. He wrote Gregory, the Terrible Eater, and he wrote with his wife, Marjorie Sharmat, the Nate the Great series.

Birthdays

Apr 192025

Jon Agee (born Nyack, New York, 1960) writes and illustrates books for children. His books include Milo’s Hat Trick and Ludlow Laughs. Children can visit his interesting website at: Jon Agee.

Sarah G. Bagley (born Candia, New Hampshire, 1806; died Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, January 15, 1889) became the first female telegraph operator on February 21, 1846. A women’s rights advocate, she also worked to make millwork safer for women. Children could read an excellent biography of her at: Sarah G. Bagley.

Lucretia Garfield

Lucretia Rudolph Garfield (born Hiram, Ohio, 1832; died South Pasadena, California, March 14, 1918) was America’s First Lady from March 4, 1881 to September 19, 1881. She was the wife of James A. Garfield, twentieth president of the United States. Children can visit a website at: Lucretia Garfield.

Jean Lee Latham (born Buckhannon, West Virginia, 1902; died Florida, June 13, 1995) wrote at least 34 books, mainly biographies, for children. Her book Carry On, Mr. Bowditch received the 1956 Newbery Medal.

Roger Sherman

Roger Sherman (born Newton, Massachusetts, 1721; died New Haven, Connecticut, July 23, 1793) was the only patriot to sign four of America’s most valuable documents, the Articles of Association, the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the United States Constitution. He also served in the House of Representatives from 1789 to 1791 and in the Senate from 1791 to 1793. Children could read the chapter about Roger Sherman in American Revolutionaries and Founders of the Nation, by James Meisner, Jr. and Amy Ruth. Children can learn more at: Roger Sherman.

Javaka Steptoe (born New York, New York, 1971) writes and illustrates children’s books. He received the 1998 Coretta Scott King Award for In Daddy’s Arms I Am Tall. Steptoe received a 2011 Coretta Scott King Honor Award for Jimi Sounds Like a Rainbow. He also earned the 2017 Caldecott Medal for his book Radiant Child: The Story of Young Artist Jean-Michel Basquiat. Children can visit his website at: Javaka Steptoe.

Birthdays

Apr 202025

Daniel Chester French

Daniel Chester French (born Exeter, New Hampshire, 1850; died Stockbridge, Massachusetts, October 7, 1931) was a famous American sculptor. His most famous works include the Minute Man statue in Concord, Massachusetts, and the seated Abraham Lincoln in the Lincoln Memorial. Children could learn more at: Daniel Chester French. Children could view several of his artworks at: Met.

Mary Hoffman (born England, 1945) has written over 90 books for children and teenagers. Her books include Troubadour and The Falconer’s Knot. Children can visit her website at: Mary Hoffman.

Joan Miro (born Barcelona, Spain, 1893; died Majorca, Spain, December 25, 1983) was a surrealistic painter. One of his famous works is Dutch Interior, painted in 1928. Children could view a number of his works at: Joan Miro.

John Paul Stevens

John Paul Stevens (born Chicago, Illinois, 1920; died Fort Lauderdale, Florida, July 16, 2019) was an associate justice of the Supreme Court. He was nominated by Gerald Ford in 1975. He retired June 29, 2010. Idea: Children could research the process whereby a person becomes a Supreme Court justice. Is there a term limit for the justices? Should there be a term limit? Children could learn more about him at: John Paul Stevens.

Older Entries Newer Entries