Birthdays

Jan 312025

Denise Fleming (born Toledo, Ohio, 1950) writes and illustrates children’s books. Her book In the Small, Small Pond received a 1995 Caldecott Honor Award. She has published 20 books using an unusual illustrating technique. She produces her own paper pulp, adds vivid dyes, and forces the pulp through stencils. Then she combines these images to produce her illustrations. Children can learn more about her techniques and participate in her many, many amazing activities at: Denise Fleming.

Zane Grey (born Zanesville, Ohio, 1872; died Altadena, California, October 23, 1939) was a novelist best known for his westerns. Two of his most famous works were Riders of the Purple Sage and The Last of the Plainsmen. He wrote more than 50 books. Young adults can read many of his books at: Project Gutenberg.

Gerald McDermott (born Detroit, Michigan, 1941; died Los Angeles, California, December 26, 2012) was a children’s book author and illustrator. He wrote and illustrated 20 books. He illustrated at least ten books written by other authors. His book Anansi the Spider received a 1973 Caldecott Honor Award. Next, Arrow to the Sun earned the 1975 Caldecott Medal. In 1993 Raven: A Trickster Tale from the Pacific Northwest received a Caldecott Honor Award. Children could learn more at: Gerald McDermott.

Gouverneur Morris (born Morrisania, New York, 1752; died Morrisania, New York, November 6, 1816) was an American patriot. He attended the Continental Congress and after the war helped Robert Morris settle the United States financially. He was minister to England and France and was a senator from New York. Children could learn more at: Gouverneur Morris.

Robert Morris (born Liverpool, England, 1734; died Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, May 9, 1806) was an American patriot and a merchant. He was one of only two men who signed all three important documents, the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the Constitution. After the Revolutionary War, he helped the new country get on its feet financially. He was also a senator from the state of Pennsylvania. Later he was forced into bankruptcy and had to go to debtor’s prison. Children could visit a website at: Robert Morris.

Jackie Robinson (born Cairo, Georgia, 1919; died Stamford, Connecticut, October 24, 1972) was a baseball player. He left the army in 1945 as a first lieutenant and played baseball for the Monarchs, a team in the Negro American League. He was then signed to the Royals, a minor league team. After one season, he moved to the Brooklyn Dodgers and became the first African American to play for the major leagues. He played second base from 1947 to 1956. He was also the first African American to be elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame. Children could read a great biography, A Picture Book of Jackie Robinson, by David A. Adler. Older children could learn more at: Jackie Robinson.

Franz Schubert (born Vienna, Austria, 1797; died Vienna, Austria, November 19, 1828) was a composer. His music combined classicism and romanticism. He created over six hundred pieces of music, but he was not popular during his own lifetime. His works include Unfinished Symphony and Die Zauberharfe (The Magic Harp).

Birthdays

Feb 012025

Meg Cabot (born Bloomington, Indiana, 1967) has published over 50 books for young adults and adults. She is best known for her Princess Diary series. Young adults can visit her website at: Meg Cabot.

Hattie Caraway – Senate Portrait

Hattie Wyatt Caraway (born Bakersville, Tennessee, 1878; died Falls Church, Virginia, December 21, 1950) finished her husband’s term in the Senate, representing Arkansas, when he died in 1931. She then ran for the office when that term expired. She became the first woman to be elected to the Senate, and she worked ceaselessly for women’s rights and Prohibition. Older children could learn more at: Hattie Wyatt Caraway.

Langston Hughes (born Joplin, Missouri, 1902; died New York, New York, May 22, 1967) was an African American writer. He is famous for his poetry, and he experimented with meter. He wrote or edited at least 50 books, and he also created dramas. Students can read some of his poetry at: Hughes Poetry. Children could learn more about Hughes at: Langston Hughes. Students would also enjoy reading Floyd Cooper’s Coming Home: From the Life of Langston Hughes.

James Preller (born Nassau County, New York, 1961) has written more than 50 books for children. He writes the Jigsaw Jones series and other books, including Bystander and Before you Go. Children can visit his website at: James Preller.

Jerry Spinelli (born Norristown, Pennsylvania, 1941) has written at least 28 books for children. His Maniac McGee received the 1991 Newbery Award. His Wringer was a 1998 Newbery Honor Book. Children could visit his website at: Jerry Spinelli.

Birthdays

Feb 022025

Pura Belpré (born Cidra, Puerto Rico, 1899; died New York, New York, July 1, 1982) was a librarian and writer. She preserved and shared works by Latino writers. One of her most famous works was Juan Bobo and the Queen’s Necklace: A Puerto Rican Folk Tale. The American Library Association and REFORMA established the Pura Belpré Award in her honor. The award recognizes Latino writers and illustrations. Children can learn more by reading the Children’s Book Award Handbook by Diana F. Marks. Children could also read Planting Stories: The Life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura Belpré, written by Anika Aldamuy Denise and illustrated by Paola Escobar. The book received the 2020 Pura Belpré Author Honor Award.

A Pcoketful of Cricket

Rebecca Caudill (born Cumberland, Kentucky, 1899; died Urbana, Illinois, October 2, 1985) wrote more than 20 books for children. Her book Tree of Freedom was a 1950 Newbery Honor Book. She also wrote A Pocketful of Cricket. The illustrator, Evaline Ness, received a 1965 Caldecott Honor Award for her illustrations. The state of Illinois, where she lived for many years, created the Rebecca Caudill Young Reader’s Book Award in her honor. Every year the school children of Illinois vote for their favorite new book. Children could learn more about her at: Rebecca Caudill.

Jascha Heifitz (born Vilna, Lithuania, 1901; died Los Angeles, California, December 10, 1987) was a violin virtuoso. He started to play at age three and was performing at age six. At age thirteen he played in Berlin and found international fame. During the Russian Revolution he escaped to the United States, where he became a citizen in 1925. He recorded many great pieces and arrangements. Because of his technical skills, he was often the first person to play new pieces by present-day composers.

James Joyce (born Dublin, Ireland, 1882; died Zurich, Switzerland, January 13, 1941) was a writer. One of his most famous works is A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man. Older children can read some of his works at: Project Gutenberg.

Lin Oliver (born Los Angeles, California, 1947) is a television producer and author of at least 50 children’s books. She co-writes the Hank Zipzer books with Henry Winkler. Children can learn more at: Lin Oliver.

Judith Viorst (born Newark, New Jersey, 1931) writes for both children and adults. She is also known for her poetry. One of her books is Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day. Another of her books is The Tenth Good Thing about Barney.

Birthdays

Feb 032025

Horace Greeley

Horace Greeley (born Amherst, New Hampshire, 1811; died New York, New York, November 29, 1872) was a journalist and an anti-slavery advocate prior to the Civil War. He started the New York Herald, and he encouraged settlement of the west. He is known for his statement, “Go west, young man.” Older children can read some of his works at: Project Gutenberg.

Walt Morey (born Hoquiam, Washington, 1907; died Wilsonville, Oregon, January 12, 1992) wrote fourteen books for children. Many of his books centered around conflicts/relationships between people and animals. He also wrote survival stories. Two of his most famous works are Gentle Ben and Kavik the Wolf Dog.

Felix Mendelssohn (born Hamburg, Germany, 1809; died Leipzig, Germany, November 4, 1847) was a pianist and a classical composer. He was playing in concerts by age nine and was performing his own compositions by age eleven. One of his most famous pieces of music is the Wedding March.

James Michener (born New York, New York, 1907; died Austin, Texas, October 16, 1997) was a novelist. His book of short stories, Tales of the South Pacific, published in 1947, was the basis for the musical, South Pacific. The book won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction in 1948. Other works are Hawaii and Texas. Children could visit the Michener Museum website that provides a virtual field trip regarding his life at: James Michener.

Joan Lowery Nixon (born Los Angeles, California, 1927; died Houston, Texas, June 28, 2003) wrote 102 books for children. One of her most well known works is the series A Family Apart, published in 1987. Children can learn more at: Joan Lowery Nixon.

Norman Rockwell (born New York, New York, 1894; died Stockbridge, Massachusetts, November 8, 1978) was an artist. He is probably most famous for his illustrations for the covers of the Saturday Evening Post. Idea: Students could view some of his works. They could list the works’ qualities that endeared him to so many other people. Children can view some of his works and enjoy a timeline of Rockwell’s life at: http://www.nrm.org/.

Gertrude Stein (born Allegheny, Pennsylvania, 1874; died Paris, France, July 29, 1946) was a writer and a friend to many avant-garde artists, including Pablo Picasso. She is famous for her saying, “A rose is a rose is a rose.” Older children can read some of her work at: Project Gutenberg.

Birthdays

Feb 042025

Barbara Shook Hazen (born Dayton, Ohio, 1930) has written about 80 books for children. Her books include Katie’s Wish and The Knight Who Was Afraid of the Dark. Children can visit her website at: Barbara Shook Hazen.

Russell Hoban (born Lansdale, Pennsylvania, 1925; died London, England, December 13, 2011) was an author and an artist. He wrote over 60 books for children and over 15 books for adults. He also wrote poetry and plays. One of his books is Bedtime for Frances. Children could learn more at: Russell Hoban.

Charles Lindbergh

Charles A. Lindbergh (born Detroit, Michigan, 1902; died Kipahula, Maui, Hawaii, August 27, 1974) was the first person to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean. He made the trip May 20-21, 1927. Called “Lucky Lindy,” he immediately became a hero. Children can read more about him at: Charles Lindbergh.

Thaddeus Kosciuszko (born Lithuania, 1746; died Solothurn, Switzerland, October 15, 1817) is often called the “Hero of Two Wars” because he fought for freedom in both America and Poland. He came to America in 1776 and presented himself to the Continental Congress. He had excellent engineering skills and built fortifications near Saratoga, West Point, and other locations. After the war, he received the rank of brigadier general. In 1784 he returned to Poland and became embroiled in a fight for freedom there. While his side won for a time, ultimately he was imprisoned. Children can visit a website at: Kosciuszko.

Rosa Parks

Rosa Louise Parks (born Tuskegee, Alabama, 1913; died Detroit, Michigan, October 24, 2005) was a civil rights leader. She refused to give up her bus seat in Montgomery, Alabama, and was arrested on December 1, 1955. Children could read Rosa Parks: My Story by Rosa Parks and Jim Haskins. They can learn more at: Rosa Parks.

Birthdays

Feb 052025

Hank Aaron

Henry Louis “Hank” Aaron (born Mobile, Alabama, 1932; died Atlanta, Georgia, January 22, 2021) was a Baseball Hall of Famer. He broke Babe Ruth’s home run record of 714, hitting 715 home runs on April 8, 1974. He concluded his career with 755 homeruns. Children could read Hank Aaron’s Dream by Matt Tavares. They could also learn more at: Hank Aaron.

John Jeffries (born Boston, Massachusetts, 1745; died Boston, Massachusetts, September 16, 1819) was a scientist and physician. He and Jean Pierre Blanchard, on January 4, 1785, were the first to cross the English Channel in a hot air balloon, a dangerous adventure. He is perhaps best known for his meteorological observations, resulting in today’s National Weatherperson’s Day.

Patricia Lauber (born New York, New York, 1924; died New Canaan, Connecticut, March 12, 2010) wrote over 125 books for children. She received a Newbery Honor Award in 1986 for Volcano: Eruption and Healing of Mount Saint Helens. Children can learn more about her at: Patricia Lauber.

David Wiesner (born Bridgewater, New Jersey, 1957) is a children’s book author and illustrator. He has received three Caldecott Medals: Tuesday in 1992, The Three Pigs in 2002, and Flotsam in 2007. He has also earned three Caldecott Honor Awards: Free Fall in 1989, Sector 7 in 2000, and Mr. Wuffles! in 2014. Children can visit his site at: David Wiesner.

John Witherspoon (born near Edinburgh, Scotland, 1723; died Princeton, New Jersey, November 15, 1794) signed the Declaration of Independence. During the Revolutionary War, he served on over 100 committees. Representing New Jersey, he attended the second Continental Congress. He signed the Articles of Confederation and favored the Constitution. A clergyman, he was president of the College of New Jersey, known today as Princeton University. His students included James Madison and William Bradford. Older children can learn more at: John Witherspoon.

Birthdays

Feb 062025

Aaron Burr

Aaron Burr (born Newark, New Jersey, 1756; died Staten Island, New York, September 14, 1836) was a senator and the third vice president of the United States. He ran against Thomas Jefferson for the presidency in 1800. Each received the same number of electoral votes. According to the Constitution at that time, the House of Representatives decided who was to be president, and Jefferson won. Burr was not renominated in 1804, and he did not win the governorship of New York. Burr blamed Alexander Hamilton for these losses and challenged Hamilton to a duel. Burr killed Hamilton, but Burr’s career was ruined.

Betsy Duffey (born Atlanta, Georgia) writes books for children. Her books include Dog Diaries and How to Be Cool in Third Grade.

Ronald Reagan

Ronald Reagan (born Tampico, Illinois, 1911; died Bel Air, California, June 5, 2004) was the fortieth president (1981-1989) of the United States. One of his first jobs was being a radio sports announcer. He became an actor and appeared in over fifty movies. He was elected governor of California, although he had no political experience. He became president in 1980 and created the term “Reaganomics.” Children could visit a website at: Ronald Reagan. Idea: He was the country’s oldest president when he left office. Children could debate whether there should be an age limit to the office.

Babe Ruth

George Herman “Babe” Ruth (born Baltimore, Maryland, 1895; died New York, New York, August 16, 1948) was one of baseball’s greatest players. Nicknamed the “Great Bambino,” he was an outstanding pitcher with a record of 94 games won and 46 games lost. He was a greater batter, hitting 714 homeruns during his career. He also played in the outfield. He played for the Boston Red Sox, the New York Yankees, and the Boston Braves. Children could learn more at: Babe Ruth. Idea: Children could decide whether or not Babe Ruth was the greatest baseball player of all time.

Birthdays

Feb 072025

Shonto Begay (born Kayenta, Arizona, 1954) is a children’s author and illustrator. He illustrated The Mud Pony, published in 1988.

Eubie Blake (born Baltimore, Maryland, 1883; died Brooklyn, New York, February 12, 1983) was a pianist and composer. He wrote almost 1000 songs, including I’m Just Wild about Harry.

Charles Dickens (born Portsmouth, England, 1812; died Gad’s Hill, England, June 9, 1870) was an English novelist. His works include A Christmas Carol and Oliver Twist. He is buried at Westminster Abbey. Children can read his works at: Project Gutenberg. They could learn more about him at: Charles Dickens.

Fred Gipson (born Mason, Texas, 1908; died Mason, Texas, August 14, 1973) wrote books and screenplays. His most famous work is Old Yeller, which received a 1957 Newbery Honor Award.

Sinclair Lewis (born Harry Sinclair Lewis in Sauk Center, Minnesota, 1885; died Rome, Italy, January 10, 1951) was a novelist. His works include Main Street. He won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1930. Young adults can read many of his works at: Project Gutenberg.

Laura Ingalls Wilder (born Pepin, Wisconsin, 1867; died Mansfield, Missouri, February 10, 1957) was an author. She wrote nine novels called the “Little House” books. The works are somewhat based on actual events from her life and those of her husband, Almanzo Wilder. Works include Little House in the Big Woods and Farmer Boy. Five of her books were named Newbery Honor Books: On the Banks of Plum Creek (1938), By the Shores of Silver Lake (1940), The Long Winter (1941), Little Town on the Prairie (1942), and These Happy Golden Years (1944).

Natasha Wing (born Milford, Connecticut, 1960) writes books for children. She has written a series of books called The Night Before… She has also written other books, including The Story of Eliza Hamilton. Children can visit her website at: Natasha Wing.

Birthdays

Feb 082025

Rebecca Lee Crumpler (born Delaware, 1831; died Boston, Massachusetts, March 9, 1895) was the first African American woman to earn a medical degree. She graduated from New England Female Medical College in 1864. She started her practice in Boston, but at the end of the Civil War she worked with African American women and children in Richmond, Virginia. Ultimately she returned to Boston and continued to serve impoverished African Americans. Children can learn more at: Rebecca Lee Crumpler.

William Tecumseh Sherman (born Lancaster, Ohio, 1820; died New York, New York, February 14, 1891) served as a general for the Union army during the Civil War. He is best known for his march through Georgia. Children can learn more at: Sherman.

Jules Verne (born Nantes, France, 1828; died Amiens, France, March 24, 1905) was a French novelist, playwright, and poet and is considered “the Father of Science Fiction.” He wrote at least 54 books, including Around the World in Eighty Days and Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea. Children can read his work at: Project Gutenberg. Which of his ideas have actually become real inventions?

John Williams (born New York, New York, 1932) is a composer, conductor and pianist. His works include the scores for Star Wars and Jurassic Park. Idea: Show a clip from a movie that includes some of his music. How does his music contribute to the mood of the scene?

Birthdays

Feb 092025

Dick Gackenbach (born Allentown, Pennsylvania, 1927) has written and illustrated over 70 books for children. His works include Harry and the Terrible Whatzit and Hattie Rabbit.

William Henry Harrison

William Henry Harrison (born Berkeley, Virginia, 1773; died Washington, DC, April 4, 1841) was the ninth president (1841) of the United States. After a successful military career, he served in the House of Representatives, the Senate, and as ambassador to Colombia. His presidential campaign slogan was “Tippecanoe and Tyler Too.” His inaugural address was delivered in the cold and rain. He developed pneumonia and died a month later. Children could visit a website at: William Henry Harrison. They could find out what happened at Tippecanoe.

Amy Lowell (born Brookline, Massachusetts, 1874; died Brookline, Massachusetts, May 12, 1925) was a poet. Children can learn more about her life at: Amy Lowell. Children can read some of her works at: Project Gutenberg.

Lydia Estes Pinkham (born Lynn, Massachusetts, 1819; died Lynn, Massachusetts, May 17, 1883) produced and sold Lydia Pinkham’s Vegetable Compound. Containing about 18 percent alcohol, the medicine was supposed to be therapeutic. After her death, the business became quite sound financially.

Alice Walker (born Eatonton, Georgia, 1944) is an author and social activist. One of her books is The Color Purple, which received the 1983 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. She is the first African American woman to receive a Pulitzer. Children can visit her website at: Alice Walker.

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