Birthdays

 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.

American Samoa Celebrates Flag Day

 Events
Apr 172025
 

Flag of American Samoa

American Samoa celebrates Flag Day, the day in 1900 when it became an American territory. It was formerly Eastern Samoa. Located in the South Pacific, the island group (according to the CIA World Factbook) is about the size of Washington, DC. About 55,000 people live in this tropical territory. Tuna fishing and tuna processing are a large part of its economy. Pago Pago is the capital. Older children can learn more at: American Samoa.

Syria Celebrates Independence Day

 Events
Apr 172025
 

Flag of Syria

Syria celebrates Independence Day. Liberated from France in 1946, this Middle Eastern country is about the size of North Dakota. Farmers grow cotton and grains on its arable land. Mountains and deserts form a good portion of its geography. About 22.5 million people live in Syria, and its capital is Damascus. Children can learn more at: Syria.

Jerrie Mock in 1964 Became the First Woman to Fly Solo around the World

 Events
Apr 172025
 

Jerrie Mock in 1964 became the first woman to fly solo around the world. She left Columbus, Ohio, on March 19, 1964, in The Spirit of Columbus. She returned to Columbus on this day 29 days later. She made 21 stopovers and traveled 23,206 miles. She received the Louis Bleriot Medal from the Federation Aeronautique Nationale. Children can learn more at: Jerrie Mock. They could also read The Jerrie Mock Story: The First Woman to Fly Solo around the World by Nancy Roe Pimm.

Surveyor 3 Was Launched in 1967

 Events
Apr 172025
 
Surveyor 3

Surveyor 3

Surveyor 3 was launched in 1967. It made a soft landing on the moon on April 20, 1967. Astronauts from the Apollo 12 mission to the moon brought back parts of the Surveyor. Children could analyze this photograph of the Surveyor. They could find out how it worked and how it was able to land without sinking into the moon’s dusty surface. Children could learn more at: Surveyor 3.

Birthdays

 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.

National Animal Crackers Day

 Events
Apr 182025
 

National Animal Crackers Day is today! Invented in England, the slightly sweet biscuits made their way to the United States in the late 19th century. Several companies produce animal crackers today. Nabisco bakes Barnum Animal Crackers, selling 40 million boxes per year. Idea: Children could open a box of animal crackers and see which animals are in their boxes. They could make a parade of the circus animals and then consume with a big glass of milk.

Zimbabwe Celebrates Independence Day

 Events
Apr 182025
 

Flag of Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe celebrates Independence Day. The country gained its independence from Great Britain in 1980. According to the CIA World Factbook, Zimbabwe is slightly bigger than Montana. Located in southern Africa, this landlocked country is home to about 13 million people. The country exports gold, platinum, and textiles. Harare is the capital. Children could learn more at: Zimbabwe.

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