Birthdays

May 222025

Mary Cassatt Self-Portrait

Mary Cassatt (born Allegheny City, Pennsylvania, 1844; died Chateau de Beaufresne near Paris, France, June 14, 1926) was an artist. Most of her works were around the theme of children and families. Children can view several of her works at: Mary Cassatt. Idea: She sometimes worked in pastels. Students could try this medium.

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (born Edinburgh, Scotland, 1859; died Crowborough, Sussex, England, July 7, 1930) was a physician and writer. He is most famous for his Sherlock Holmes stories. Children can read many of his works at: Project Gutenberg. They can also learn more at: Doyle.

Nancy Krulik (born Brooklyn, New York, 1961) has written at least 200 books for children. Her books include the Katie Kazoo, Switcheroo series and the George Brown, Class Clown series. Children can visit her website at: Nancy Krulik.

Arnold Lobel (born Los Angeles, California, 1933; died New York, New York, December 4, 1987) was a children’s author and illustrator. He wrote and illustrated about 30 books. He also wrote books that were illustrated by his wife Anita Lobel. Finally, he illustrated at least 40 books written by other writers, including Jack Prelutsky and Charlotte Zolotow. He received a 1973 Newbery Honor Award for Frog and Toad Together. He earned a 1972 Caldecott Honor Award for Hildilid’s Night and the 1981 Caldecott Medal for Fables. The 1987 Golden Kite Award for Picture Book Illustration was given to him for The Devil and Mother Crump. Children can learn more at: Arnold Lobel. Notice he earned BOTH Newbery and Caldecott Awards.

Richard Wagner (born Leipzig, Germany, 1813; died Venice, Italy, February 13, 1883) was a composer. One of his most famous works is The Ring of the Nibelung.

Birthdays

May 232025

Goodnight Moon

Margaret Wise Brown (born New York, New York, 1910; died Nice, France, November 13, 1952) was a children’s author. She wrote about a hundred books under several names, but she is most famous for Goodnight Moon and The Runaway Bunny. Children could learn more at: Margaret Wise Brown. They could also read The Important Book, by Margaret Wise Brown, and then write their own poems in the style of the book.

Oliver Butterworth (born Hartford, Connecticut, 1915; died Hartford, Connecticut, September 17, 1990) was an educator and a writer. He is most famous for writing The Enormous Egg.

Susan Cooper (born England, 1935) writes books for children and young adults. Known for her books of fantasy, she earned a 1974 Newbery Honor Award for The Dark Is Rising. She received the 1976 Newbery Medal for The Grey King. She also earned the 2012 Margaret A. Edwards Award for lifetime achievement. Children can visit her website at: Susan Cooper.

Carl Linnaeus (born near Kristianstad, Sweden, 1707; died Uppsala, Sweden, January 10, 1778) was a naturalist. He devised the classification system for living things: Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, and Species. Children could learn more at: Carl Linnaeus.

Scott O’Dell (born Los Angeles, California, 1898; died Santa Monica, California, October 15, 1989) wrote books for children and adults. He received many awards. His book Island of the Blue Dolphins received the 1961 Newbery Medal. In 1967 The King’s Fifth earned a Newbery Honor Award. He received another Newbery Honor Award in 1968 for The Black Pearl. In 1971 Sing Down the Moon received a Newbery Honor Award. He received the very prestigious Hans Christian Andersen Award in 1972. In 1982 he created the Scott O’Dell Award for Historical Fiction, and 1987 he received the award for Streams to the River, River to the Sea: A novel of Sacagawea. Children could learn more about Scott O’Dell and the Scott O’Dell Award for Historical Fiction from Children’s Book Award Handbook, by Diana F. Marks.

Peter Parnall (born Syracuse, New York, 1936) has written and illustrated at least sixteen books, In addition, he has illustrated at least 80 book written by other authors. He has earned three Caldecott Honor Awards: in 1976 for The Desert Is Theirs, in 1977 for Hawk, I’m Your Brother, and in 1979 for The Way to Start a Day. All three of those books were written by Byrd Baylor.

Brenda Seabrooke (born Mount Dora, Florida, 1941) writes books for children. Her books include The Swan’s Gift and The Dragon that Ate Summer.

Birthdays

May 242025

Diane deGroat (born Newton, New Jersey, 1947) has illustrated and/or written over 130 books for children. Her books include Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire and Brand-new Pencils, Brand-new Books. Children can visit her website at: Diane deGroat.

Emanuel Leutze (born Wurttenberg, Germany, 1816; died Washington, DC, July 18, 1868) came to America when he was nine years old. He started to paint at about age fifteen. Even though most people do not recognize his name, he painted some very famous pictures. They include Washington Crossing the Delaware and Columbus Before the Queen. Children can see some of his works at: Emanuel Leutze.

Ynes Mexia (born Washington, DC, 1870; died Berkeley, California, July 12, 1938) was a botanist who collected rare species of plants from South America and Mexico. She often traveled to remote and dangerous locations to find plants that had specific purposes. Children could learn more by reading Ynes Mexia: Botanist and Adventurer by Durlynn Anema.

Frank Oz (born Hereford, England, 1944) is a puppeteer. His characters include Miss Piggy and Cookie Monster.

Birthdays

May 252025

Barbara Bottner (born New York, New York, 1943) has written over 50 books for young readers and young adults. Her books include Bootsie Barker Bites and Raymond and Nelda. Children can visit her website at: Barbara Bottner.

Miles Davis (born Alton, Illinois, 1926; died Santa Monica, California, September 28, 1991) was a jazz trumpeter. He experimented with different kinds of music.

Ralph Waldo Emerson (born Boston, Massachusetts, 1803; died Boston, Massachusetts, April 27, 1882) was a writer and philosopher. Older children can read some of his work at: Project Gutenberg.

Ann McGovern (born New York, New York, 1930; died New York, New York, May 8, 2015) was a children’s author. She wrote 55 books, including Too Much Noise and If You Lived in Colonial Times. Children can visit a website devoted to her at: Ann McGovern.

Igor Sikorsky (born Kiev, Russia, 1889; died Easton, Connecticut, October 26, 1972) was an engineer. He created the first functioning helicopter in 1939.

Joyce Carol Thomas (born Ponca City, Oklahoma, 1938; died Stanford, California, August 13, 2016) wrote more than 30 books. She received a 1984 Coretta Scott King Honor Award for Bright Shadow and another in 1994 for Brown Honey in Broom Wheat Tea. She also earned a 2000 Charlotte Zolotow Highly Commended Award for You Are My Perfect Baby.

Birthdays

May 262025

Julia DeVillers and Jennifer Roy (born Colonie, New York, 1981) are twins who write books for children and young adults. DeVillers’s works include Lynnvisible and How My Private, Personal Journal Became a Best Seller. Roy’s works include the Math All Around series and Yellow Star.

Sheila Greenwald (born New York, New York, 1934) has written and illustrated at least 30 books for children. Her works include the Rosy series and The Secret Museum. Children could visit her website at: Sheila Greenwald.

Sally Ride

Sally Kristen Ride (born Encino, California, 1951; died La Jolla, California, July 23, 2012) was the first American woman to travel in space. Dr. Ride flew on a six-day Challenger mission that was launched June 24, 1983. She co-wrote five books for children regarding space and science. Children could learn more at: Sally Ride.

Lisbeth Zwerger (born Vienna, Austria, 1954) has illustrated at least 30 children’s books and stories. She received the 1990 Hans Christian Andersen Award for her lifetime achievements. She illustrated J. K. Rowling’s “The Tales of Beedle the Bard.” She also illustrated the 1999 version of Alice in Wonderland.

Birthdays

May 272025

Francis Beaufort (born Ireland, 1774; died England, December 17, 1857) was a scientist and naval officer. He created the Beaufort Wind Force Scale. Children can view the scale at: Beaufort Scale.

Amelia Jenks Bloomer (born Homer, New York, 1818; died Council Bluffs, Iowa, December 30, 1894) was a women’s rights activist. Her name is associated with “bloomers.”

Rachel Carson

Rachel Louise Carson (born Springdale, Pennsylvania, 1907; died Silver Springs, Maryland, April 14, 1964) was an environmentalist and an author. Her book Silent Spring sparked discussion over the use of pesticides. Children could read Rachel Carson, Caring for the Earth by Elizabeth Ring. They can also learn more at: Rachel Carson.

Nathaniel Gorham (born Charlestown, Massachusetts, 1738; died Charlestown, Massachusetts, June 11, 1796) represented Massachusetts at the Constitutional Convention. During the convention, he was president of the Committee of the Whole. When representatives wanted to speak more informally, the Committee of the Whole took over the session. Children could learn more at: Nathaniel Gorham.

Wild Bill Hickok (born James Butler Hickok in Troy Grove, Illinois, 1837; died Deadwood, South Dakota, August 2, 1876) was a frontiersman and a lawman. He was killed while playing poker in a saloon.

Julia Ward Howe

Julia Ward Howe (born New York, New York, 1819; died Newport, Rhode Island, October 17, 1910) was a fervent abolitionist and women’s suffragist. She wrote The Battle Hymn of the Republic. Children could learn more at: Julia Ward Howe.

M. E. Kerr (born Auburn, New York, 1927; died Springs, New York, November 21, 2022) is one of Marijane Meaker’s pen names. M. E. Kerr wrote books for young adults, and she received the 1993 Margaret A. Edwards Award for her body of work.

Lynn Sweat (born Alexandria, Louisiana, 1934) writes and illustrates books for children. He illustrates Peggy Parish’s Amelia Bedelia series.

Birthdays

May 282025

Debby Atwell (born Providence, Rhode Island, 1953) writes and illustrates books for children. Her books include Barn and Pearl.

Ian Lancaster Fleming (born London, England, 1909; died Canterbury, England, August 12, 1964) was an author. In addition to his James Bond books, he wrote for children. One of his children’s books is Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, published in 1964.

Jim Thorpe

James Francis Thorpe (born Prague, Oklahoma, 1888; died Lomita, California, March 28, 1953) was an Olympic athlete, a baseball player, and a football player. Part-Native American, he was raised on the Sac and Fox Nation in Oklahoma. Controversy surrounded his career as to when he became a professional athlete. Children could read Jim Thorpe, Original All-American by Joseph Bruchac.

Johann David Wyss ( born Bern, Switzerland, 1743; died Bern, Switzerland, January 11, 1818) and his family wrote Swiss Family Robinson. He also wrote the Swiss national anthem. Children can learn more at: Johann Wyss. Children can read Swiss Family Robinson at: Project Gutenberg.

Birthdays

May 292025

Andrew Clements (born Camden, New Jersey, 1949; died Baldwin, Maine, November 29, 2019) wrote at least 60 books for children. His books include Frindle and the Jake Drake series.

Eleanor Coerr (born Canada, 1922; died New York, New York, November 22, 2010) wrote at least seventeen books for children. Her most popular book was probably Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes.

Brock Cole (born Charlotte, Michigan, 1938) writes and illustrates books for children and young adults. His works include Larky Mavis and Fair Monaco. He also illustrates books written by other authors.

Patrick Henry (born Studley, Virginia, 1736; died near Brookneal, Virginia, June 6, 1799) was a patriot and a speaker. He opposed the Stamp Act, and he is famous for his “Give me Liberty or give me Death” speech, given March 23, 1775. He continued to be active in politics after the Revolutionary War. Children could learn more at: Patrick Henry.

John F. Kennedy

John Fitzgerald Kennedy (born Brookline, Massachusetts, 1917; assassinated in Dallas, Texas, November 22, 1963) was the thirty-fifth president (1961-1963) of the United States. He graduated from Harvard and was wounded during World War II. Representing Massachusetts, he was a member of Congress for three terms before he was elected to the Senate. He was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for his book Profiles in Courage. He defeated Richard Nixon in the presidential race by only 118,000 votes. He was committed to the space program, and he sponsored the Peace Corps. Children could learn more at: John Kennedy.

Willo Davis Roberts (born Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1928; died Granite Falls, Washington, November 19, 2004) wrote 99 books for children and young adults. She earned three Edgar Allan Poe Awards: Megan’s Island in 1988, The Absolutely True Story of My Visit to Yellowstone with the Terrible Rupes in 1994, and Twisted Summer in 1996.

T. H. White (born Bombay, India, 1906; died Athens, Greece, January 17, 1964) was a novelist. He is most known for his Arthurian works. He published The Sword in the Stone in 1938. The Queen of Air and Darkness was published in 1939, and The Ill-Made Knight was printed in 1940. The Candle in the Wind was published in 1958. Later he assembled all four of these books into The Once and Future King, published in 1958. Children can learn more at: T. H. White.

Birthdays

May 302025

Mel Blanc (born San Francisco, California, 1908; died Los Angeles, California, July 10, 1989) was the voice of many of the characters on Looney Tunes, including Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck. Children could read Melvin the Mouth, written by Katherine Blanc and illustrated by Jeffrey Ebbeler. Katherine Blanc is the daughter-in-law of Mel Blanc.

Peter I (born Moscow, Russia, 1672; died St. Petersburg, Russia, January 28, 1725) was Tsar and Emperor of Russia. He wanted to make Russia more of a world power. He introduced Arabic numerals, and he simplified the Russian alphabet. He overhauled government and the military.

Birthdays

May 312025

Elizabeth Coatsworth (born Buffalo, New York, 1893; died Nobleboro, Maine, August 31, 1986) wrote over 90 books for children. Her books include the Sally series and The Cat Who Went to Heaven, which received the 1931 Newbery Medal. The Cat Who Went to Heaven was illustrated by Lynd Kendall Ward.

Phillip Hoose (born South Bend, Indiana, 1947) has written at least ten books for children. His book Claudette Colvin: Twice Towards Justice earned a 2010 Newbery Honor Award and a Robert F. Sibert Honor Award. Children can visit his website at: Phillip Hoose.

Harry Mazer (born New York, New York, 1925; died Montpelier, Vermont, April 7, 2016) wrote at least 22 books for children and young adults. His books include Solid Gold and The Island Keeper. He was married to Norma Fox Mazer, who also wrote books for children and young adults. They co-authored at least two books, Heartbeat and Bright Days, Stupid Nights.

Walt Whitman (born West Hills, Long Island, New York, 1819; died Camden, New Jersey, March 26, 1892) was a poet and reporter. One of his most famous works is Leaves of Grass. Children can read some of his works at: Project Gutenberg.

Jay Williams (born Buffalo, New York, 1914; died London, England, July 12, 1978) wrote at least 79 books for both adults and children. He is most known for his Danny Dunn series, numbering fifteen books.

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