Birthdays

Jun 012025

James Daugherty (born Asheville, North Carolina, 1889; died Boston, Massachusetts, February 21, 1974) was a painter, illustrator, and author. He is one of only a few people who have earned both Newbery Awards and Caldecott Awards. His Andy and the Lion received a 1939 Caldecott Honor Award, and he earned another Caldecott Honor Award in 1957 for Gillespie and the Guards. He was awarded the 1940 Newbery Medal for Daniel Boone. Children could view some of his artwork at: James Daugherty.

Jacques Marquette (born Laon, France, 1637; died near Ludington, Michigan, May 18, 1675) was a priest and an explorer. He arrived in the New World in 1666. He founded several missions before he met Louis Jolliet. The two, with five other people, started to explore the Mississippi River in 1673. Idea: Children could speculate on why a priest would become such an active explorer. They could also learn more at: Jacques Marquette.

Doris Buchanan Smith (born Washington, DC, 1934; died Jacksonville, Florida, August 28, 2002) wrote seventeen books for children. Her A Taste of Blackberries was published in 1973.

Birthdays

Jun 022025

Charles “Pete” Conrad

Charles “Pete” Conrad, Jr. (born Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1930; died near Ojai, California, July 8, 1999) was an astronaut. He participated in four space flights, and he was the third person to walk on the moon. Older children can read more at: Pete Conrad.

Michael Emberley (born Boston, Massachusetts, 1960) writes and illustrates books for children. The son of author/illustrator Ed Emberley, Michael has written at least 20 books, including Mail Harry to the Moon and Ruby and the Sniffs.

Paul Galdone (born Budapest, Hungary, 1914; died Nyack, New York, November 7, 1986) was an author and illustrator of children’s books. He received a 1957 Caldecott Honor Award for Anatole and another Caldecott Honor Award in 1958 for Anatole and the Cat. Children can learn more at: Paul Galdone.

Norton Juster (born Brooklyn, New York, 1939; died Northampton, Massachusetts, March 8, 2021) was an architect and author. Perhaps his most famous book is The Phantom Tollbooth, published in 1961. He also wrote The Dot and the Line: A Romance in Lower Mathematics, published in 1963.

Helen Oxenbury (born Suffolk, England, 1938) writes and illustrates books for children. She has written and illustrated at least 59 books and has illustrated at least 20 books by other authors. She has twice received the Kate Greenaway Medal, in 1969 for The Quangle Wangle’s Hat and in 2000 for Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.

Martha Washington

Martha Dandridge Washington (born near Williamsburg, Virginia, 1731; died Mount Vernon, Virginia, May 22, 1802) was America’s First Lady from April 30, 1789 to March 4, 1797. She was the wife of George Washington, the first president of the United States. Her first husband was Daniel Parke Custis; he died in 1757. She had to raise their two children alone. In 1759 she married George Washington. She never lived in the White House because the nation’s capital moved from New York to Philadelphia while Washington was president. Children could visit a website at: Martha Washington.

Birthdays

Jun 032025

Charles Richard Drew

Charles Richard Drew (born Washington, DC, 1904; died in a car accident near Burlington, North Carolina, April 1, 1950) was an African American surgeon. His research indicated plasma keeps safer and longer than whole blood. He created blood banks, and in 1941 he became the first director of the American Red Cross Blood Bank. Older children could read Dr. Charles Drew: Blood Bank Innovator by Anne E. Schraff. They could also learn more about blood and blood banks at: Blood Banks.

Anita Lobel (born Krakow, Poland, 1934) is an author and an illustrator. A survivor of a German concentration camp, she has illustrated at least 60 books. Her On Market Street, written by her husband Arnold Lobel, received a 1982 Caldecott Honor Award. Other illustrated works include Rooster Saves the Day and A Rose in my Garden.

Birthdays

Jun 042025

Aesop (born perhaps this day 620 BC; died 564 BC) was a storyteller, best known for his fables. Little is really known about his life; some accounts state he was a slave who gained his freedom through his ability to entertain. Children can read a variety of his fables at: Project Gutenberg.

King George III

George III (born London, England, 1738; died Windsor Castle, England, January 29, 1820) was the King of England during the American Revolution. He realized he was not a good political leader. His actions probably contributed to the start of the war. At one point he almost abdicated. He experienced periods of dementia, and from 1811 until his death the country was actually run by his son, George IV. Children could read Jean Fritz’s Can’t You Make Them Behave, King George?

Joyce Sidman (born Hartford, Connecticut, 1956) has written at least thirteen books of poetry for children. She received a 2011 Newbery Honor Award for Dark Emperor and Other Poems of the Night. Another of her books is Eureka! Poems about Inventors. Children can visit her website at: Joyce Sidman.

Birthdays

Jun 052025

John Couch Adams (born Laneast, Cornwall, England, 1819; died Cambridge, England, January 21, 1892) was a mathematician and astronomer. Using only mathematics, he predicted the location of the planet Neptune in 1845. Using Adams’s calculations, Johann Gottfried Galle, spied Neptune for the first time on September 23, 1846.

Allan Ahlberg (born England, 1938) has written at least 140 books for children. His wife Janet illustrated many of his books until she died in 1994. One of their collaborations is Each Peach Pear Plum. He also wrote The Jolly Postman.

Dr. Jill Biden

Jill Biden (born Hammonton, New Jersey, 1951) became America’s First Lady on January 20, 2021, concluding her role on January 20, 2025. She is the wife of former president Joe Biden. Dr. Jill Biden, Ed. D., is also a community college instructor. She was America’s Second Lady from January 20, 2009, to January 20, 2017 when Joe Biden was Vice President. Children can learn more at: Dr. Jill Biden.

. Books by Franklyn Bradley

Franklyn Branley (born New Rochelle, New York, 1915; died New Brunswick, Maine, May 5, 2002) wrote at least 115 books for children. Most of his books were about science, especially astronomy.

Kyle Lukoff (born Skokie, Illinois, 1984) has written at least eleven books for children. His book Too Bright to See received a 2022 Newbery Honor Award.

Rick Riordan (born San Antonio, Texas, 1964) writes books for young adults. His Percy Jackson and the Olympians series is extremely popular. Children can visit his website at: Rick Riordan.

Much Loved and Often Read Book by Richard Scarry

Richard Scarry (born Boston, Massachusetts, 1919; died Gstaad, Switzerland, April 30, 1994) was a children’s author and illustrator. He wrote more than 300 books, and over 100 million copies of his books were sold. His books include Busy, Busy Town and Bananas Gorilla. Children could learn more at: Richard Scarry.

Socrates (born Athens, 469 BC; died Athens, 399 BC) was a philosopher and a teacher. One of his most famous sayings is “the unexamined life is not worth living.” Idea: Children could find out more about the Socratic method of teaching at: Socrates.

Birthdays

Jun 062025

Verna Aardema (born New Era, Michigan, 1911; died Fort Myers, Florida, August 15, 2000) wrote at least 32 books for children. She specialized in folk tales and stories from different cultures. Her works include Tales from the Third Ear and The Sky-God Stories. She wrote Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People’s Ears: A West African Tale. The illustrators of that story, Leo and Diane Dillon, received the 1976 Caldecott Medal. Children could learn more at: Verna Aardema.

Sarah Dessen (born Evanston, Illinois, 1970) has written at least fifteen novels and novellas for young adults. Her books include The Summer and The Moon and More. Young adults can visit her website at: Sarah Dessen.

Nathan Hale (born Coventry, Connecticut, 1755; hanged by the British in Manhattan, New York, September 22, 1776) was an American patriot. Nathan and his five brothers had joined the American army in 1775. He quickly rose to the office of captain. George Washington asked for a volunteer to go behind enemy lines to gather information about British General William Howe’s military plans. Nathan stepped forward. Disguised as a Dutch teacher, he gathered information. However, he was caught in New York City before he could return to the general’s headquarters. He is famous for saying, ” I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.” Children could learn more at: Nathan Hale.

Will James (born Joseph Ernest Nephtali Dufault in Quebec Province, Canada, 1892; died Hollywood, California, September 3, 1942) was a cowboy, artist, and writer. He wrote and illustrated approximately 23 books. He received the 1927 Newbery Medal for Smoky the Cowhorse.

Geraldine McCaughrean (born London, England, 1951) has written over 170 books for children and young adults. She received the 2008 Michael L. Printz Award for The White Darkness. Children can visit her website at: Geraldine McCaughrean.

Cynthia Rylant (born Hopewell, Virginia, 1954) has written more than 100 books for children. She is known for her excellent Henry and Mudge books. A Fine White Dust received a 1987 Newbery Honor Award, and Missing May was the 1993 Newbery Medal winner. Children can learn more at: Cynthia Rylant.

Peter Spier (born Amsterdam, Netherlands, 1927; died Port Jefferson, New York, April 27, 2017) was an author and illustrator of at least 46 children’s books. One of his best known works is Noah’s Ark, which won the 1977 Caldecott Medal.

Birthdays

Jun 072025

Virginia Apgar (born Westfield, New Jersey 1909; died New York, New York, August 7, 1974) was a physician who developed the Apgar Score. Newborn babies receive the test, and doctors can then identify those infants who need special attention. The Apgar measures five quick checks at one minute, five minutes, and ten minutes. Children could learn more at: Virginia Apgar.

Gwendolyn Elizabeth Brooks (born Topeka, Kansas, 1917; died Chicago, Illinois, December 3, 2000) was the first African-American to win the Pulitzer Prize for poetry. Her book, Annie Allen, took the prize in 1950. Children could read some of her poems at: http://www.poemhunter.com/gwendolyn-brooks/. They could also read A Song for Gwendolyn Brooks, written by Alice Faye Duncan and illustrated by Xia Gordon.

View of the Beach at Bellangenay

Paul Gauguin (born Paris, France, 1848; died Atoana, Hiva Ova, Marquesas, May 9, 1903) was an artist. He used bold colors and often painted landscapes. He was a stockbroker before he became a painter. He moved to Tahiti about three years after he became an artist. Visit a website at: Paul Gauguin. Idea: Children could view Gauguin’s work. He and van Gogh actually shared a house for a while. Children could compare the two artists’ works.

Nikki Giovanni (born Knoxville, Tennessee, 1943) is an African-American poet and writer. Her works for children include The Sun Is so Quiet and Lincoln and Douglass: An American Friendship. Her book Rosa, a tribute to Rosa Parks, was illustrated by Bryan Collier. He received a 2006 Caldecott Honor Award, as well as the Coretta Scott King Award for Illustrators. Children could visit her website at: Nikki Giovanni.

Georgess McHargue (born New York, New York, 1941; died Groton, Massachusetts, July 18, 2011) wrote at least 25 books for children. Her works include See You Later, Crocodile and The Talking Table Mystery.

Birthdays

Jun 082025

Tim Berners-Lee (born London, England, 1955) is a computer scientist and is credited with creating the World Wide Web. Children could view some of his TED talks at: Tim Berners-Lee.

Barbara Bush

Barbara Bush (born Rye, New York, 1925; died Houston, Texas, April 17, 2018) was America’s First Lady from January 20, 1989 to January 20, 1993. She was the wife of George Bush, forty-first president of the United States. Because her husband’s occupations revolved around either the oil business or politics, they moved frequently. She counted 29 moves. While she was First Lady, she strove to improve literacy in America. While she was the wife of the forty-first president, she was also the mother of the forty-third president. Children can visit a website at: Barbara Bush.

Francis Crick (born Northampton, England, 1916; died San Diego, California, July 28, 2004) discovered with James Watson the structure of DNA. He, along with Watson and Maurice Wilkins, received the 1962 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. Children can learn more at: Francis Crick.

William Few (born near Baltimore, Maryland, 1748; died Beacon, New York, July 16, 1828) represented Georgia at the Constitutional Convention. He was a U.S. senator, and then he and his family moved to New York, where he was active in politics and the economy. Children could learn more at: William Few.

Ida Saxton McKinley

Ida Saxton McKinley (born Canton, Ohio, 1847; died Canton, Ohio, May 26, 1907) was America’s First Lady from March 4, 1897 to September 14, 1901. She was the wife of William McKinley, twenty-fifth president of the United States. Children can learn more at: Ida McKinley.

Carolyn Meyer (born Lewistown, Pennsylvania, 1935) has written at least 50 books for children and young adults. She writes historical fiction and biographies. Her books include the Royals series and The True Adventures of Charley Darwin. Children can visit her website at: Carolyn Meyer.

Judy Sierra (born Falls Church, Virginia, 1945) has written at least 50 books for children. Her books include Wild About Books and Tasty Baby Belly Buttons. Children can visit her website at: Judy Sierra.

Frank Lloyd Wright (born Richland Center, Wisconsin, 1867; died Phoenix, Arizona, April 9, 1959) was a revolutionary architect. He believed a house and its surroundings should blend together. One of his most famous designs was Fallingwater in western Pennsylvania where a house was designed around a small stream and waterfall. Children could learn more by reading Frank Lloyd Wright for Kids: His Life and Ideas, 21 Activities by Kathleen Thorne Thomsen.

Birthdays

Jun 092025

Amedeo Avogadro

Amedeo Avogadro (born Turin, Italy, 1776; died Turin, Italy, July 9, 1856) was a chemist and a physicist. From 1820 until his death he was a professor at the University of Turin. His research led to Avogadro’s Law: two gases at the same pressure and temperature will have the same number of molecules. He also created Avogadro’s Constant, the Mole.

Johann Gottfried Galle (born Prussia, 1812; died Potsdam, Germany, July 10, 1910) was an astronomer. Using the calculations of John Couch Adams, he became the first person to find and see Neptune on September 23, 1848.

Gregory Maguire (born Albany, New York, 1954) has written at least 23 books for children and 13 books for adults. He has also written at least 10 short stories and three books of nonfiction. His books include The Wicked Years series and Missing Sisters. Children can visit his website at: Gregory Maguire.

Cole Porter (born Peru, Indiana, 1892; died Santa Monica, California, October 15, 1964) was a composer and lyricist. He published his first song when he was ten years old. Two of his Broadway musicals are Can Can and Kiss Me Kate.

Birthdays

Jun 102025

Courbet self-portrait with dog

Gustave Courbet (born Ornans, France, 1819; died La Tour-de-Peliz, Switzerland, December 31, 1877) was a Realist painter. Many of his works can be seen at: Gustave Courbet.

Pauline Cushman (born Harriet Wood, New Orleans, Louisiana, 1833; died San Francisco, California, December 2, 1893) was an actress and spy for the Union army during the Civil War. She befriended Confederate officials, gained their secrets, and then passed on the information to the North. She was captured twice. A photo shows her in a Union uniform, and she was wounded twice. Abraham Lincoln made her an honorary major in the Union army. She became “Miss Major Pauline Cushman.”

Charlotte Herman (born Chicago, Illinois, 1937) has written at least 23 books for children. Her works include the Max Malone series and My Chocolate Year.

Maurice Sendak (born Brooklyn, New York, 1928; died Danbury, Connecticut, May 8, 2012) wrote and/or illustrated over 150 books for children. He received SEVEN Caldecott Honor Awards: in 1954 for A Very Special House, in 1959 for What Do You Say, Dear?, in 1960 for The Moon Jumpers, in 1962 for Little Bear’s Visit, in 1963 for Mr. Rabbit and the Lovely Present, in 1971 for In the Night Kitchen, and in 1982 for Outside Over There. He earned the 1964 Caldecott Medal for the classic Where the Wild Things Are. The Laura Ingalls Wilder Medal was presented to him in 1983. He was also awarded the 1970 Hans Christian Andersen Medal for his body of work, and he received the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award in 2003. Children can learn more about his life and books at: Maurice Sendak.

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