Birthdays

Jul 302025

Ann Brashares (born Alexandria, Virginia, 1967) writes books for young adults. Her books include The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series. Young adults can visit her website at: Ann Brashares.

Emily Bronte (born Thornton, Yorkshire, England, 1818; died Haworth, Yorkshire, England, December 19, 1848) was an author. She wrote only one novel, Wuthering Heights. She also wrote poetry. Children can read her works at: Project Gutenberg.

Henry Ford on His Quadricycle

Henry Ford (born Dearborn Township, Michigan, 1863; died Dearborn Township, Michigan, April 7, 1947) created the assembly line for making cars. He became wealthy from selling so many cars. Children can learn more at: Henry Ford.

Henry Moore (born Castleford, Yorkshire, England, 1898; died Much Hadham, Hertfordshire, England, August 31, 1986) was an artist and sculptor. He is best known for his large, metal sculptures of human figures. Children can view some of his works at: Henry Moore.

Marcus Pfister (born Bern, Switzerland, 1960) writes and illustrates books for children. He is well-known for his Rainbow Fish series, started in 1992. His works have been translated into 60 languages, and he has sold over 30 million copies. Children can visit his website at: Marcus Pfister.

Pat Schories (born Batavia, New York, 1952) writes and illustrates books for children. She illustrates the Biscuit series and the wordless book Jack series. Children can visit her website at: Pat Schories.

Vladimir Kosma Zworykin (born Murom, Russia, 1889; died Princeton, New Jersey, July 29, 1982) came to the United States in 1919. In 1920 he headed a Westinghouse Electric Company team and developed the television camera and picture tube. He was also very important in research leading to the electron microscope. Idea: Children certainly enjoy television. They could record how much television they watch in a week.

Birthdays

Jul 312025

Lynne Reid Banks (born London, England, 1929; died Surrey, England, April 4, 2024) wrote close to 50 books for children, young adults, and adults. She wrote The Indian in the Cupboard series and Bad Cat Good Cat. Children can visit her website at: Lynne Reid Banks.

Muriel Feelings (born Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1938; died Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, September 30, 2011) wrote books for children. She and her former husband Tom produced two still-popular books. Moja Means One: Swahili Counting Book earned a 1972 Caldecott Honor Award. Jambo Means Hello: Swahili Alphabet Book received a 1975 Caldecott Honor Award as well.

Stephanie Kwolek (born New Kensington, Pennsylvania, 1923; died Wilmington, Delaware, June 18, 2014) was a chemist. She is best known for inventing Kevlar, an extremely strong material. One use for Kevlar is in bullet-proof vests. She received seventeen patents. Children could learn more at: Stephanie Kwolek.

Lynne Rae Perkins (born Cheswick, Pennsylvania, 1956) writes and illustrates books for children. Her book Criss Cross received the 2006 Newbery Medal. She also wrote All Alone in the Universe. Children could visit her website at: Lynn Rae Perkins.

J. K. Rowling (born Joanne Kathleen Rowling in Bristol, England, 1965) is the author of the Harry Potter series. Harry Potter was also born on this day. Children could visit her website at: J. K. Rowling.

Robert Kimmel Smith (born Brooklyn, New York, 1930; died Manhattan, New York, April 20, 2020) wrote books for children. His books include Chocolate Fever and The War with Grandpa. Children could learn more at a website devoted to him: Robert Kimmel Smith.

Birthdays

Aug 012025

William Clark

William Clark (born Caroline County, Virginia, 1770; died St. Louis, Missouri, September 1, 1838) was an explorer. He and Meriwether Lewis headed the Corps of Discovery into the Louisiana Purchase from 1804 to 1806. Later he fought in the War of 1812 and then became governor of the Missouri Territory. Children would learn a great deal from Lewis and Clark for Kids: Their Journey of Discovery with 21 Activities by Janis Herbert.

Gail Gibbons (born Oak Park, Illinois, 1944) is a children’s author and illustrator. She has written over 170 books, including Tell Me, Tree. Children can visit her website at: Gail Gibbons.

Francis Scott Key (born Frederick County, Maryland, 1779; died Baltimore, Maryland, January 11, 1843) was a lawyer and a poet. He wrote The Star-Spangled Banner in 1814 after watching the British bombard Fort McHenry during the War of 1812. Children can find out more at: Francis Scott Key.

Herman Melville (born New York, New York, 1819; died New York, New York, September 28, 1891) was a novelist. One of his best known works is Moby Dick. Children can read many of his works, including Moby Dick, at: Project Gutenberg.

Maria Mitchell (born Nantucket, Massachusetts, 1818; died Lynn, Massachusetts, June 28, 1889) was the first woman professional astronomer. She discovered a comet in 1847, and she became a professor of astronomy at Vassar. Older children can learn more at: Maria Mitchell. They could also read books by her and about her at: Project Gutenberg.

Bill Wallace (born Chickasha, Oklahoma, 1947; died Chickasha, Oklahoma, January 30, 2012) wrote 31 books for children. His works include A Dog Named Kitty and The Legend of Thunderfoot.

Birthdays

Aug 022025

James Arthur Baldwin (born New York, New York, 1924; died Saint Paul-de-Vence, France, November 30, 1987) was a noted African-American writer. One of his most famous works is Go Tell It on the Mountain.

Vera Brosgol (born Moscow, Russia, 1984) illustrates books for children. She is also known as Verabee. Her works include Be Prepared! and The Little Guys. She received a 2016 Caldecott Honor Award for Leave Me Alone!

Holling C. Holling (born Holling Allison Clancy in Holling Corners, Michigan, 1900; died September 7, 1973) was a children’s author and illustrator. He received a 1942 Caldecott Honor Award for Paddle-to-the-Sea. He also received two Newbery Honor Awards: one in 1949 for Seabird, and one in 1952 for Minn of the Mississippi. He and his wife also created World Museum comic strips in the 1930s that promoted history and creativity. Children could learn more at: Holling C. Holling.

James Howe (born Oneida, New York, 1946) has written over 90 books for children and young adults. His books include the Bunnicula series and There’s a Monster under My Bed. He received the 2007 E. B. White Read Aloud Award for Houndsley and Catina. Children could learn more at: James Howe.

Pierre Charles L’Enfant (born Paris, France, 1754; died Prince Georges County, Maryland, June 14, 1825) was an American Revolutionary War hero and an architect. He drew up the plans for Washington, DC.

Christian Robinson (born 1986) has illustrated at least seventeen books for children. His illustrations in Last Stop on Market Street earned him a 2016 Caldecott Honor Award, a Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award, and a Charlotte Zolotow Award. Children can learn more at: Christian Robinson.

Smokey Bear

Smokey Bear was “born” in 1944. The United States Forest Service created Smokey to teach children about preventing forest fires. Children can visit a VERY INTERESTING website at: https://smokeybear.com/en/smokey-for-kids.

Birthdays

Aug 032025

Mary Calhoun (born Keokuk, Iowa, 1926; died Boulder, Colorado, October 27, 2015) wrote more than 50 children’s books. Her works include Hot-Air Henry and Katie John.

Nicholas Gilman

Nicholas Gilman (born Exeter, New Hampshire, 1755; died Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, May 2, 1814) represented New Hampshire at the Constitutional Convention. During the Revolutionary War, he was with Washington at Valley Forge. After the Constitutional Convention, he served in the House of Representatives and then in the Senate. Children could learn more at: Nicholas Gilman.

Margaret (Maggie) Kuhn (born Buffalo, New York, 1905; died Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, April 22, 1995) created the Gray Panthers. She did not want to retire at the age of 65, but current laws then gave her no choice. She founded the group to fight age discrimination. Laws regarding mandatory retirement changed as a result of her activities.

Elisha Graves Otis (born Halifax, Vermont, 1811; died Yonkers, New York, April 8, 1861) was an inventor. He created the first elevator with an automatic safety device. He showed the safety of the elevator in 1854, but elevators were not used extensively until skyscrapers were built.

Ernie Pyle (born Dana, Indiana, 1900; died Ie Shima Island, Okinawa, Japan, April 18, 1945) was a journalist and war correspondent. He won a Pulitzer Prize in 1944 for his reports on the bombings in London and other World War II stories. He was killed while reporting the Pacific battles.

Birthdays

Aug 042025

Laurence Anholt (born London, United Kingdom, 1959) has written and/or illustrated more than 200 books translated into 30 languages. He often works with his wife, Catherine Anholt. Their works include Camille and the Sunflowers and Stone Girl Bone Girl. Children can visit their website at: Laurence Anholt.

Louis Armstrong (born New Orleans, Louisiana, 1901; died Corona, New York, July 6, 1971) was an influential jazz musician. Also called Satchmo, he played the trumpet. He appeared in several movies, including Hello, Dolly. Children may want to read Patricia McKissack’s Louis Armstrong: Jazz Musician. Children can learn more at: Louis Armstrong.

Joyce McDonald (born San Francisco, California, 1946) writes books for young adults. Her works include Mail-Order Kid and Shadow People. Young adults can visit her website at: Joyce McDonald.

President Barack Obama

Barack Obama (born Honolulu, Hawaii, 1961) was the 44^th President (2009-2017) of the United States. He was a member of the Illinois Senate from 1997 to 2003, and he was a United States senator from Illinois from 2005 to 2008. Children can learn more at: Barack Obama.

Percy Bysshe Shelley (born Sussex, England, 1792; drowned during a storm near Leghorn, Italy, July 8, 1822) was a lyric poet. One of his best known works is Prometheus Unbound. Young adults could read many of his works at: Project Gutenberg.

Raoul Wallenberg (born Stockholm, Sweden, 1912; presumed dead Soviet Union, July 17, 1947) was an architect. However, he is most remembered for saving 100,000 Jews from Nazi extermination during World War II. Wallenberg was arrested by the Soviets in Hungary in 1945. His arrest and death have not been fully explained.

Birthdays

Aug 052025

Armstrong on the Moon

Neil Alden Armstrong (born Wapakoneta, Ohio, 1930; died Cincinnati, Ohio, August 25, 2012) was an astronaut and the first person to walk on the moon. Children can learn more at: Neil Armstrong.

Robert Bright (born Sandwich, Massachusetts, 1902; died San Francisco, California, November 21, 1988) wrote and illustrated children’s books. He is best known for his Georgie the Ghost series.

Thomas Lynch, Jr. (born Prince George’s Parish, South Carolina, 1749; died 1779) signed the Declaration of Independence. He represented South Carolina. His father was supposed to also sign the Declaration of Independence, but he became too ill. After the younger Lynch left Philadelphia, he became sick. He and his wife decided to take an ocean voyage to improve his health. They were lost at sea in late 1779. Children could learn more at: Thomas Lynch, Jr..

Guy de Maupassant (born Normandy, France, 1850; died Paris, France, July 6, 1893) was a famous short story writer. He wrote at least 250 stories, including The Diamond Necklace, and several novels. Children can read many of his works at: Project Gutenberg.

Maud Petersham (born Kingston, New York, 1890; died Ravenna, Ohio, November 29, 1971) was, with her husband Miska, an early pioneer in children’s literature. They illustrated more than 60 books written by other authors. Then they began writing and illustrating their own works (about 100 books). They received a 1942 Caldecott Honor Award for An American ABC and then the 1946 Caldecott Medal for The Rooster Crows. Children could learn more at: Maud Petersham.

Ruth Sawyer (born Boston, Massachusetts, 1880; died Lexington, Massachusetts, June 3, 1970) wrote children’s books. She received the 1937 Newbery Medal for Roller Skates. Kate Seredy earned a 1945 Caldecott Award for her illustrations of Sawyer’s book Christmas Anna Angel. Sawyer’s son-in-law, Robert McCloskey, received a 1954 Caldecott Honor Award for his illustrations in her book, Journey Cake, Ho!. She earned the 1965 Laura Ingalls Wilder Award for her body of works. Children can learn more at: Ruth Sawyer.

Birthdays

Aug 062025

Frank Asch (born Somerville, New Jersey, 1946) is a children’s author and illustrator. He has published over 60 books; he is known for his Moonbear series.

Ox-Cart Man

Barbara Cooney (born Brooklyn, New York, 1917; died Portland, Maine, March 10, 2000) was a children’s author and illustrator. She illustrated at least 70 books. Her illustrations in Chanticleer and the Fox won the 1959 Caldecott Medal, and her illustrations in Ox-cart Man won the 1980 Caldecott Medal. Children can visit a website at: Barbara Cooney.

Sir Alexander Fleming (born Lochfield, Scotland, 1881; died London, England, March 11, 1955) was a bacteriologist. He discovered penicillin and received the 1945 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.

Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt

Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt (born Norwich, Connecticut, 1861; died Sagamore Hill, New York, September 30, 1948) was America’s First Lady from September 14, 1901 to March 4, 1909. She was the second wife of Theodore Roosevelt, twenty-sixth president of the United States. They had five children, and he also had a daughter, Alice, by his first marriage. Children could visit a website at: Edith Roosevelt. Idea: Children could investigate what the Roosevelt children did while they were living in the White House. Did they really take a pony upstairs?

Alfred, Lord Tennyson (born Somersby, Lincolnshire, England, 1809; died Aldworth, England, October 6, 1892) was a poet. Children could read many of his works at: Project Gutenberg.

Birthdays

Aug 072025

Ralph Johnson Bunche (born Detroit, Michigan, 1904; died New York, New York, December 9, 1971) was a diplomat and United Nations representative. The grandson of a former slave, he joined the United Nations in 1947. He became an undersecretary in 1955, and he received the 1950 Nobel Peace Prize for his work with Arabs and Jews. Children could read Ralph J. Bunch: Peacemaker by Patricia and Fredrick McKissack.

Betsy Byars (born Charlotte, North Carolina, 1928; died Seneca, South Carolina, February 26, 2020) wrote over 60 books for children. She wrote among other works Cracker Jackson, published in 1985. Her book Summer of the Swans received the 1971 Newbery Medal, and Wanted…Mud Blossom earned the 1962 Edgar Award for Best Juvenile Literature. Children can learn more, especially about her unique house, at: Betsy Byars.

Nathanael Greene

Nathanael Greene (born Patowomut, Rhode Island, 1742; died Savannah, Georgia, June 19, 1786) was a general during the Revolutionary War. Children could learn more at: Nathanael Greene.

Rudolf C. Ising (born Kansas City, Missouri, 1903; died Newport Beach, California, July 18, 1992) created, along with Hugh Harmon, Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies. He won an Academy Award for Milky Way, a cartoon about three kittens, in 1948. Idea: Children could make flip books.

Louis Seymour Bazett Leakey (born Kabete, Kenya, 1903; died London, United Kingdom, October 1, 1972) was an anthropologist. He and his wife Mary devoted their lives to finding out more about early human life in eastern Africa.

Coleen Salley (born Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 1929; died September 16, 2008) wrote books for children. She published her first book when she was 72 years old! Her works include the Epossumondas series and Who’s That Tripping Over My Bridge? Children can visit a website devoted to her at: Coleen Salley.

Maia Wojciechowska (born Warsaw, Poland, 1927; died Long Branch, New Jersey, June 13, 2002) wrote nineteen books for children. She wrote Shadow of a Bull, the 1965 Newbery Medal winner. Children could learn more at: Maia Wojciechowska.

Birthdays

Aug 082025

Matthew A. Henson

Matthew A. Henson (born Charles County, Maryland, 1866; died New York, New York, March 9, 1955) was an African-American explorer. He was hired to be Robert E. Peary’s valet. The two explored the Arctic region. He described his adventures in A Negro Explorer at the North Pole. Children can read the book at: Project Gutenberg.

Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings (born Washington, DC, 1896; died Saint Augustine, Florida, December 14, 1953) wrote at least eleven books and at least twenty short stories for children. Her book The Yearling received the 1939 Pulitzer Prize for fiction, and The Secret River earned a 1956 Newbery Honor Award.

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