Birthdays

Sep 282025

Kate Douglas Wiggin (born Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1856; died Harrow, England, August 24, 1923) established kindergartens in California. However, she is most known for being a children’s author. She wrote at least 40 books, some co-authored with her sister Nora A. Smith, for children. One of her most famous works is Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm. Children can read many of her books at: Project Gutenberg. They can also learn more at: Kate Douglas Wiggin.

Carol Lynch Williams (born Orlando, Florida, 1959) writes books for young adults. Her books include The Haven and Pretty Like Us. Young adults can visit her website at: Carol Lynch Williams.

Birthdays

Sep 292025

Stan Berenstain (born Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1923; died Bucks County, Pennsylvania, November 26, 2005) was a children’s author. He and his wife created the Berenstain Bears series. Over 300 books were published in at least 23 languages. Children could learn more at: Stan Berenstain.

Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra (born Alcala de Henares, Spain, 1547; died Madrid, Spain, April 23, 1616) was a writer. One of his most famous works is Don Quixote. Children can read many of his works at: Project Gutenberg.

Enrico Fermi (born Rome, Italy, 1901; died Chicago, Illinois, November 28, 1954) was a physicist. He immigrated to the United States in 1938. He developed the first nuclear chain reaction, and he was part of the team that developed the atomic bomb. He received the 1938 Nobel Prize in physics.

Matthew Gollub (born Culver City, California, 1960) has written at least 25 books for children. His works include The Moon Was at a Fiesta and Gobble, Quack, Moon. Children can learn more at: Matthew Gollub.

Pat the Bunny

Dorothy Kunhardt (born New York, New York, 1901; died Beverly, Massachusetts, December 23, 1979) was the author of Pat the Bunny and about 50 other books. Approximately seven million copies of Pat the Bunny, first published in 1940, have been purchased.

Marissa Moss (born Jeannette, Pennsylvania, 1959) writes and illustrates books for children. Her works include the Amelia series and Rachel’s Journal: The Story of a Pioneer Girl. Children can visit her website at: Marissa Moss.

Birthdays

Sep 302025

Edith Kunhardt Davis (born Morristown, New Jersey, 1937; died New York, New York, January 2, 2020) was an author and illustrator of children’s books. Her mother, Dorothy Kunhardt, wrote Pat the Bunney for Edith. Edith wrote 70 books and illustrated at least twelve books. Her works range from Tickle the Pig to Pompeii…Buried Alive!.

Carol Fenner (born North Hornell, New York, 1929; died Battle Creek, Michigan, February 16, 2002) wrote books for children and young adults. She received a 1979 Coretta Scott King Honor Award for Skates of Uncle Richard and a 1996 Newbery Honor Award for Yolanda’s Genius.

Hans Wilhelm Geiger (born Neustadt, Germany, 1882; died Berlin, Germany, September 24, 1945) invented the Geiger counter. Older children could find out how a Geiger counter works at: Geiger Counter.

Edgar Parin D’Aulaire (born Munich, Germany, 1898; died May 1, 1986) wrote at least 27 books for children. He worked with his wife Ingri D’Aulaire on many books. One of their most famous books was D’Aulaire’s Book of Greek Myths. They received the 1940 Caldecott Medal for Abraham Lincoln. Children can learn more at: Edgar Parin D’Aulaire.

Alvin Tresselt (born Passaic, New Jersey, 1916; died Burlington, Vermont, July 24, 2000) wrote at least 30 books for children. His works include The Mitten and White Snow Bright Snow. That book earned its illustrator Roger Duvoisin the 1958 Caldecott Medal. Children can learn more at: Alvin Tresselt.

Elie Wiesel (born Sighet, Romania, 1928; died New York, New York, July 2, 2016) was an author and a survivor of the Holocaust. He was awarded the 1986 Nobel Peace Prize for helping Holocaust victims. One of his most famous books is Night. Children could learn more at: Elie Wiesel.

Janet S. Wong (born Los Angeles, California, 1962) has published at least ten picture books, at least four novels, and at least ten poetry collections for children. Her works include You Have to Write and This Next New Year. Children can visit her website at: Janet S. Wong.

Birthdays

Oct 012025

Jimmy Carter

Jimmy Carter (born James Earl Carter in Plains, Georgia, 1924; died Plains, Georgia, December 29, 2024) was the thirty-ninth president (1977-1981) of the United States. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy and served seven years in the navy. Later he became a Georgia state senator and eventually became the state’s governor. During his presidency, he faced high inflation. He was able to negotiate the Camp David Accord between Egypt and Israel, and he received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002. Children could visit a website at: Jimmy Carter. Idea: Mr. Carter has become very involved with Habitat for Humanity. Children could research the group’s goals and how they are accomplished.

Brian P. Cleary (born Lakewood, Ohio, 1959) writes books for children. He is known for his humorous books about grammar, including Hairy, Scary, Ordinary: What Is an Adjective? Children can visit his very clever website at: Brian P. Cleary.

Caroline Lavinia Scott Harrison

Caroline Lavinia Scott Harrison (born Oxford, Ohio, 1832; died Washington, DC, October 25, 1892) was America’s First Lady from March 4, 1889 until her death on October 25, 1892. She was the first wife of Benjamin Harrison, twenty-third president of the United States. She succumbed to tuberculosis during Harrison’s fourth year as president. She helped create the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Marc Harshman (born Randolph County, Indiana, 1950) is poet laureate for the state of West Virginia, a writer of at least nine poetry anthologies, and an author of at least fourteen children’s books. His works include Only One and Red Are the Apples. Children can learn more at: Marc Harshman.

Vladimir Horowitz (born Berdichev, Russia, 1904; died New York, New York, November 5, 1989) was a famous pianist. He performed in his first concert when he was sixteen years old. He became a United States citizen when he was 44 years old. One of his most memorable recitals was when he returned to Russia on April 20, 1986.

Richard Stockton (born Princeton, New Jersey, 1730; died Princeton, New Jersey, February 8, 1781) was an attorney. Representing New Jersey, he signed the Declaration of Independence. A wealthy lawyer before the Revolutionary War, he tried to provide clothing and shoes to the soldiers. He was captured by the British and sent to a New York prison. When he was released, he was in poor health and in desperate need of money. He died before the war ended. Children could learn more at: Richard Stockton.

Birthdays

Oct 022025

Jeanne Betancourt (born Burlington, Vermont, 1941) writes books for children. She is best known for her Pony Pals series. Children can visit her website at: Jeanne Betancourt.

Charlie Brown and Snoopy (born 1950) are the creations of Charles Schulz. Their last comic strip was published on February 13, 2000.

The Pot that Juan Built

David Diaz (born Fort Lauderdale, Florida, 1960) has illustrated at least 35 books for children and has received many awards. He earned a 1997 Jane Addams Award for Wilma Unlimited, the 1995 Caldecott Medal for Smoky Night, a Pura Belpre Honor Award in 2004 for The Pot that Juan Built, a Pura Belpre Honor Award in 2006 for César: ¡Sí, Se Puede! Yes, We Can!, and a Pura Belpre Honor Award in 2010 for Diego: Bigger Than Life.

Gandhi

Mohandas Karamchand (Mahatma) Gandhi (born Porbandar, India, 1869; died New Delhi, India, January 30, 1948) led India’s fight for independence from Great Britain. Trained as a lawyer in England, Gandhi stressed the use of nonviolence. He was assassinated in his garden by a Hindu who resented Gandhi’s views about Moslems. Children could read Demi’s book, Gandhi.

Groucho Marx (born Julius Henry Marx in New York, New York, 1890; died Los Angeles, California, August 19, 1977) was an actor. He and his brothers formed the Marx Brothers. Two of their most famous movies are Animal Crackers, produced in 1930, and Duck Soup, premiering in 1933. He was also the host of an early television show, You Bet Your Life.

Dirk Zimmer (born Goslar, Germany, 1943; died Poughkeepsie, New York, September 26, 2008) illustrated children’s books. His works include In a Dark, Dark Room and Other Scary Stories and Weird Wolf.

Birthdays

Oct 032025

Natalie Savage Carlson (born Kernstown, Virginia, 1906; died Middletown, Rhode Island, September 23, 1997) wrote at least eighteen books for children. She received a 1959 Newbery Honor Award for The Family Under the Bridge. Children can learn more at: Natalie Savage Carlson.

Molly Cone (born Tacoma, Washington, 1918; died March 26, 2016) wrote over 45 books for children. Her works include the Mishmash series. and Come Back, Salmon.

James Alfred Wight Herriot (born Glasgow, Scotland, 1916; died Yorkshire, England, February 23, 1995) was a writer and veterinarian. He wrote among other works All Creatures Great and Small.

John Himmelman (born Kittery, Maine, 1959) has written and illustrated over 80 children’s books. His works include Tales of Bunjitsu Bunny and Duck to the Rescue.

Harvey Kurtzman (born Brooklyn, New York, 1924; died Mount Vernon, New York, February 21, 1993) founded Mad magazine in 1952. Idea: Children could poll parents and teachers as to their attitudes toward Mad magazine.

Thomas Clayton Wolfe (born Asheville, North Carolina, 1900; died Baltimore, Maryland, September 15, 1938) was an author. One of his most well known works is You Can’t Go Home Again.

Birthdays

Oct 042025

Julia Cunningham (born Spokane, Washington, 1916; died Santa Barbara, California, February 27, 2008) wrote books for children. Her books include Dorp Dead and The Treasure Is the Rose. Children can learn more at: Julia Cunningham.

Karen Cushman (born Chicago, Illinois, 1941) is a children’s author. Catherine, Called Birdie was a 1995 Newbery Honor book. The Midwife’s Apprentice was the 1996 Newbery Award winner. Children can visit her website at: Karen Cushman.

Rutherford B. Hayes

Rutherford B. Hayes (born Delaware, Ohio, 1822; died Fremont, Ohio, January 17, 1893) was the nineteenth president (1877-1881) of the United States. He attended Harvard Law School. During the Civil War he was wounded five times. At the end of the war, he found himself with the rank of general. He returned to Ohio and eventually became its governor. He ran for president. He lost the popular vote, but he won the Electoral College vote. He concerned himself with improving civil service, and he ended a major railroad strike. He chose to run for only one term.

Robert Lawson (born New York, New York, 1862; died Rabbit Hill, Westport, Connecticut, May 26, 1957) wrote and/or illustrated at least 45 books for children. He is the only person to earn both a Newbery Medal (in 1945 for Rabbit Hill) and a Caldecott Medal (in 1941 for They Were Strong and Good). He also received a 1958 Newbery Honor Award for The Great Wheel. Children can learn more at: Robert Lawson.

Eliza McCardle Johnson

Eliza McCardle Johnson (born Leesburg, Tennessee, 1810; died Carter’s Station, Tennessee, January 15, 1876) was America’s First Lady from April 15, 1865 to March 4, 1869. She was the wife of Andrew Johnson, seventeenth president of the United States. She was frail and did not always serve as hostess in the White House. Her daughter, Martha Johnson Patterson, took over the role for her when she was ill.

Frederic Remington (born Canton, New York, 1861; died Ridgefield, Connecticut, December 26, 1909) was an artist. He was particularly interested in the Old West. His paintings are filled with action and adventure. He is also famous for his bronze works. Children could view many of his works at: Frederic Remington.

Damon Runyon (born Manhattan, Kansas, 1884; died New York, New York, December 10, 1946) was an author and a reporter. He is famous for his witty stories, including Guys and Dolls and Butch Minds the Baby.

Donald Sobol (born New York, New York, 1924; died Miami, Florida, July 11, 2012) wrote more than 65 books for children. He was best known for his Encyclopedia Brown series. Children can learn more at: Donald Sobol.

Edward Stratemeyer (born Elizabeth, New Jersey, 1862; died Newark, New Jersey, May 10, 1930) developed the Stratemeyer Syndicate that published more than 800 books for children and young adults. His Stratemeyer Syndicate produced such series as The Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew, The Bobbsey Twins, and Tom Swift. Idea: The Tom Swift series generated puns called Tom Swifties. Children could visit a website at: Tom Swifties. Students could enjoy the puns and then create some of their own.

Birthdays

Oct 052025

Chester Alan Arthur

Chester Alan Arthur (born Fairfield, Vermont, 1830; died New York, New York, November 18, 1886) was the twenty-first president (1881-1885) of the United States. He became president after James A. Garfield was killed. During his presidency, even his own party was not happy with him. He was not renominated in 1884. Idea: Children could find out why Arthur was not renominated.

Carson Ellis (born Vancouver, Canada, 1975) writes and illustrates books for children. She wrote and illustrated Du Iz Tak? The book earned her a 2017 Caldecott Honor Award. She illustrated the Mysterious Benedict Society books.

Goddard and an Early Rocket

Robert Hutchings Goddard (born Worcester, Massachusetts, 1882; died Baltimore, Maryland, August 10, 1945) is known as the “Father of the Space Age.” He was taunted because he thought space travel was a real possibility. He designed and launched a liquid fuel powered rocket in 1926. Idea: Children could find out how today’s rockets are fueled. Older children could see how today’s rockets are fueled at: Aluminum.

Louise Fitzhugh (born Memphis, Tennessee, 1928; died Bridgewater, Connecticut, November 19, 1974) was a children’s author. She wrote, among other works, Harriet the Spy, published in 1964.

Bil Keane (born Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1922; died Paradise Valley, Arizona, November 8, 2011) was a cartoonist. He created “Family Circus.” Currently his son Jeff carries on the family tradition.

David Shannon (born Washington, DC, 1960) has written and illustrated at least 35 books for children. He received the 1998 Caldecott Medal for No, David! Children can “read” his picture book A Bad Case of Stripes with Sean Astin at: http://www.storylineonline.net/

Gene Zion (born New York, New York, 1913; died New York, New York, December 5, 1975) wrote books for children. He often collaborated with his wife, Margaret Bloy Graham. Their works include Harry the Dirty Dog and Dear Garbage Man. Children can “read” Harry the Dirty Dog with Betty White at: http://www.storylineonline.net/harry-the-dirty-dog/.

Birthdays

Oct 062025

Seven Brave Women

Betsy Hearne (born Wilsonville, Alabama, 1942) is an instructor, poet, and author. She writes for both adults and children. She received the 1998 Jane Addams Award for Seven Brave Women.

Thor Heyerdahl (born Larvik, Norway, 1914; died Colla Micheri, Italy, April 18, 2002) was an ethnologist and an adventurer. He built and sailed the Kon-Tiki. He and five others sailed from Peru to eastern Polynesia on the balsa raft to prove that natives of South America could have settled the islands.

Susan Meddaugh (Montclair, New, Jersey, 1944) writes and illustrates books for children. She created the popular Martha Speaks series and Lulu’s Hat.

Florence Seibert

Florence Seibert (born Easton, Pennsylvania, 1897; died St. Petersburg, Florida, August 23, 1991) was a doctor and biochemist. She isolated a form of tuberculin that could be used in TB tests. Idea: The school nurse could talk to the class about the importance of the tuberculosis test. Children could learn more at: Florence Seibert.

Elizabeth Gray Vining (born Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1902; died Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, November 27, 1999) was a children’s author, writing 60 books. Using the pseudonym of Elizabeth Gray, she wrote Adam of the Road, which received the 1943 Newbery Medal. Children can learn more at: Elizabeth Gray Vining.

George Westinghouse (born Central Bridge, New York, 1846; died New York, New York, March 12, 1914) was an inventor. He held over 400 patents, and he created Westinghouse Electric Company. At one time his company employed about fifty thousand people.

Birthdays

Oct 072025

Niels Bohr (born Copenhagen, Denmark, 1885; died Copenhagen, Denmark, November 18, 1962) developed the theory of atomic structure. He received the 1922 Nobel Prize for his work. Later he studied the nucleus of atoms and quantum mechanics. Idea: Children could draw a model of an atom and learn about its various energy levels. Older children could learn more at: Niels Bohr.

Alice Dalgliesh (born Trinidad, British West Indies, 1893; died Woodbury, Connecticut, June 11, 1979) wrote, illustrated, and/or edited at least 40 books for children. She received three Caldecott Honor Awards: in 1945 for The Silver Pencil, in 1953 for The Bears on Hemlock Mountain, and in 1955 for The Courage of Sarah Noble. Children can learn more at: Alice Dalgliesh.

William Samuel Johnson

William Samuel Johnson (born Stratford, Connecticut, 1727; died Stratford, Connecticut, November 14, 1819) represented Connecticut at the Constitutional Convention. A lawyer, he helped present the Connecticut Compromise (two branches of Congress). Later he became a US senator. He lived to be the oldest signer of the Constitution. Children could learn more at: William Samuel Johnson.

Yo-Yo Ma (born Paris, France, 1955) is a cellist. He was performing before audiences by age five. He has produced 75 albums, and he received the US Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2001.

James Whitcomb Riley (born Greenfield, Indiana, 1849; died Indianapolis, Indiana, July 22, 1916) was known as the “Hoosier” poet. Idea: Students could read some of his poetry. Children could read many of his works at: Project Gutenberg.

Caesar Rodney

Caesar Rodney (born Dover, Delaware, 1728; died Dover, Delaware, June 26, 1784) signed the Declaration of Independence. He represented Delaware. A wealthy man, he served as a sheriff, a member of the legislature, and a judge (even though he was not a lawyer). He fought in the Revolutionary War, and for a while he was governor of Delaware. Children could learn more at: Caesar Rodney.

Desmond Tutu (born Klerksdrop, South Africa, 1931; died Capetown, South Africa, December 26, 2021) was the archbishop of South Africa and a civil rights activist. He received many awards, including the 1984 Nobel Peace Prize and the 2009 US Presidential Medal of Freedom. Older children could learn more at: Desmond Tutu.

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