Birthdays

Nov 062026

James Naismith (born Almonte, Ontario, Canada, 1861; died Lawrence, Kansas, November 28, 1939) invented basketball in 1891. He was given the task of designing a game that could keep track and field athletes in shape and be played indoors during the cold winter. He created the first hoop from a peach basket, and the first basketball was actually a soccer ball. Children can read more about the original rules of the game at: Basketball Rules. Children could also read John Coy’s Hoop Genius: How a Desperate Teacher and a Rowdy Gym Class Invented Basketball.

Adolphe Sax (born Dinant, Belgium, 1814; died Paris, France, February 7, 1894) invented the saxophone and all its relatives. He became famous and wealthy. Children could watch and hear a saxophone and a HUGE saxophone being played at: Saxophone. Is the saxophone a woodwind instrument or a brass instrument?

John Philip Sousa

John Philip Sousa (born Washington, DC, 1854; died Reading, Pennsylvania, March 6, 1932) was a band conductor and a composer. He wrote, among other works, “The Stars and Stripes Forever.” Children can read about him at: Sousa.

Birthdays

Nov 072026

Sneed B. Collard, III (born Santa Barbara, California, 1959) has written at least 65 books for children. His works include The Prairie Builders: Reconstructing America’s Lost Grasslands and One Night in the Coral Sea. Children can visit his website at: Sneed B. Collard.

Marie Curie

Marie Sklodowska Curie (born Warsaw, Poland, 1867; died Savoy, France, July 4, 1934) was a physicist. She and her husband, Pierre, worked on radioactive substances. They isolated two new elements, radium and polonium. She, her husband, and a third scientist received the 1903 Nobel Prize in Physics. She was the first woman to receive any Nobel Prize. She also won the 1911 Nobel Prize in chemistry for her extended work on radium. Kathleen Krull wrote an excellent biography of the scientist, Marie Curie (Giants of Science).

Yuyi Morales (born Xalapa, Mexico, 1968) writes and illustrates book for children. Her book Just a Minute: A Trickster Tale and Counting Book received a 2004 Pura Belpre Medal. Viva Frida received a 2015 Pura Belpre Medal and a 2015 Caldecott Honor Award. In 2019 Dreamers/Sonadoras earned a Pura Belpre Medal.

Armstrong Sperry (born New Haven, Connecticut, 1897; died Hanover, New Hampshire, April 26, 1976) was a children’s author and illustrator. He wrote over 25 books, and his book Call It Courage was awarded the 1941 Newbery Medal. Children could visit his granddaughter’s website honoring her grandfather at: Armstrong Sperry

Birthdays

Nov 082026

John Dickinson

John Dickinson (born Talbot Count, Maryland, 1732; died Wilmington, Delaware, February 14, 1808) was a Revolutionary War hero. He was known as the Penman of the Revolution because of the various papers he wrote, including his twelve Letters from a Farmer in Pennsylvania. He fought at the Battle of Brandywine in Pennsylvania. After the Revolutionary War, he was governor of both Delaware and Pennsylvania, and for two months he was the governor of the two states at the same time! He helped draft the Articles of Confederation, but he knew that the country needed a strong central government. He attended the Constitutional Convention and approved the new government framework. Children could learn more at: John Dickinson.

Edmund Halley (born London, England, 1656; died Greenwich, England, January 14, 1742) was an astronomer and mathematician. Halley’s Comet is named in his honor. He first saw it in 1682. After conducting some research, he realized the comet returned approximately every 76 years. It has been sighted 28 times. The first recorded sighting was in 240 BC. Older children can learn more about Halley’s Comet at: Halley’s Comet.

Margaret Mitchell (born Atlanta, Georgia, 1900; died after being struck by a car in Atlanta, Georgia, August 16, 1949) was a writer. Her most famous book, Gone with the Wind, has sold over 30 million copies and has been translated into 30 languages. It received the 1937 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction.

Bram Stoker (born Dublin, Ireland, 1847; died London, England, April 20, 1912) was a writer. He wrote at least twelve books and many short stories. However, he is most famous for his book Dracula. You can read Dracula and other Bram Stoker works at: Project Gutenberg.

Birthdays

Nov 092026

Banneker’s Almanac

Benjamin Banneker (born near Baltimore, Maryland, 1731; died Baltimore, Maryland, October 9, 1806) was an African American known for his accomplishments in astronomy, surveying and mathematics. During the years 1791 until 1796, Banneker recorded information regarding weather, astronomy, and the tides. He compiled this information into an almanac. Other prominent Americans, including Benjamin Rush, added their own essays. The works were published, and Thomas Jefferson received a copy of the first almanac. Children can learn more at: Benjamin Banneker.

Pat Cummings (born Chicago, Illinois, 1950) is a writer and an illustrator. One of her books is Angel Baby. Her illustrations in Just Us Women, by Jeannette Caines, earned her a 1983 Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Award. Her illustrations in My Mama Needs Me, by Mildred Pitts Walter, earned Cummings the 1984 Coretta Scott King Illustrator Medal. Her book C.L.O.U.D.S. received a 1987 Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Award. Children could visit her website at: Pat Cummings.

Lois Ehlert (born Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, 1934; died Milwaukee, Wisconsin, May 25, 2021) wrote and/or illustrated at least 38 children’s books. Her Color Zoo was a Caldecott Honor Book in 1989. She also illustrated the classic Chicka Chicka Boom Boom. Children could watch a video filled with excerpts of her books at: Lois Ehlert.

Florence Sabin (born Central City, Colorado, 1871; died Denver, Colorado, October 3, 1953) was a pioneer for women in medicine. She was the first woman to earn a full professorship at a medical college, and she was the first woman to be elected to the National Academy of Sciences. She was prominent in the study of tuberculosis. She also advocated for better health rights. Older children could read a biography about her at: Florence Sabin.

Kay Thompson (born St. Louis, Missouri, 1908; died New York, New York, July 2, 1998) was an actor and an author. She wrote the Eloise series.

Birthdays

Nov 102026

Holly Black (born West Long Branch, New Jersey, 1971) is a children’s author. She and Tony DiTerlizzi wrote The Spiderwick Chronicles. Children could visit her website at: Holly Black.

Neil Gaiman (born Portchest, United Kingdom, 1960) is a children’s author and graphic novelist. His book The Graveyard Book won the Newbery Medal in 2009. Children could visit his website at: Neil Gaiman.

Martin Luther (born Eisleben, Saxony, 1483; died Eisleben, Saxony, February 18, 1546) was a priest who actually started the Protestant movement. He nailed his Ninety-Five Theses to the door of Wittenberg’s castle church on October 31, 1517. He also was an accomplished musician. He was excommunicated from the Roman Catholic Church and married a former nun, Katherine von Bora. Older children could read a transcription in English of his statements at: Ninety-Five Theses.

Kate Seredy (born Budapest, Hungary, 1899; died Middletown, New York, March 7, 1975) wrote and illustrated at least twelve books for children. In addition, she illustrated at least 50 books and textbooks written by other authors. Her The Good Master was awarded a 1935 Newbery Honor Award. The White Stag won the 1936 Newbery Medal. Then The Singing Tree was awarded a 1940 Newbery Honor Award. Her illustrations for The Christmas Anna Angel, written by Ruth Sawyer, were recognized with a 1945 Caldecott Honor Award. Notice she earned both Newbery and Caldecott Awards – quite an accomplishment! Children could learn more at: Kate Seredy.

Birthdays

Nov 112026

Abigail Adams painting by Gilbert Stuart

Abigail Smith Adams (born Weymouth, Massachusetts, 1744; died Quincy, Massachusetts, October 28, 1818) was America’s First Lady from March 4, 1797 to March 4, 1801. She was the wife of John Adams, the second president of the United States. They moved into the partially completed White House just before Adams’s term ended. Children could visit a website at: Abigail Adams. Abigail was the wife of one president (John Adams) and the mother of another president (John Quincy Adams). However, she could not even vote. Children could list possible frustrations Abigail Adams felt about the White House and the new country.

Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoyevsky (born Moscow, Russia, 1821; died St. Petersburg, Russia, February 9, 1881) was a writer. Two of his most famous works were Crime and Punishment and The Brothers Karamazov. Older children could read many of his works at: Project Gutenberg.

Detail of Cover

Peg Kehret (born La Crosse, Wisconsin, 1936) is a children’s author. Her book Small Steps: The Year I Got Polio describes her personal experiences as she battled polio. She has written at least 45 other books, including Saving Lilly and Runaway Twin. Children could visit her website at: Peg Kehret.

Anne Parrish (born Colorado Springs, Colorado, 1888; died Danbury, Connecticut, September 5, 1957) wrote at least 20 books for children. She earned three Newbery Honor Awards: in 1925 for The Dream Coach, in 1931 for Floating Island, and in 1951 for The Story of Appleby Capple. Children can learn more at: Anne Parrish.

Birthdays

Nov 122026

Auguste Rodin (born Paris, France, 1840; died Meudon, France, November 17, 1917) was a very influential sculptor. He worked mostly with the human form, and one of his most famous pieces is The Thinker. Children could visit a website at: Rodin Museum. Children can become sculptures with a minimum amount of help from adults. Children could mix one part vermiculite and one part plaster of Paris with enough water to make a mixture the consistency of pudding. They can pour the mixture into empty and clean milk cartons or other disposable containers. The mixture will solidify. Students can remove the carton and carve the solid with spoons or other tools.

Marjorie Weinman Sharmat (born Portland, Maine, 1928; died Munster, Indiana, March 12, 2019) wrote children’s books. She published at least 130 books! She, with her husband Mitchell Sharmat, wrote the Nate the Great series, which premiered in 1972. They also worked together on the Olivia Sharp series, which premiered in 1989.

Elizabeth Cady Stanton (born Johnstown, New York, 1815; died New York, New York, October 26, 1902) worked for women’s rights. Children would enjoy reading Jean Fritz’s You Want Women to Vote, Lizzie Stanton? In addition, they could learn more at: Elizabeth Cady Stanton.

Letitia Christian Tyler

Letitia Christian Tyler (born Cedar Grove, Virginia, 1790; died Washington, DC, September 10, 1842) was America’s First Lady from April 4, 1841 to September 10, 1842. She was the first wife of John Tyler, tenth president of the United States. While Tyler was pursuing a political career, she took charge of their plantation. However, bad health won over, and she became an invalid. She died in the White House. Children could visit a website at: Letitia Christian Tyler.

Birthdays

Nov 132026

Robert Louis Stevenson (born Edinburgh, Scotland, 1850; died Samoa, December 3, 1894) wrote poetry, fiction, and nonfiction. Treasure Island, first appearing in magazine installments, was published in 1883. He published The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde in 1886. Kidnapped was written in the same year. Another of his famous works was A Child’s Garden of Verses. Children can read many of his works at: Project Gutenberg. They can learn more at: Robert Louis Stevenson.

Katy Kelly (born Washington, DC, 1955) writes for children. Two of her characters are Lucy Rose and Melonhead. Children can visit her website at: Katy Kelly.

Nathaniel Benchley (born Newton, Massachusetts, 1915; died Boston, Massachusetts, December 14, 1981) wrote at least 20 children’s books, but he also wrote for adults. One of his children’s books was Welcome to Xanadu, published in 1968.

Birthdays

Nov 142026

Aaron Copland (born Brooklyn, New York, 1900; died North Tarrytown, New York, December 2, 1990) was a composer. Two of his most famous works are Fanfare for the Common Man, composed in 1942, and Appalachian Spring, composed in 1944. Older children could learn more at: Aaron Copland.

Robert Fulton (born in what is now Fulton Township, Pennsylvania, 1765; died New York, New York, February 24, 1815) did not invent the steamboat, but he did make it practical. Children could learn more at: Robert Fulton.

Leo Hendrik Baekeland (born Ghent, Belgium, 1863; died Beacon, New York, February 23, 1944) invented Bakelite, an early plastic. Today’s children find plastic all around them. They could list ten items made of plastic and then try to find out what those items were made of before plastic was around.

Mamie Eisenhower

Mamie Geneva Doud Eisenhower (born Boone, Iowa, 1896; died Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, November 1, 1979) was America’s First Lady from January 20, 1953 to January 20, 1961. She was the wife of Dwight D. Eisenhower, thirty-fourth president of the United States. Because he was a military officer for many years, they lived in a variety of places. She enjoyed her years as First Lady. Children could visit a website at: Mamie Eisenhower.

Astrid Lindgren

Astrid Lindgren (born Vimmerby, Sweden, 1907; died Stockholm, Sweden, January 28, 2002) was a children’s author. She is famous for her books about Pippi Longstocking. Children could visit a wonderful website with great photos and a wonderful timeline at: Astrid Lindgren. The Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award was created by the Swedish government in 2002 to honor children’s writers and illustrators. The award is not given for a specific work but for a lifetime of achievement. A cash prize of five million Swedish crowns (about $665,000) accompanies the award. The Swedish National Council for Cultural Affairs administers the award. The winners are announced in March in Vimmerby, Sweden, Astrid Lindgren’s hometown. The winners receive their awards in May in Stockholm, Sweden. Visit the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award website: ALMA. Children could learn more about Astrid Lindgren and the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award by consulting the Children’s Book Award Handbook, by Diana F. Marks.

Patricia Miles Martin, aka Miska Miles (born Cherokee, Kansas, 1899; died San Mateo County, California, January 2, 1986) wrote over 100 books for children. She received a 1972 Newbery Honor Award for Annie and the Old One. Other works include Small Rabbit and Gertrude’s Pocket. Children could learn more at: Miska Miles.

Claude Money Sculpture at Arboretum at Dallas

Claude Monet Sculpture at Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens

Claude Monet (born Paris, France, 1840; died Giverny, France, December 5, 1926) was a painter. One of his early paintings was entitled Impression: Sunrise. The painting conveyed his emotions regarding the scene. The title started the movement of impressionism. Children could visit a website at: Claude Monet. They could also read A Blue Butterfly: A Story about Claude Monet, by Bijou Le Tord. Idea: Students could listen to Aaron Copland’s music as they view prints of Monet’s paintings. They could find out how both creative geniuses used emotion and feelings.

Jawaharlah Nehru (born Allahabad, India, 1889; died New Delhi, India, May 27, 1964) was India’s first prime minister after it became an independent country.

William Steig (born New York, New York, 1907; died Boston, Massachusetts, October 3, 2003) was a children’s author and illustrator. He wrote, among other works, Abel’s Island which received a 1977 Newbery Honor Award, and Doctor De Soto, which received a 1983 Newbery Honor Award. His Sylvester and the Magic Pebble received the 1970 Caldecott Award, and The Amazing Bone was a 1977 Caldecott Honor Book. Notice he earned both Newbery and Caldecott Awards – quite an accomplishment! Children could learn more at: William Steig.

Birthdays

Nov 152026

Uranus

William Herschel (born Hanover, Germany, 1738; died Slough, England, August 25, 1822) was an astronomer. He discovered Uranus in 1781 and found that it rotated in a direction different from the directions of other planets. He was also active in star astronomy, and he discovered infrared radiation. Older children could learn more at: William Herschel.

Georgia O’Keefe (born Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, 1887; died Santa Fe, New Mexico, March 6, 1986) was an artist. Her works featured nature, and she often painted objects as if she was looking at something under a magnifying glass. She was married to the photographer Alfred Stieglitz. You can see her home, examine her art materials, and view great online exhibits at: Georgia O’Keefe.

Daniel Pinkwater (born Memphis, Tennessee, 1941) is a children’s author and illustrator. He has published at least 100 books, including Mrs. Noodlekugel. One of his latest books is Crazy in Poughkeepsie. Children can visit his website where you can hear him read several of his books: Daniel Pinkwater.

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