Birthdays

Nov 162026

Jean Fritz (born Hankow, China, 1915; died Sleepy Hollow, New York, May 14, 2017) was a children’s author of at least 36 books. She wrote among other works Homesick: My Own Story (Newbery Honor Book), 1982. She received the 1986 Laura Ingalls Wilder Award for her body of work. Children could learn more at: Jean Fritz.

W. C. Handy (born William Christopher Handy in Florence, Alabama, 1873; died New York, New York, March 28, 1958) was known as the “Father of the Blues.” One of his most famous works is St. Louis Blues, composed in 1914.

James McHenry (born Ireland, 1753; died Baltimore, Maryland, May 3, 1816) represented Maryland at the Constitutional Convention. During the Revolutionary War, he was an army surgeon and an aide to George Washington and the Marquis de Lafayette. After the war, he became active in politics. For some time he served simultaneously in Maryland’s senate and in Congress. For four years he served as Secretary of War during George Washington’s administration and into the start of John Adams’s administration. Fort McHenry is named after him. Children can learn more at: James McHenry.

Robin McKinley (born Warren, Ohio, 1952) has written about 20 books for young adults. Her The Blue Sword was a Newbery Honor Book in 1983, and The Hero and the Crown was the Newbery Medal winner in 1985. Young adults can read some beginning chapters of new books at: Robin McKinley.

Carolyn Reeder (born Washington, DC, 1937; died Washington, DC, January 20, 2012) wrote about ten books for children. Her book Shades of Gray received the 1990 Scott O’Dell Award for Historical Fiction.

Barbara Reid (born Toronto, Canada, 1957) writes and illustrates books for children. She illustrated, among other works, Effie, published in 1990. Her works also include Welcome Baby and The Subway Mouse. She uses plasticine as an art medium, and she generously shares her ideas at her website. Her videos are a must-see at: Barbara Reid.

Miroslav Sasek (born Prague, Czechia, 1918; died Wettingen, Switzerland, May 28, 1980) wrote books for children. He is most famous for his eighteen This Is…books (This is Paris, This Is Ireland, etc.). Children can learn more at: Miroslav Sasek.

Birthdays

Nov 172026

Flat strip, Moebius Strip, Moebius Strip after one cut

August Ferdinand Moebius (born Schulpforte, Germany, 1790; died Leipzig, Germany, September 26, 1868) was a mathematician. He was especially interested in topology, a branch of mathematics that involves space and surfaces. Children can participate in an interesting topology problem by seeing if they can peel an orange so that the peel stays in one piece. They can also learn about a Moebius Strip at: Moebius Strip.

Christopher Paolini (born New York, 1983) writes fantasy for young adults. He is best known for his Inheritance Cycle. His website is filled with information and activities: Christopher Paolini.

Birthdays

Nov 182026

Louis Jacques Mande Daguerre (born Cormeilles-en-Parisis, France, 1787; died near Paris, France, July 10, 1851) invented the first useful method of photography, the daguerreotype.

Sir William Schwenck Gilbert (born London, England, 1836; died May 29, 1911) was half of the famous Gilbert and Sullivan creative forces. Children could listen to some of the Gilbert and Sullivan operettas, possibly The Pirates of Penzance. They could read the operettas at: Project Gutenberg.

Alan Shepard

Alan Shepard (born East Derry, New Hampshire, 1923; died Monterey, California, July 21, 1998) was an astronaut and the first United States citizen to travel in space. In addition, he commanded Apollo 14 and spent 33 hours on the moon. Children could learn more at: Alan Shepard.

Birthdays

Nov 192026

Roy Campanella (born Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1921; died Woodland Hills, California, June 26, 1993) was a great baseball player. One of the first African American major leaguers, he was the National League MVP in 1951, 1953, and 1955. He was paralyzed in a car accident in 1958. He became even more famous as a spokesperson for the handicapped. He entered the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1969. Children could learn more at: Roy Campanella.

George Rogers Clark (born Albemarle County, Virginia, 1752; died Louisville, Kentucky, February 13, 1818) was a frontiersman. He was also a hero during the Revolutionary War. Children could learn more at: George Rogers Clark National Historical Park.

Indira Priyadarshini Gandhi (born Allahabad, India, 1917; died New Delhi, India, October 31, 1984) was the first female prime minister of India. The only child of Jawaharlal Nehru, she served as prime minister from 1966 to 1977 and from 1980 until her assassination in 1984.

James Abram Garfield (born near Orange, Ohio, 1831; died Elberon, New Jersey, September 19, 1881) was the twentieth president (1881) of the United States. Born in a log cabin, he grew up to be a lawyer and a professor. At age thirty he was the youngest general of the Civil War. He was elected to Congress and became the darkhorse candidate for the presidency. Garfield won by one-tenth of one percent of the votes. He was assassinated in office by Charles J. Guiteau, who had unsuccessfully sought a job appointment from Garfield. Children could visit a website at: James Garfield. They could find out if the Secret Service was around during Garfield’s time. How is the president protected today?

Jack Schaefer (born Cleveland, Ohio, 1907; died Santa Fe, New Mexico, January 24, 1991) was an author. He wrote Shane. He also wrote Old Ramon; the book received a 1961 Newbery Honor Award. Children could visit a website at: Jack Schaefer.

Birthdays

Nov 212026

Josiah Bartlett (born Amesbury, Massachusetts, 1729; died Kingston, May 19, New Hampshire, 1795) signed the Declaration of Independence. A physician, he represented New Hampshire. He was the first representative to vote for independence and the first representative to approve the Declaration of Independence. During the Revolutionary War he aided wounded soldiers. After the war, Bartlett was governor of New Hampshire from 1790 to 1794. Children could learn more at: Josiah Bartlett.

Stanley “Stan the Man” Musial (born Donora, Pennsylvania, 1920; died Ladue, Missouri, January 19, 2013) was a Baseball Hall of Fame outfielder and first baseman. He played for the Saint Louis Cardinals from 1941 to 1944. After completing his military duty in 1945, he returned to the Cardinals and played for them from 1946 to 1963. Children could learn more about him at: Stan Musial.

Leo Politi (born Fresno, California, 1908; died Fresno, California, March 26, 1996) was a children’s author and illustrator. His Pedro: The Angel of Olvera Street received the 1947 Caldecott Honor Award. Next, Juanita was chosen to be a 1949 Caldecott Honor Award book. Finally, Song of the Swallows won the 1950 Caldecott Medal. Children can learn more at: Leo Politi.

Elizabeth George Speare (born Melrose, Massachusetts, 1908; died Tucson, Arizona, November 15, 1994) was a children’s author. She is one of only six authors who have earned two Newbery Medals. She received the 1959 Newbery Medal for The Witch of Blackbird Pond. In 1962 she won another Newbery Medal for The Bronze Bow, She also wrote The Sign of the Beaver, which was a 1984 Newbery Honor Book and the recipient of the Scott O’Dell Award for Historical Fiction. In 1989 Speare received the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award of her contributions to children’s literature. Children could learn more at: Elizabeth George Speare.

Margaret Whalen Turner (born 1965) writes fantasy for young adults. Her book The Thief earned a 1997 Newbery Honor Award. Other books include The Queen of Attolia and The King of Attolia. Young adults can visit her website: Megan Whalen Turner.

Birthdays

Nov 222026

Sieur de La Salle (born Rouen, France, 1643; died in Texas, March 19, 1687) was an explorer. He traveled down the Mississippi River to the Gulf of Mexico. He claimed all the lands that emptied into the Mississippi River for France. Children could view an excellent video at: Sieur de La Salle.

Abraham Baldwin (born North Guilford, Connecticut, 1754; died Washington, DC, March 4, 1807) represented Georgia at the Constitutional Convention. He was a chaplain during the Revolutionary War. After the war, he became an attorney and moved to Georgia. He decided to be a politician, and during the Constitutional Convention he kept the discussion going regarding Congress. He served in the House of Representatives for ten years and the Senate for eight years when he died during his second term. Children can learn more at: Abraham Baldwin.

Guion S. Bluford, Jr. (born Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1942) is the first African American astronaut to travel in space. He was a mission specialist on four space shuttle missions: STS-8. STS-61-A, STS-39, and STS-53. Children could visit a website at: Guion Bluford.

George Eliot (born Mary Ann Evans in Chilvers Coton, Warwickshire, England, 1819; died Chelsea, England, December 22, 1880) was a poet, journalist, and novelist. Two of her seven novels are Silas Marner and Middlemarch. Older children can read many of her works at: Project Gutenberg.

Jerrie Mock (born Newark Ohio, 1925; died Quincy, Florida, September 30, 2014) was an aviator, most known as the first woman to fly solo around the world. She took off from Columbus, Ohio, on March 19, 1964. Over 29 days later, she returned to Columbus on April 17, 1964. She also accomplished a number of other aviation records. Children could learn more at: Jerrie Mock. They could also read The Jerrie Mock Story: The First Woman to Fly Solo around the World by Nancy Roe Pimm.

Wiley Post (born Grand Plain, Texas, 1898; died near Port Barrow, Alaska, August 15, 1935) was an early aviator and stunt parachutist. The self-taught pilot flew the Winnie Mae. He co-authored, along with his navigator Harold Gatty, Around the World in Eight Days. He and Will Rogers were traveling from Fairbanks, Alaska, to Point Barrow, Alaska, when their plane crashed.

Birthdays

Nov 232026

Franklin Pierce

Franklin Pierce (born Hillsboro, New Hampshire, 1804; died Concord, New Hampshire, October 8, 1869) was the fourteenth president (1853-1857) of the United States. He was a darkhorse candidate, facing General Winfield Scott. One of his accomplishments was the Gadsden Purchase. Children can visit a website at: Franklin Pierce.

Edward Rutledge (born Charleston, South Carolina, 1749; died Charleston, South Carolina, January 23, 1800) signed the Declaration of Independence. He had studied law in England before he returned to South Carolina. He was the youngest signer of the document (26 years old). Other members of his family also became ardent patriots. He was defending South Carolina when he was captured and placed in a prison in Florida for over a year. The British were so outraged at his family’s activities that they imprisoned his mother, Sarah Hext Rutledge, in Charleston. After the war, he served as governor of South Carolina from 1798 to 1800. Children could learn more at: Edward Rutledge.

Marc Simont (born Paris, France, 1915; died Cornwall, Connecticut, July 13, 2013) was a political cartoonist, artist, and illustrator of children’s books. In 1950 he received a Caldecott Honor Award for The Happy Day, written by Ruth Kraus. He won a Caldecott Medal in 1957 for A Tree is Nice, written by Janice May Udry, and he won another Caldecott Medal in 2002 for his book, The Stray Dog. He also illustrated the first 20 Nate the Great books. Children can learn more at: Marc Simont.

Gloria Whelan (born Detroit, Michigan, 1923) has written at least 50 books for children and adults. Her children’s books include A Clearing in the Forest and Bringing the Farmhouse Home. Children could explore her website: Gloria Whelan.

Birthdays

Nov 242026

Frances Hodgson Burnett (born Cheetham Hill, Manchester, England, 1849; died Plandome, Long Island, New York, October 29, 1924) wrote at least 35 books, some of which were works for children and some of which were romantic adult novels. Three of her most famous works for children are Little Lord Fauntleroy, published in 1886, A Little Princess, published in 1905, and The Secret Garden, printed in 1910. The Secret Garden is truly a classic. Carolyn Strom Collins and Christina Wyss Eriksson wrote a wonderful book, Inside the Secret Garden: A Treasury of Crafts, Recipes, and Activities, to accompany the original book. Children can access many of Burnett’s writings at: Project Gutenberg. They can learn more at: Frances Hodgson Burnett.

Carlo Collodi (born Carlo Lorenzini in Florence, Italy, 1826; died Florence, Italy, October 26, 1890) wrote The Adventures of Pinocchio in 1883. Children can read his works at: Project Gutenberg.

Mordicai Gerstein (born Los Angeles, California, 1935; died Westhampton, Massachusetts, September 24, 2019 ) wrote and/or illustrated at least 50 books for children. He illustrated the Something Queer Is Going On series by Elizabeth Levy. He received the 2004 Caldecott Medal for The Man Who Walked Between the Towers.

Scott Joplin (born Texarkana, Texas, 1868; died New York, New York, April 1, 1917) was a musician and composer. He was known for his ragtime music.

Statue of Saint Junipero Serra

Saint Junipero Serra (born Majorca, Spain, 1713; died Mission San Carlos Borromeo, California, August 28, 1784) was a Franciscan priest who established the first mission, San Diego de Alcala, in California in 1769. He also created eight other missions in California. He was beatified by Pope John Paul II on September 25, 1988, and canonized by Pope Francis on September 23, 2015.

Zachary Taylor

Zachary Taylor (born Montebello, Virginia, 1784; died Washington, DC, July 9, 1850) was the twelfth president (1849-1850) of the United States. The son of a Revolutionary War hero, he was proud of being a professional soldier. He served in the military for forty years. He was elected to the presidency, although he had no political experience. Nicknamed “Old Rough and Ready,” he died in office after serving sixteen months. He was the last of the presidents to own slaves. Children can visit a website at: Zachary Taylor.

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec (born Albi, France, 1864; died Malrome, France, September 9, 1901) was an impressionist painter. He often painted scenes about Paris’s circuses, cabarets and nightclubs. Toulouse-Lautrec also made lithographs. Children could view some of his work at: Toulouse-Lautrec.

Yoshiko Uchida (born Alameda, California, 1921; died Berkeley, California, June 21, 1992) wrote 34 books. Placed in internment camps during World War II, Uchida often explored the topics of ethnicity and racism. Her works include A Jar of Dreams and Journey to Topaz: A Story of the Japanese American Evacuation.

Birthdays

Nov 252026

Marc Brown (born Erie, Pennsylvania, 1946) is a children’s author and illustrator. He is known for his Arthur books. Children could visit his amazing website to check out some of his activities: Marc Brown.

Andrew Carnegie

Andrew Carnegie (born Dunfermline, Scotland, 1835; died Shadowbrook, Massachusetts, August 11, 1919) was an industrialist and a philanthropist. He came to America when he was twelve years old. He made a fortune in the steel industry. He donated about 350 million dollars to charity, including money to 2,500 libraries. He also built Carnegie Hall in New York City. Children could brainstorm what causes they would support if they had lots of extra money. Older children could also learn more at: Andrew Carnegie.

Shirley Climo (born Cleveland, Ohio, 1928; died Los Altos, California, August 25, 2012) was a children’s author. She published approximately 24 books, and one of her most famous books is The Egyptian Cinderella.

P. D. Eastman (born Amherst, Massachusetts, 1909; died Cresskill, New Jersey, January 7, 1986) was a children’s author and illustrator. Eastman wrote and/or illustrated at least 25 books. Children could visit a website at: P. D. Eastman.

Stephen Krensky (born Lexington, Massachusetts, 1953) is a children’s author. He has written over 100 books, including My Teacher’s Secret Life and Perfect Pigs. Children should check out his very humorous website at: Stephen Krensky.

Carrie Amelia Moore Nation (born Garrard County, Kentucky, 1846; died Leavenworth, Kansas, June 9, 1911) was a temperance leader. She felt that saloons were violating the law. Therefore, she and a few followers conceived of hatchetation. She would enter and destroy saloons with her hatchet. Older children could learn more at: Carrie Nation.

Margie Palatini (born Edison, New Jersey) is a writer and illustrator for children. Her works include Hogg, Hogg, and Hog and Geek Chic. Kids could visit her outstanding website to find all kinds of activities and even readers’ theater scripts: Margie Palatini.

Birthdays

Nov 262026

Doris Gates (born Mountain View, California, 1901; died Carmel, California, September 3, 1987) wrote books for children. She received a Newbery Honor Award for Blue Willow in 1941. Her works also include The Cat and Mrs. Cary and The Elderberry Bush. Children can learn more at: Doris Gates.

Bat Masterson (born Henryville, Quebec, Canada, 1853; died New York, New York, October 25, 1921) was a gambler and a lawman of the Old West.

Laurence Pringle (born Rochester, New York, 1935) has written at least 100 books, mostly about nature, for children. His works include Owls! Strange and Wonderful and Scorpions! Children can visit his website at: Laurence Pringle.

Charles Schulz (born Minneapolis, Minnesota, 1922; died Santa Rosa, California, February 12, 2000) was a cartoonist and the creator of Peanuts. Students could read and discuss some of the Peanuts cartoons. They could try to draw their own cartoons. Children can learn more at: http://schulzmuseum.org/.

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