Birthdays

 Birthdays
Feb 132025
 

Mary GrandPré (born Aberdeen, South Dakota, 1954) illustrates books for children. Her illustrations in The Noisy Paint Box: The Colors and Sounds of Kandinsky’s Abstract Art earned her a 2015 Caldecott Honor Award. She also illustrated the US editions of the Harry Potter books.

Janet Taylor Lisle (born Englewood, New Jersey, 1947; died Boston, Massachusetts, October 5, 2023) wrote books for young adults. Her work Afternoon of the Elves received a 1990 Newbery Honor Award. Her book The Art of Keeping Cool received the Scott O’Dell Award for Historical Fiction in 2001. Children can visit her website at: Janet Taylor Lisle.

William Sleator (born Havre de Grace, Maryland, 1945; died Bua Chet, Thailand, August 3, 2011) wrote science fiction books for young adults. His works include Interstellar Pig and The Green Futures of Tycho.

Simms Taback (born New York, New York, 1932; died Ventura, California, December 25, 2011) was an author and illustrator. He illustrated more than 40 books. His book There Was an Old Lady that Swallowed a Fly was a 1998 Caldecott Honor Book. Another of his books, Joseph Had a Little Overcoat, won the 2000 Caldecott Medal. Children can visit a website devoted to him at: Simms Taback.

Bess Truman

Bess Truman

Elizabeth (Bess) Virginia Wallace Truman (born Independence, Missouri, 1885; died Independence, Missouri, October 18, 1982) was America’s First Lady from April 12, 1945 to January 20, 1953. She was the wife of Harry S Truman, thirty-third president of the United States. She did not like being First Lady because she found so little privacy. Also, many people compared her to Eleanor Roosevelt, the previous First Lady. She lived the longest of all First Ladies. Older children could visit a website at: Bess Truman.

Grant Wood (born near Anamosa, Iowa, 1892; died Iowa City, Iowa, February 12, 1942) was an artist and a teacher. He is most known for his paintings about the Midwest. One of his most famous works is American Gothic. Idea: American Gothic is often parodied. Students could update American Gothic. Children can read more about him and see some of his works at: Grant Wood.

Charles “Chuck” Yeager (born Myra, West Virginia, 1923; died Los Angeles, California, December 7, 2020) was a test pilot who broke the sound barrier in 1947.

Valentine’s Day Is Celebrated in Many Parts of the World

 Events
Feb 142025
 

Created by Sandie Obrin

Valentine’s Day is celebrated in many parts of the world. Three factors may contribute to the creation of Valentine’s Day. The holiday may have roots in an ancient Roman festival, Lupercalia. One saint named Valentine secretly married couples against a Roman emperor’s wishes. Another saint named Valentine refused to worship Roman gods and was arrested. Children tossed him notes, and thus the idea of exchanging valentines began. Other people believe birds choose their mates on Valentine’s Day. Idea: Instead of buying valentines, children could make cards. They could also learn more at: Valentine’s Day.

Great Backyard Bird Count Occurs between February 14 and February 17!

 Events
Feb 142025
 

Anna’s Hummingbird in Big Bend

Great Backyard Bird Count occurs between February 14 and February 17! Children can spend as little as fifteen minutes in the backyard, identifying, counting, and photographing birds. They can submit their findings to add to the world’s knowledge of birds. Children can visit Great Backyard Bird Count. There they can find a printable bird checklist, data regarding past bird counts, and free apps to identify birds. What a fun, free, and engaging activity!

Happy Birthday, Oregon!

 Events
Feb 142025
 
Oregon State Flag

Oregon State Flag

Reverse Oregon State Flag

Reverse Oregon State Flag

Oregon became the thirty-third state of the United States in 1859. The state’s nickname is the Beaver State. Salem is the state capital, but Portland is the largest city. It is the leading state in the production of Christmas trees. It is also one of the strongest states in regard to the environment. The state is the ninth largest state, and it is 43rd in population. The square dance is the state’s official dance.

Happy Birthday, Arizona!

 Events
Feb 142025
 
Arizona State Flag

Arizona State Flag

Arizona became the forty-eighth state of the United States in 1912. The word Arizona derives from a Pima or Papago word meaning, place of small springs. It was relatively unpopulated until the wide spread use of air conditioners. It still faces the problem of water scarcity. Arizona is the sixth largest state and the fourteenth most populated. The bolo tie is the state’s official neckwear. Children could visit an Internet site at: Arizona.

Birthdays

 Birthdays
Feb 142025
 

Original Ferris Wheel at World’s Columbian Exposition

George Washington Gale Ferris (born Galesburg, Illinois, 1859; died Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, November 22, 1896) invented the Ferris wheel. He created the first Ferris wheel for the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1893. It was made to rival the Eiffel Tower.

Adam Gidwitz (born San Francisco, California, 1982) writes books for children. He received a 2017 Newbery Honor Award for The Inquisitor’s Tale: Or, The Three Magical Children and their Holy Dog. Children could visit his site at: Adam Gidwitz.

Margaret E. Knight (born York, Maine, 1838; died Framingham, Massachusetts, October 12, 1914) was a most accomplished woman inventor. One of her most-famous inventions produced flat-bottom paper bags. She received at least 27 patents, perhaps as much as 30. Children could read Marvelous Mattie: How Margaret E. Knight Became an Inventor, by Emily Arnold McCully.

George Shannon (born Caldwell, Kansas, 1952) writes books for children. His books include Frog Legs and Heart to Heart. Children can visit his website at: George Shannon.

Paul O. Zelinsky (born Evanston, Illinois, 1953) is a children’s book author and illustrator. His Rapunzel won the 1998 Caldecott Award. He has illustrated books by other authors, including Beverly Cleary and Jack Prelutsky. Children could visit his interesting website at: Paul O. Zelinsky.

World Hippo Day

 Events
Feb 152025
 

Hippopotamus

World Hippo Day is today! The day reminds us to make sure hippos survive and thrive. The animals’ name is interesting: hippos means horse and potamos means river. So the animals’ name is apt: a river horse. Two types of hippos exist today. The common hippo is on the vulnerable list and the pigmy hippo is on the endangered list. Both types exist in sub-Saharan Africa. They are the third largest land mammal, after elephants and rhinos. Children can learn more at: Hippos.

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