Birthdays

 Birthdays
Jul 132026
 

Marcia Brown (born Rochester, New York, 1918; died Laguna Hills, California, April 28, 2015) was an author and illustrator. She created more than 30 books. She received three Caldecott Medals: Cinderella in 1955; Once a Mouse in 1962; and Shadow in 1983. She also earned six Caldecott Honor Awards: Stone Soup, an Old Tale in 1948; Henry, Fisherman, a Tale of the Virgin Islands in 1950; Dick Whittington and His Cat in 1951; Skipper John’s Cook in 1952; Puss in Boots in 1953; and The Steadfast Tin Soldier in 1954. The Laura Ingalls Wilder Award was presented to her in 1992 for her body of works. Children can learn more at: Marcia Brown.

Ashley Bryan (born New York, New York, 1923; died Sugar Land, Texas, February 4, 2022) was a picture book author and illustrator. He earned two Coretta Scott King Medals for illustration: in 1981 for Beat the Story Drum, Pum Pum and in 2008 for Let It Shine: Three Favorite Spirituals. He also earned seven Coretta Scott King Honor Awards: in 1983 for I’m Going to Sing: Black American Spirituals; in 1988 for What a Morning! The Christmas Story in Black Spirituals; in 1992 for All Night, All Day: A Child’s First Book of African American Spirituals; in 1998 for Ashley Bryan’s ABC of African American Poetry; in 2004 for Beautiful Blackbird; and in 1987 he received both the story award and the illustration award for Lion and the Ostrich Chicks and Other African Folk Tales. The Laura Ingalls Wilder Award was presented to him in 2009 for his body of works. In 2017 he earned a Newbery Honor Award for Freedom Over Me: Eleven Slaves, Their Lives and Dreams Brought to Life by Ashley Bryan. Children can learn more at: Ashley Bryan.

Michael Dooling (born 1958) has written six books and has illustrated at least 65 books. His books include George Washington’s Army and Me and Young Thomas Edison. Children can visit his website at: Michael Dooling.

Anna Grossnickle Hines (born Cincinnati, Ohio, 1946) has written and/or illustrated at least 50 books for children. Her works include William’s Turn and My Pat-a-Cake Grandma. Children can visit her website at: http://www.aghines.com/.

Shark Awareness Day

 Events
Jul 142026
 

Shark Awareness Day is today! The day reminds us of the types of sharks, the importance of sharks in ocean food webs, and the fact that some species of sharks are endangered or critically endangered. Over 500 types of sharks exist, and experts believe over a billion sharks live in our oceans and even in a few rivers. The smallest species of shark is the dwarf lanternshark at about seven inches, and the largest type is the whaleshark which can be up to 40 feet long. Children can learn more at: Sharks.

World Chimpanzee Day

 Events
Jul 142026
 

Mother and Child Chimpanzees

World Chimpanzee Day is today! This day marks the day Jane Goodall began her research in 1960 regarding chimpanzee behavior. Chimpanzees live in groups ranging in size from 12 to over 150 animals. While they eat mostly fruits, leaves, and shoots, they are classified as omnivores because they will eat insects, eggs, birds, and small mammals. Today the chimpanzee is classified as endangered. Children can learn more at: Chimpanzees.

World Orca Day

 Events
Jul 142026
 

Orca Breaching

World Orca Day is today! The day celebrates orcas and the oceans. Orcas, also called killer whales, can be found in all latitudes, including the tropics and the Arctic and Antarctic regions. Orcas live in complex groups based on matrilineage. They have excellent communication patterns, and they see and hear well underwater. They are apex predators, meaning they are at the top of the ocean food pyramid. Children can learn more at: Orca.

France Celebrates Fête de la Fédération

 Events
Jul 142026
 

Flag of France

France celebrates Fête de la Fédération, also known as Bastille Day. In 1789 the Bastille fell to the rioting people, marking the beginning of the French Revolution. France is a bit smaller than Texas, and the Mediterranean Sea, the Bay of Biscay, and the English Channel all border the country. Almost 66 million people live in France. Paris is the capital. Idea: Charles Dickens’s A Tale of Two Cities gives great insight into the French Revolution. Children could learn more at: France.

George Washington Carver Monument Was Dedicated in 1943

 Events
Jul 142026
 
Bust of George Washington Carver at Memorial

Bust of George Washington Carver at Monument

George Washington Carver Monument was dedicated in 1943. The first national monument for an African-American and the first monument for a non-president, the site is Washington’s childhood home in Diamond, Missouri. Children could visit: http://www.nps.gov/gwca/index.htm.

New Horizons Spacecraft Was Closest to Pluto in 2015

 Events
Jul 142026
 
New Horizons

New Horizons

New Horizons spacecraft was closest to Pluto in 2015. Launched on January 19, 2006, the spacecraft traveled three billion miles to achieve one of its goals, taking images of Pluto and Pluto’s five moons. When New Horizons was launched, George W. Bush was President, Pluto was still a planet, and Apple had not yet released its first iPhone. New Horizons, traveling at a rate of over 30,000 miles per hour, continues on its journey and will hopefully help us learn more about the Kuiper Belt. Children can learn more at: New Horizons.

Birthdays

 Birthdays
Jul 142026
 

Gerald Ford

Gerald Rudolph Ford (born Leslie Lynch King, Jr., in Omaha, Nebraska, 1913; died Rancho Mirage, California, December 26, 2006) was the 38th president (1974-1977) of the United States. Ford was in the navy during World War II and was awarded ten battle stars. He was a congressman for thirteen terms. He was the only president not elected to either the presidency or the vice presidency. He was Speaker of the House when Nixon resigned from office. Because the vice president had resigned earlier, Ford became president. Children could visit a website at: Gerald Ford. Idea: Children could research the presidential line of succession.

Woody Guthrie (born Woodrow Wilson Guthrie in Okemah, Oklahoma, 1912; died New York, New York, October 3, 1967) was a singer and a songwriter. One of his most famous works is “This Land Is Your Land.”

Laura Joffe Numeroff (born Brooklyn, New York, 1953) is an author and illustrator. She has written at least 50 books, including If You Give a Mouse a Cookie and its many variations. Children can visit her website at: Laura Numeroff.

Peggy Parish (born Manning, South Carolina, 1927; died Manning, South Carolina, November 19, 1988) was an author. She is known for her Amelia Bedelia series. Her nephew Herman Parish continues to write Amelia Bedelia books. Children could learn more at: http://www.ameliabedeliabooks.com/.

Brian Selznick (born East Brunswick Township, New Jersey, 1966) writes and illustrates books for children. He earned the 2008 Caldecott Medal for The Invention of Hugo Cabret. Other books include Wonderstruck and The Houdini Box. Children can visit his website at: Brian Selznick.

Isaac Bashevis Singer (born Radymin, Poland, 1904; died Surfside, Florida, July 24, 1991) was a writer. He immigrated to the United States in 1935. He wrote in Yiddish, and he received the 1978 Nobel Prize for literature. Idea: Children could read some of the parts of Stories for Children, published in 1934.

 Older Entries  Newer Entries