Dec 162024
 

Jane Austen (born Steventon, Hampshire, England, 1775; died Winchester, England, July 18, 1817) was a writer. Two of her most famous works are Sense and Sensibility and Pride and Prejudice. Children can read many of her works at: Project Gutenberg.

Ludwig van Beethoven (born Bonn, Germany, 1770; died Vienna, Austria, March 26, 1827) was one of the greatest composers. He created nine symphonies, a number of overtures and chamber music, an opera and about 35 sonatas. He grew deaf in his later years, but he still was able to compose. Children could read Beethoven Lives Upstairs by Barbara Nichol.

Quentin Blake (born Sidcup, Kent, England, 1932) is a children’s author and illustrator. While he has written and/or illustrated at least 323 books, he is perhaps best known for his illustrations of books by Raold Dahl. He won the 1980 Kate Greenaway Award for his book Mister Magnolia. In 2002 he won the very prestigious Hans Christian Andersen Award for his body of works. He was knighted in 2013. Children could visit his website at: Quentin Blake.

Bill Brittain (born Rochester, New York, 1930; died Asheville, North Carolina, December 16, 2011) was an author. One of his books is All the Money in the World. Another of his most well-known works is The Wish Giver. It received the 1984 Newbery Honor Award.

Arthur Charles Clarke (born Minehead, England, 1917; died Colombo, Sri Lanka, March 19, 2008) was an author. He is best known for his science fiction, including 2001: A Space Odyssey. Children could learn more about him at: Clarke Foundation.

Much Loved Copy of Just Me by Marie Hall Ets

Marie Hall Ets (born Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 1895; died Inverness, Florida, January 17, 1984) was an author and/or illustrator of more than 20 children’s books. She received the 1960 Caldecott Medal for Nine Days to Christmas. Children could learn more at: Marie Hall Ets.

Wassily Kandinksy (born Moscow, Russia, 1866; died Neuilly-sur-Seine, France, December 13, 1944) was an abstract painter. He moved from Russia to Germany and eventually to France where he became a French citizen. Many experts consider him to be the founder of abstract art. Children can view some of his work at: Wassily Kandinsky.

Margaret Mead (born Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1901; died New York, New York, November 15, 1978) was an anthropologist and a writer. Coming of Age in Samoa, published in 1928, showed her strong interest in other cultures. Her writings often compared and contrasted two cultures. Older children could learn more at: Margaret Mead.

George Santayana (born Madrid, Spain, 1863; died Rome, Italy, September 26, 1952) was a philosopher. One of his most famous quotes is, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” Children can read some of his earlier works at: Project Gutenberg.