It’s the birthday of children’s book author and illustrator Chris Van Allsburg (b. 1949), best known for his picture books Jumanji (1981) and The Polar Express (1985), both of which won Caldecott Medals. Van Allsburg was born and raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the youngest of two. His father and uncles worked in his grandfather’s [...]
It’s the birthday of Jane Yolen (b. 1939), best known for her picture book Owl Moon (1987), which won illustrator John Schoenherr the Caldecott Medal in 1988. Yolen has written over 300 books for both children and adults, which is, you know, more than everybody else combined. Yolen was born in New York City. Her [...]
Susan’s Almanac Project for November 27, 2018 It’s the birthday of noted children’s book author and illustrator Kevin Henkes (b. 1960), whose books have won numerous awards, including a Caldecott Medal for Kitten’s First Full Moon (2004). Henkes was born in Racine, Wisconsin, the fourth of five children, an experience he credits with teaching him [...]
It’s the birthday of poet, memoirist, and essayist Donald Hall (1928-2018), U.S. poet laureate from 2006-2007 and one of the most important poets of his generation. He’s best known as a rural poet who focused on the natural world and used simple language that nonetheless often had a surrealistic effect. Hall was born and raised [...]