AUTHOR! AUTHOR!

Adler, David A.  My Writing Day .New York: Richard C. Owen Publishers, Inc.,1999.
            Adler talks  briefly about his early days and present life,but expends his real energy on discussing the creative process that guides his writing. (Meet the Author series, Grades 2-3)

Blos, Joan W. adaptor.  The Days Before Now: An Autobiographical Note by Margaret Wise Brown. illus.by Thomas B.  Allen .  New York:  Simon and Schuster, 1994.
                    Blos has adapted the text from an autobiographical note Brown originally wrote for inclusion in "The Junior Book of Authors."  The writing has a dreamy quality as Brown recalls not facts and dates but rather little memories of her childhood experiences.  A sweet introduction to this author for children enamored of her work..(Grades 1-4)

Rylant, Cynthia. Margaret, Frank and Andy .New York: Harcourt, Brace and Company,1996.
                    Rylant brings her gentle, poetic style to this brief summary of Brown's short life.  She  provides the reader with biographical detail, but more importantly manages to capture the essence of this beloved author. Frank and Andy refer respectively to L. Frank Baum and E. B. White.(Grades 3-4)

Of adult interest:

Marcus, Leonard S. Margaret Wise Brown:  Awakened  by the Moon Boston: Beacon Press,1992.
                       In a biography that is both authoritative and insightful, Marcus discusses both the complex person Brown was as well as her literary achievements.

Carle,Eric The Art of Eric Carle New York:  Philomel Books,1996.
                    Of mainly adult interest, this liberally illustrated volume includes essays on his work by Carle himself and other literary critics such as Leonard Marcus and Ann Beneduce.
Carle,Eric Flora and Tiger: 19 Very Short Stories from My Life New York:  Philomel Books, 1997.
                    Carle presents  personal vignettes from his life.  The stories deal not so much with earth-shaking events , but  rather those happenings which for one reason or another he found memorable.  Carle himself states, in his " To My Readers" note :"The stories in this book, from various places and times of my life, have three things in common:  animals or insects, friends or relatives, and me."(Grades 3 and up)

Cleary, Beverly.  A Girl from Yamhill. New York: Morrow Junior Books, 1988.

Cleary, Bevery My Own Two Feet New York:  Morrow Junior Books, 1995.
                        In both of these books Cleary describes her life in great detail, beginning with her earliest memory as a two year old and ending with the publishing of Henry Huggins . The books are oddly devoid of the humor found in her writing for children and may be of more interest to an adult than a young fan. (not owned by by Smith School Library, Grades 5 and up)

Ward,S. About the Author:  Meet Beverly Cleary  New York:  PowerKidsPress,2001.(not owned by the Smith School Library)
                    The text of this brief biography is not well presented. However, photographs of both Beverly and places which were important to her have been included and may be of interest.(Grades1-3)

Cole, Joanna and Saul, Wendy. On the Bus with Joanna Cole New York: Heinemann, 1996.
                    Cole discusses her life in terms of how her experiences have influenced her writing, but the majority of the book is devoted to a thorough and interesting discourse on how she gets her ideas and how those ideas then eventually become a book.  (Creative Biography Series, Grades 3-5)

dePaola, Tomie. 26 Fairmount Avenue New York: Scholastic, 1999.(Newbery Honor Book)

dePaola, Tomie. Here We All Are  New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons, 2000.
                        In  both of the titles above, dePaola uses an accessible, conversational tone to discuss his early years,focusing mostly on amusing incidents or family memories. Other books in this series are sure to follow.( Grades 2-5)

Ehlert, Lois. Under My Nose New York: Richard C. Owen Publishers, 1996.
                            Ehlert shares her personal history  and her own techniques for writing or illustrating books.  She focuses on the fact that most of her ideas for either come from the everyday- that which is "right under her nose." (Meet the Author Series, grades 2-3)

Fritz, Jean Homesick:  My Own Story.New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons, 1982.
                            Fritz describes her childhood growing up in China in the 1920's.  While all the events are basically true, Fritz was primarily interested in writing a good story, and felt free to fictionalize ,remove events from their proper sequence, or include conversations as she needed to tell her tale.  The result is an engaging book in which Fritz' character emerges perhaps better than it might have in a more traditional biography. (Grades 4 and up)

Fritz, Jean .Surprising Myself  New York: Richard C. Owen Publishers, 1996.
                            While presenting both facts about her personal life and her writing style, Fritz includes such enjoyable tidbits about her habits (she always puts her manuscripts in the refrigerator while they are in progress-the safest place, after all) that young readers will be both entertained and engaged. (Meet the Author series, Grades 2-3)
 
 

Howe, James. Playing with Words  New York: Richard C. Owen Publishers, 1994.
                        Howe's enthusiasm for his work comes across clearly in this brief but interesting autobiography.  While personal life and writing style are discussed, woven throughout is Howe's desire to encourage his young readers to also "play with words."  ( (Meet the Author series, Grades 2-3)

Marcus, Leonard S., ed. Author Talk .New York: Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2000. (James Howe, pp.35-41)
                         A conversational, question and answer format which should be appreciated by slightly older readers. Howe is generous with his personal insights, and his enthusiasm for his craft will hopefully be contagious. (Grades 3-5)

Polacco, Patricia Firetalking New York:  Richard C. Owen Publishers, 1994.
                            Polacco shares her personal history, including her struggle with a learning disability, as well as her writing process. (Meet the Author Series, Grades 2-3)

Johnson, Jane My Dear Noel.New York: Dial Books for Young Readers, 1999.
                       This is a fictionalized account of the events which led to the creation of "Peter Rabbit."  Beatrix Potter originally wrote the story to amuse a child (Noel) who was ill.  He treasured the letter, and returned it to her seven years later when the idea of making her stories into books was suggested.Grades 1-3

Wallner, Alexandra  Beatrix Potter  New York: Holiday House,1995.
                    Beatrix Potter was born in 1866.  Like many children of wealthy parents, she and her brother Bertram were raised by governesses and rarely saw their parents or other children.  To ease their loneliness, they made pets of many garden animals- rabbits, hedgehogs, lizards, etc.  Beatrix was able to observe these animals at close range, and often painted them.  Eventually these animals became the inspiration for the 23 animal tales she would write, including the now classic "The Tale of Peter Rabbit".   When Potter stopped writing because of failing eyesight, she devoted her time to raising sheep and creating protected woodland areas.Grades 2-3

Rylant, Cynthia. Best Wishes New York: Richard C. Owen Publishers, 1992.
                        Slightly more pensive than other entries in this series, Rylant describes the simplicity of her life and interests.  She focuses less on the actual writing process, but rather on  how her ideas come mostly from observing the everyday. (Meet the Author"series, Grades 2-3)

Rylant, Cynthia. But I'll Be Back Again.New York: Orchard Books, 1989.
                            An open and honest account of her childhood, using the words of Beatles' songs as a framework.  (Grades 5 and up)

Stevenson, James Don't You Know There's a War On?New York: Greenwillow Books, 1992.
                    In simple but effective prose Stevenson catalogues a ten year old's memories of the homefront during World War II.  Some of the recollections are amusing, such as the recipes for Spam , while others are poignant, such as his feelings when his own father leaves for duty. Stevenson's intentionally blurry  illustrations capture both the drama and the humor of a long ago childhood.

Stevenson, James Fun/No Fun New York: Greenwillow Books, 1994.
                    Stevenson states at the beginning of this book:"  When I was young, a long time ago.."  However, today's children will be both captivated and amused by the many "fun/no fun" recollections that either match or can easily be equated to their own present day experiences.

Stevenson, James I Had a Lot of Wishes  New York: Greenwillow Books, 1995
                    Stevenson again hits the mark with his list of wishes, both big and small, that are a common phenomenom of any childhood.

Stevenson, James I Meant to Tell You  New York: Greenwillow Books, 1996.
                    "But I remember you when you were small and all the things we did together.  I meant to tell you that."  Stevenson is here remembering the funny and warm moments he spent with his daughter when she was small.His talent for making the reader understand how the most mundane of activities can be memorable when shared with a loved one is at its zenith here.

No websites on Mr.  Stevenson or his work are currently available.

Wilder, Laura Ingalls On the Way Home:  The Diary of a Trip from South Dakota to Mansfield Missouri in 1894. New York: Harper and Row, 1962.
                        A diary of  the journey made by the Wilder family (Laura, Almanzo and Rose) in 1894 from South Dakota to a new home in the Ozarks. The diary was only discovered after Laura's death in 1957, and  includes numerous photographs  as well as a setting by Rose Wilder Lane.Grades 4 and up.

Yolen, Jane A Letter from Phoenix Farm New York: Richard C. Owen Publishers, 1994.
                            Yolen has chosen to discuss only her present life. There is no information as to her childhood or her formative years as a writer included here, and very few personal insights.  Children will ,however ,get to see pictures of the author, her home and her family, and get a rather generic overview of what an author does.  (Meet the Author series, grades 2-3)