Anne Bustard: Children's Author

From the monthly archives:

March 2010

March 16 Birthday: James Madison

by Anne on March 16, 2010

James Madison, U.S. President

Mar. 16, 1751-June 28, 1836

Lives of the Presidents

Lives of the Presidents: Fame, Shame (and What the Neighbors Thought) by Kathleen Krull, illustrated by Kathryn Hewitt (Harcourt, 1998)

The “Father of the Constitution” and smallest of our presidents, Madison was number 4.

Learn more about Madison at The White House.gov.

March 15 Birthday: Andrew Jackson

by Anne on March 15, 2010

Andrew Jackson, U.S. President

Mar. 15, 1767-June 8, 1845

Lives of the Presidents

Lives of the Presidents: Fame, Shame (and What the Neighbors Thought) by Kathleen Krull, illustrated by Kathryn Hewitt (Harcourt, 1998)

Jackson, the 7th president, added running water to the White House. He was known as the “people’s president.”

The White House posts a bio of Jackson and the highlights of his term.

March 11 Birthday: Wanda Gag

by Anne on March 11, 2010

Wanda Gag, illustrator and author

March 11, 1893-June 27, 1946

wandagag

Wanda Gag: The Girl Who Lived to Draw by Deborah Kogan Ray (Viking, 2008)

Captivated by drawing from the time she could hold a pencil, Gag honed her skills and although family tragedies waylaid her dreams for a time, eventually she went to art school and became the creator of one of the most beloved children’s books, Millions of Cats.

The Minnesota Historical Society offers biographical notes and additional resources on Gag at its site.

Unknown Birthday: Sacagawea

by Anne on March 10, 2010

Sacagawea, explorer

c. 1787-Dec. 12, 1812 or April 9, 1884

sacagawea

A Picture Book of Sacagawea by David A. Alder, illustrated by Dan Brown (Holiday House, 2001)

A translator and guide on the Lewis and Clark expedition, this Native American woman was an invaluable member of the team.

The PBS special Lewis & Clark: Inside the Corps offers more biographical information on Sacagawea.

Unknown Birthday: Giselle Potter

by Anne on March 8, 2010

Giselle Potter, children’s author and illustrator

20th century-

year_i_didnt_go-to-school

The Year I Didn’t Go to School by Giselle Potter (Atheneum/Anne Schwartz Books, 2002)

What a year! Traveling around Italy with her family’s theater troupe when she was seven, Potter gives a first-person account of this magical time.

Puppeters of America can link you up with a guild, festival or event in the US and Canada.