by Anne on August 12, 2010
Katharine Lee Bates, author of words to America the Beautiful
Aug. 12, 1859-Mar. 28, 1929
Purple Mountain Majesties: The Story of Katharine Lee Bates and “America the Beautiful” by Barbara Younger, illustrated by Stacey Schuett (Turtleback Books, 2002)
Where do ideas come from? In this case, from majestic scenery. Inspired by view from Pikes Peak, Katharine Lee Bates began to write a poem that would become a national treasure.
View images from Pikes Peak Cam Top Peak Pics in Colorado Springs, Colorado for a sense of Bates’ wonder.
by Anne on August 2, 2010
Mary Shelley, author
Aug. 30, 1797-Feb. 1, 1851
Through the Tempests Dark and Wild: A Story of Mary Shelley, Creator of Frankenstein by Sharon Darrow, illustrated by Angela Barrett (Candlewick, 2003)
Focused on the teen years “where some believe that Mary’s famous novel took root” this fictionalized picture book biography is a moving account of Shelley, who published her renowned Gothic at the age of nineteen.
A Wikipedia biography of Mary Shelley with additional links is available.
Read an interview with author Sharon Darrow (includes questions related to Through the Tempests) at Cynthia Leitich Smith’s blog.
by Anne on March 11, 2010
Wanda Gag, illustrator and author
March 11, 1893-June 27, 1946
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 Minnesota Author Biographies Project site.
Dr. Seuss, writer
Mar. 2, 1904-Sept. 24, 1991
The Boy on Fairfield Street by Kathleen Krull, illustrated by Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher (Random House, 2004)
From a childhood spent dreaming and doodling to budding artist at 22, this biography of the famous children’s writer shows what made Seuss tick.
Dr. Seuss’ Seussville is maintained by his publisher, Random House and has a biography of Seuss as well as cool games for kids.
by Anne on February 10, 2010
Alice Walker, writer
Feb. 8, 1944-
Women of Hope: African Americans Who Made a Difference by Joyce Hansen (Scholastic, 1998)
Born to sharecroppers in Georgia, Alice Walker worked hard in school. She was an active participant in the civil rights movement and is an accomplished poet and novelist. The Color Purple is her most well-known work.
Links to information about Walker can be found at a Cuny.edu site.
