July 11 Birthday: James Stevenson

James Stevenson, writer and illustrator
July 11, 1929-

When I Was Nine by James Stevenson (Greenwillow, 1986)

Stevenson writes and illustrates a slice-of-life story about his memorable summer in the 1930s. A charmer.

HarperCollinsChildrens.com highlights Stevenson’s titles.

July 11 Birthday: E.B. White

E. B. White, writer
July 11, 1899-October 1, 1985

Lives of the Writers: Comedies, Tragedies (and What the Neighbors Thought) by Kathleen Krull, illustrated by Kathryn Hewitt (Harcourt, 1994)  

Some writer! White’s day job was as a writer for The New Yorker, but children will know him from his classic, Charlotte’s Web.

Meet the Author E.B. White at the Eduplace.com site by Houghton Mifflin Reading.

July 11 Birthday: John Q. Adams

John Q. Adams, U.S. President
July 11, 1767-February 23, 1848

Young John Quincy by Cheryl Harness (Bradbury Press, 1994)

This is a look at the early life of a future U.S. president. Adams was the son of President John Adams and his wife Abigail Adams.

Drop by the White House and read about John Q. Adams.

July 10 Birthday: Joe Schuster

Joe Schuster, artist
July 10, 1914-July 30, 1992

Boys of Steel: The Creators of Superman by Marc Tyler Nobleman, illustrated by Ross MacDonald (Knopf, 2008)

Everyone will champion this story of ingenuity and perseverance. Together, mild-mannered and unassuming teens Jerry Siegel and Joe Schuster created the most inspiring and beloved comic book hero of all-time—Superman. Their struggles in the industry were heartbreaking and their successes equally phenomenal. A super read!

Click here and faster than a speeding bullet, you’ll be reading all about planet Krypton, Superman’s birthplace.

July 10 Birthday: Mary McLeod Bethune

Mary McLeod Bethune, educator
July 10, 1875-May 18, 1955

Mary McLeod Bethune by Eloise Greenfield, illustrated by Jerry Pinkney (HarperTrophy, 1994)

Dedicated to education for all, Bethune sought opportunities for African-American children in South Carolina after the Civil War.

The Lakewood Public Library hosts a biography of McLeod Bethune on their site.

July 8 Birthday: Kathe Kollwitz

Kathe Kollwitz, artist
July 8, 1867-April 22, 1945

Lives of the Artists: Masterpieces, Messes (and What the Neighbors Thought) by Kathleen Krull, illustrated by Kathryn Hewitt (Harcourt, 1995)

Kollwitz, a German sculptress was interested in social justice and publicly opposed the Nazis.

The Kathe-Kollwitz-Museum in Berlin is open online everyday. Look at the exhibition and artist’s work.

July 7 Birthday: Marc Chagall

 Marc Chagall, artist
July 7, 1887-March 28, 1985

Lives of the Artists: Masterpieces, Messes (and What the Neighbors Thought) by Kathleen Krull, illustrated by Kathryn Hewitt (Harcourt, 1995)

Chagall, a Russian painter, studied in Paris, was arrested during a Nazi raid, and later released because of American intervention. He worked everyday up until his death at 97.

Go to the Guggenheim Museum for a short bio of Chagall and collection selections.

July 7 Birthday: Satchel Paige

Satchel Paige, athlete
July 7, 1906 (?)-June 8, 1982


Satchel Paige by Lesa Cline-Ransome, illustrated by James E. Ransome (Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishing, 2000)

Major league pitching great, Satchel Paige first played (and set records) in the Negro Leagues. When the major league integrated, he was the first African-American pitcher in the American League.

Paige: The Official Web Site hosts a biography, photos, quotes and stats.

July 6 Birthday: Dalai Lama

Dalai Lama, religious leader
July 6, 1935-

The Dalai Lama: Foreword by His Holiness The Dalai Lama by Demi (Holt, 1998)

This biography tells the story of 14th Dalai Lama, a Tibetan Buddhist spiritual leader and his teachings.

The Official Website of The Office of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama has news, FAQs, photos, teachings, and a biography.

July 6 Birthday: Bill Haley

Bill Haley, musician
July 6, 1925-February 9, 1981

Shake, Rattle and Roll: The Founders of Rock and Roll by Holly George-Warren, illustrated by Laura Levine (Houghton Mifflin, 2001)

Bill Haley and the Comets started singing C and W music but switched to rock and roll. Their song Rock Around the Clock was a huge hit and some say started the rock ‘n’ roll craze.

RockHall.com posts a bio of 1987 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Haley.

July 4 Birthday: Stephen Foster

Stephen Foster, musician
July 4, 1826-January 13, 1864

Lives of the Musicians: Good Times, Bad Times (and What the Neighbors Thought) by Kathleen Krull, illustrated by Kathryn Hewitt (Harcourt, 1993)

Foster, the writer of My Old Kentucky Home, Oh, Susanna and Beautiful Dreamer is remembered in this collective biography.

Listen to samples of Foster’s talent, download pages of sheet music and cast your vote for your favorite Foster song at the PBS American Experience site about him.

July 4 Birthday: Calvin Coolidge

Calvin Coolidge, U.S. President
July 4, 1872-January 5, 1933

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

President # 30 served two terms. In a brief paragraph, Krull highlights Coolidge's eccentricities.

To view a portrait of Coolidge and facts about his life, visit The Internet Public Library POTUS site.

July 2 Birthday: Thurgood Marshall

Thurgood Marshall, judge
July 2, 1908-January 24, 1993

A Picture Book Biography of Thurgood Marshall by David A. Adler, illustrated by Robert Casilla (Holiday House, 1997)

This is the bio of the first African-American Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall with an emphasis on his childhood.

Read more about Marshall on this ThinkQuest project site.

July 1 Birthday: Princess Diana

Princess Diana a.k.a. Lady Diana Frances Spencer, advocate
July 1, 1961-August 31, 1997  

Paths to Peace: People Who Changed the World by Jane Breskin Zalben (Dutton, 2006)

Dedicated to others, Princess Diana walked the walk.

Photos and features about Princess Diana are posted on The Royal Family page on the Official Web Site of the British Monarchy.

July 1 Birthday: Louis Bleriot

Louis Bleriot, aviator
July 1, 1872-August 2, 1936  

The Glorious Flight: Across the Channel with Louis Bleriot July 25, 1909 by Alice and Martin Provensen (Viking Juvenile, 1983)

This Caldecott Medal Winner takes readers on the glorious journey of the man who flew across the English Channel first.

A photo and information about Bleriot, are on the U.S. Centennial of Flight Commission site.

June 30 Birthday: Lena Horne

Lena Horne, musician
June 30, 1917-May 9, 2010

Amelia to Zora: Twenty-Six Women Who Changed the World by Cynthia Chin-Lee, illustrated by Megan Halsey and Sean Addy (Charlesbridge, 2005)

Horne, best known for her hit song, Stormy Weather, sang and acted in several Hollywood musicals beginning in 1938.

PBS Online News Hour celebrated Horne’s 80th birthday. Read all about it here.

June 27 Birthday: Helen Keller

Helen Keller, writer and activist
June 27, 1880-June 1, 1968

A Picture Book of Helen Keller by David A. Adler, illustrated by John Wallner and Alexandra Wallner (Holiday House, 1990)

While the childhood of Keller, who was born with visual and hearing impairments is the focus of this biography, her accomplishments as an adult are also highlighted.

From the American Foundation for the Blind, The Helen Keller Kids Museum Online offers a biography of Keller.

June 26 Birthday: Babe Didrikson Zaharias

Babe Didrikson Zaharias, athlete
June 26, 1911 (or 1914)-September 27, 1956

Amelia to Zora: Twenty-Six Women Who Changed the World by Cynthia Chin-Lee, illustrated by Megan Halsey and Sean Addy (Charlesbridge, 2005)

Born in Texas, Zaharias was an accomplished golfer, basketball player and track and field star who won two gold medals and one silver in the 1932 Summer Olympics.

Sports Illustrated for Women.CNN features a bio of Didrikson Zaharias on their site.

June 25 Birthday: Eric Carle

Eric Carle, artist and writer
June 25, 1929-

Flora and Tiger: 19 Very Short Stories from My Life by Eric Carle (Philomel, 1997)

Peek into the life of renowned children’s author and illustrator Eric Carle via the stories he tells about his childhood and present day life.

Take a field trip to The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art in Amherst, MA and explore the exhibits and resources.

June 23 Birthday: Wilma Rudolph

Wilma Rudolph, athlete
June 23, 1940-November 12, 1994

Wilma Unlimited: How Wilma Rudolph Became the World’s Fastest Woman by Kathleen Krull, illustrated by David Diaz (Harcourt, 1996)

A sickly child, Rudolph grew up to be the first woman to win three, count ‘em, three Olympic gold medals. What an inspiration!

The 2008 Olympics site offers a photo of Rudolph at the Rome 1960 Olympics and a brief bio.

June 22 Birthday: Pete Maravich

Pete Maravich, athlete
June 22, 1947-January 5, 1988

Lives of the Athletes: Thrills, Spills (and What the Neighbors Thought) by Kathleen Krull, illustrated by Kathryn Hewitt (Harcourt, 1997)

Maravich, a college basketball great at LSU, was a Basketball Hall of Famer in 1987.

Click over to the NBA Encyclopedia for a bio of Maravich a.k.a. “Pistol Pete.”

June 19 Birthday: Lou Gehrig

Lou Gehrig, athlete
June 19, 1903-June 2, 1941

Lou Gehrig: The Luckiest Man by David A. Adler, illustrated by Terry Widener (Gulliver Books, 1997)

A three-hankie story, Gehrig, the baseball great who suffered from ALS always looked on the bright side of life.

A biography, photos and more can be found at the Lou Gehrig Official Web Site.

June 17 Birthday: Igor Stravinsky

Igor Stravinsky, musician
June 17, 1882-April 6, 1971

Lives of the Musicians: Good Times, Bad Times (and What the Neighbors Thought) by Kathleen Krull, illustrated by Kathryn Hewitt (Harcourt, 1993)

A Russian-American composer, Stravinsky wrote The Rite of Spring. He is known as one of the only composers to realize overnight success.

For more about Stravinsky, read more on the Igor Stravinsky Foundation site.

June 19 Birthday: Aung San Suu Kyi

Aung San Suu Kyi, political activist
June 19, 1945-

Amelia to Zora: Twenty-Six Women Who Changed the World by Cynthia Chin-Lee, illustrated by Megan Halsey and Sean Addy (Charlesbridge, 2005)

Nonviolent Burmese activist Aung San Suu Kyi won the Nobel Peace Prize and used the money to promote health and education in Burma.

A timeline of Aung San Suu Kyi’s life is available on the Nobelprize.com site.

June 14 Birthday: Harriet Beecher Stowe

Harriet Beecher Stowe, abolitionist
June 14, 1811-July 1, 1896

A Picture Book Biography of Harriet Beecher Stowe by David A. Adler, illustrated by Colin Bootman (Holiday House, paper, 2004)

From Stowe’s childhood impressions of slavery to her book, Uncle Tom’s Cabin, this woman of integrity fought for justice for African-Americans.

A Celebration of Women at the Penn Digital Library features biographical and bibliographic information on Stowe.

June 13 Birthday: Red Grange

Red Grange, athlete
June 13, 1903-January 28, 1991

Lives of the Athletes: Thrills, Spills (and What the Neighbors Thought) by Kathleen Krull, illustrated by Kathryn Hewitt (Harcourt, 1997)

Grange, a college football player-turned-professional was the first to make $100,000 a year. And yes, he had red hair.

A bio and stats of Grange can be found at the Official Site of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

June 12 Birthday: Anne Frank

Anne Frank, writer
June 12, 1929-February/March, 1945

A Picture Book Biography of Anne Frank by David A. Adler, illustrated by Karen Ritz (Holiday House, 1994)

The world knows Anne Frank because of the diary she kept while the Nazis reigned. This book describes Frank’s life before, during and after she and her family went into hiding.

Read the story of Frank, visit the museum, try the activities and read the latest news of the Anne Frank House.

June 12 Birthday: George H. W. Bush

George H. W. Bush, U.S. President
June 12, 1924-

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

Bush banned broccoli from the White House. Number 41, was a former director of the CIA and the father of five, one whom would become Number 43.

The George Bush Presidential Library on the campus of Texas A&M is the source for Bush info.

June 12 Birthday: Helen Lester

Helen Lester, writer
June 12, 19??-

Author: A True Story by Helen Lester (Houghton Mifflin, paper, 2002)

A lively account of how Lester, an acclaimed picture book author found her passion.

Lester’s website offers an interview with her, a photo album and a look at her books.

June 11 Birthday: Jacques Cousteau

Jacques Cousteau, scientist
June 11, 1910-June 25, 1997

The Fantastic Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau by Dan Yaccario (Knopf, 2010)

Cousteau loved the water and he spent his life exploring and protecting it. Along the way, he invented diving equipment and waterproof cameras. He sailed the world on the Calypso so we could see below the surface.

Cousteau.org includes news of the day, expeditions as well as information about technology and environmental programs.

June 9 Birthday: Peter the Great

Peter the Great, political leader
June 9, 1672-February 8, 1725

Peter the Great by Diane Stanley (HarperCollins, 1999)

A Tsar from the age of ten, Peter the Great worked to bring Russia into the modern world.

A brief bio of Peter the Great can be found at the St. Petersburg Times.

June 6 Birthday: Marian Wright Edelman

Marian Wright Edelman, advocate
June 6, 1939-

Women of Hope: African Americans Who Made a Difference by Joyce Hansen (Scholastic, 1998)

A supporter of poor children and their families, this writer organized the Children's Defense Fund.

See a biography of Edelman at the Children’s Defense Fund site.

June 2 Birthday: Johnny Weissmuller

Johnny Weissmuller, athlete
June 2, 1904-January 20, 1984

Lives of the Athletes: Thrills, Spills (and What the Neighbors Thought) by Kathleen Krull, illustrated by Kathryn Hewitt (Harcourt, 1997)

An Olympian in swimming, Weissmuller also made his mark as Tarzan in the movies. His motto—"Le's go."

See at photo of Weissmuller aboard the S.S. President Roosevelt, July 1928 (coming or going) to the Olympic Games.

May 31 Birthday: Walt Whitman

Walt Whitman, writer
May 31, 1819-March 26, 1892

Walt Whitman: Words for America by Barbara Kerley, illustrated by Brian Selznick (Scholastic, 2004)

A poet and more, Whitman’s life is explored in this tribute to an American icon. 

Poets.org offers a bio and photo of Whitman on their site as well as external links.

May 30 Birthday: Benny Goodman

Benny Goodman, musician
May 30, 1909-June 13, 1986

Once Upon a Time in Chicago: The Story of Benny Goodman by Jonah Winter, illustrated by Jeanette Winter (Hyperion, 2000)

An accomplished clarinet player, Goodman, known as The “King of Swing,” began playing when he was in the fourth grade…and never stopped.

Click over to a biography of Goodman with audio features on the PBS.org site of Jazz, a film by Ken Burns.

May 29 Birthday: John F. Kennedy

John F. Kennedy, U.S. President
May 29, 1917-November 22, 1963

Jack's Path of Courage: The Life of John F. Kennedy by Doreen Rappaport, illustrated by Matt Tavares, Hyperion, 2010.

This portrait of the 35th President of the United States shows his zest for life, compassion for people and his personal and political challenges. Among other things, Kennedy was a huge advocate for the space program, created the Peace Corps and sought to end racial discrimination.

Go to The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum to read Kennedy’s White House Diary and take a virtual tour.

May 29 Birthday: Patrick Henry

Patrick Henry, politician
May 29, 1736-June 6, 1799

A Picture Book of Patrick Henry by David A. Adler, illustrated by John C. Wallner and Alexandra Wallner (Holiday House, 2001)

Henry, the first and sixth governor of Virginia made the “Give me liberty or give me death” speech.

Listen to Henry’s speech (scroll down the page) as interpreted by Richard Schuman and read about Henry’s life at History.org.

May 29 Birthday: Tenzing Norgay

Tenzing Norgay, explorer
May 29, 1914-May 9, 1986

Tigers of the Snows: Tenzing Norgay: The Boy Whose Dream Was Everest by Robert Burleigh, illustrated by Ed Young (Atheneum, 2006)

A Nepalese climber, Norgay and Sir Edmund Hillary were the first men on the summit of Mount Everest.

A profile of Norgay is posted on the Scholastic Teachers web site.

May 28 Birthday: Jim Thorpe

Jim Thorpe, athlete
May 28, 1887-March 28, 1953

Bright Path: Young Jim Thorpe by Don Brown (Roaring Brook Press, 2006)

Thorpe found his calling at the Carlisle Indian School in Pennsylvania and in 1912 was a star of the Summer Olympics.

The Official Site of Jim Thorpe: World’s Greatest Athlete is a source for biography, fast facts, photos and more.

May 27 Birthday: Rachel Carson

Rachel Carson, biologist
May 27, 1907-April 14, 1964

Amelia to Zora: Twenty-Six Women Who Changed the World by Cynthia Chin-Lee, illustrated by Megan Halsey and Sean Addy (Charlesbridge, 2005)

Back in the day, Carson’s book Silent Spring, published in 1962, had a huge impact on the environmental movement…and still does.

RachelCarson.org is a “website devoted to the life and legacy of Rachel Carson."

May 27 Birthday: Amelia Bloomer

Amelia Bloomer, women’s rights advocate
May 27, 1818-December 30, 1894

You Forgot Your Skirt, Amelia Bloomer by Shana Corey, illustrated by Chesley McLaren (Scholastic, 2000)

Active in the women’s rights movement, Bloomer’s name became synonymous with a new fashion piece of the time.

The National Women's Hall of Fame hosts a bio and photo of Bloomer on their site.

May 27 Birthday: Isadora Duncan

Isadora Duncan, dancer
May 27, 1877-September 14, 1927

Isadora Dances by Rachel Isadora (Puffin, 2000)

Modern dancer Isadora Duncan’s life takes the stage in this picture book biography about her.

Learn more about Duncan at the Isadora Duncan Dance Foundation.

May 24 Birthday: Bob Dylan

Bob Dylan, musician, poet
May 24, 1941-

When Bob Met Woody: The Story of the Young Bob Dylan by Gary Golio, illustrated by Marc Burckhardt (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2011)

Music has always been central to Bob Zimmerman’s aka Bob Dylan’s life. And when he heard recordings by Woody Guthrie, he knew he wanted to be like him—a singer- storyteller who made people think. Meeting his hero changed his life. Thank you, Woody. Thank you, Bob.

The official Bob Dylan website offers lyrics, sound files and tour dates.

May 24 Birthday: Ynes Mexia

Ynes Mexia, botanist
May 24, 1870-July 12, 1938

How We are Smart by W. Nikola-Lisa, illustrated by Sean Qualls (Lee & Low Books, 2006)

Mexia discovered a new passion when she was 51. Botany. And thanks to her, more than 500 species of plants were discovered.

A very brief biographical sketch of Mexia is available on the Online Archive of California.

May 24 Birthday: Victoria, Queen

Victoria, Queen
May 24, 1819-January 22, 1901

Lives of Extraordinary Women: Rulers, Rebels (and What the Neighbors Thought) by Kathleen Krull, illustrated by Kathryn Hewitt (Harcourt, 2000)

Queen of England for 64 years and the mother of nine children, the Victorian Age was named after this monarch.

Read more about Queen Victoria on The Victorian Web, literature, history and culture in the age of Victoria.

May 21 Birthday: Mary Anning

Mary Anning, paleontologist
May 21, 1799-Mar. 9, 1847

Rare Treasure: Mary Anning and Her Remarkable Discoveries by Don Brown (Houghton Mifflin, 2003)

Anning discovered the bones of an ichthyosaur as a child and from then on fossils dominated her life.

For more information, read about Anning on the UC Berkeley Museum of Paleontology site.

May 19 Birthday: Bob Switzer

Bob Switzer, inventor
May 19, 1914-Aug. 20, 1997

The Day-Glo Brothers by Chris Barton, illustrated by Tony Persiani (Charlesbridge, 2008)

A Sibert Informational Honor book, this bio about the brothers who invented eye-popping colors shines light on an innovative and important addition to our world.

Day-Glo worms? View “A Primer on Marine Flatworms for K-12 Students” at the University of New Hampshire site and you’ll be a believer.

May 17 Birthday: Erik Satie

Erik Satie, musician
May 17, 1866-July 1, 1925

Strange Mr. Satie by M.T. Anderson, illustrated by Petra Mathers (Viking, 2003)


The eccentric French composer’s life and music is examined in this picture book biography about him.

A photo and biography of Satie can be seen here.

May 13 Birthday: Joe Louis

Joe Louis, boxer
May 13, 1914-April 12, 1981

A Nation’s Hope: The Story of Boxing Legend Joe Louis by Matt de la Pena, illustrated by Kadir Nelson (Dial, 2011)

An iconic fight between American heavyweight boxer Joe Louis and German Max Schmeling on the eve of WWII drew Americans together and came to symbolize the war. This is a stirring story of hope.

The Official Web Site of Joe Louis gives visitors photos, quotes, fast facts and a biography.

May 13 Birthday: Ritchie Valens

Ritchie Valens, musician
May 13, 1941-February 3, 1959

Shake, Rattle and Roll: The Founders of Rock and Roll by Holly George-Warren, illustrated by Laura Levine (Houghton Mifflin, 2001)

Valens was the California music sensation and singer of Donna and La Bamba. He was the first Mexican-American rock and roll star. Unfortunately he died in a small plane crash along with Buddy Holly and The Big Bopper.

Go to the Ritchie Valens Official Web Site for information on his life, his music and his family.