January 21: Today in the History of Children’s Books

🎂 January 21, 1925 – Birth: Eva Ibbotson

Aus­tri­an-born British writerEva Ibbot­sonEva Ibbot­son (1925–2010) was born. She was known for her rich imag­i­na­tion and humor, and her works often had a mag­i­cal ele­ment.

  • Impor­tant works and achieve­ments:
  • The Adven­tures in But­ter­fly Par­adiseJour­ney to the Riv­er Sea(2001): This is a clas­sic adven­ture nov­el set in the Ama­zon rain­for­est, telling the sto­ry of Maya, an orphan who search­es for free­dom and belong­ing in a for­eign land. The book won the Smar­ties Prize and was includ­ed in “1001 Chil­dren’s Books”.
  • Fan­ta­sy genre: HerThe Secret of Plat­form 13-The Secret of Plat­form 13It is often con­sid­ered to be a pre­quel to Plat­form Nine and Three-Quar­ters in terms of its set­ting, and is an excel­lent chil­dren’s fan­ta­sy work.

born Eva Ibbot­son Eva Ibbot­son (Wikipedia) |


⚰️ January 21, 1970 – Died: Louis Darling

Amer­i­can illus­tra­tor, writer, and nat­u­ral­istLouis Dar­lingLouis Dar­ling (1916–1970) died.

  • Impor­tant works and con­tri­bu­tions:
  • He is a titan of Amer­i­can chil­dren’s lit­er­a­tureBev­er­ly Clare(Bev­er­ly Cleary) One of the most impor­tant ear­ly part­ners.
  • Mouse Man on a Motor­cy­cleThe Mouse and the Motor­cy­cle(1965): He illus­trat­ed this clas­sic book, and the char­ac­ter Ralph, the lit­tle mouse wear­ing a ping-pong hel­met and rid­ing a toy motor­cy­cle, was cre­at­ed by him. The book was includ­ed in “1001 Chil­dren’s Books”.

Death Louis Dar­ling | Louis Dar­ling (Wikipedia) |


⚰️ January 21, 1942 – Death: Dorothy Wall

New Zealand-Aus­tralian writer and illus­tra­torDorothy WallDorothy Wall (1894–1942) died. (Note: She was born on Jan­u­ary 12, as men­tioned in a pre­vi­ous brief­ing.)

  • Impor­tant works and con­tri­bu­tions:
  • Wink BillBlinky BillThis mis­chie­vous koala is one of the most icon­ic char­ac­ters in Aus­tralian chil­dren’s lit­er­a­ture, sym­bol­iz­ing Aus­trali­a’s unique bush­land cul­ture and sense of humor.

Death | Dorothy Wall | Dorothy Wall (Wikipedia) |


🎂 January 21, 1928 – Birth: Carol Beach York

Amer­i­can writ­ersCar­ol Beach York(Car­ol Beach, York, 1928–2013) was born.

  • Impor­tant works and con­tri­bu­tions:
  • Good Char­lotteGood Char­lotteThis is one of her famous “But­ter­field Square” series.
  • style: Her works are diverse in style, rang­ing from heart­warm­ing fam­i­ly sto­ries to sus­pense­ful thrillers aimed at teenagers.

born | Car­ol Beach York | Car­ol Beach, York (Wikipedia) |