🎂 Born March 12, 1936: Virginia Hamilton
One of the most influential African American children’s literature authorsVirginia HamiltonBorn (1936–2002). (Note: Her death was commemorated in a briefing on February 19).
- Highest Honor:
- Hans Christian Andersen Award (HCAA): Winner of the 1992 Writers’ Prize.
- Children’s Literature Heritage Award (CLLA): Winner in 1995.
- Newbery Medal: With theThe amazing MC Higgins-MC Higgins, the GreatShe won the gold medal in 1975, becoming the first African American author in history to receive this honor.
- Newbery Honor: She also won the Silver Medal three times for “Little Brown’s Planet”, “Sweet Whispers, Brother Rush” and “In the Beginning: Creation Stories from Around the World”.
- Representative works: She wrote books such as *The Flying Man* and *Gilly*. She seamlessly blended African American history, mythology, and real life, profoundly changing the face of American children’s literature.
| Birth | Virginia Hamilton | Virginia Hamilton (Wikipedia) |
⚰️ March 12, 2015 — Passed away Terry Pratchett
Britain’s most famous contemporary humor and fantasy writerTerry PrachettSir Alex Ferguson (1948–2015) has passed away.
- Important works and achievements:
- Carnegie Medal: With theThe Cat and the Young Pied Piper-The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents(Published in 2001) won awards 2001 Carnegie Medal.
- contribute: This book is the first novel in his vast “Discworld” series written specifically for young adults. With his signature British dark humor and profound deconstruction of fairy tales (such as The Pied Piper), he explores the cost of thinking and the meaning of life.
| Passed Away | Terry Pratchett | Terry Pratchett (Wikipedia) |
🎂 Born March 12, 1970: Dave Eggers
A renowned contemporary American author and publisherDave EggersBorn. He made significant contributions to both adult and children’s literature.
- Important works and achievements:
- Newbery Medal: With theEyes and Impossible-The Eyes and the Impossible) won 2024 Newbery MedalThis is a wonderful novel told from the first-person perspective of a free-running dog named Johannes, exploring themes of freedom, friendship, and the beauty of nature.
| Birth | Dave Eggers | Dave Eggers (Wikipedia) |
⚰️ March 12, 2019 — Passed away Marjorie W. Sharmat
American children’s book authorMarjorie W. SharmatHe died in 1928–2019.
- Important works and contributions:
- Nate the Detective（Nate the GreatThis classic detective series, which has been a bestseller for half a century (illustrated by Mark Simont and others), has accompanied countless children through the transition from picture books to text books. Nate, who loves pancakes, and his dog named Muddy are highly representative detective characters in early bridge books.
| Deceased | Marjorie W. Sharmat | Marjorie W. Sharmat (Wikipedia) |
🎂 Born March 12, 1953: Carl Hiaasen
American journalist and bestselling authorCarl Hilsonborn.
- Important works and achievements:
- Newbery Honor: With theThe hooting of an owl-Hoot(Published in 2002) won the award 2003 Newbery Silver MedalThis is not only a thrilling suspense novel, but also an environmental manifesto full of dark humor, telling the story of several middle school students who outwit and outmaneuver unscrupulous developers in order to protect the endangered burrowing owl.
| Birth | Carl Hiaasen | Carl Hiaasen (Wikipedia) |
🗓️ Other Important Person Briefings
| event | figure | Details/Awards | Main Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| born | Naomi Shhab Nai (Naomi Shihab Nye) | A Palestinian-American poet and author. Winner of the 2013 Neustadt Children’s Literature Award (NSK), known for his heartfelt and moving poetry for young adults. | Naomi Shihab Nye (Wikipedia) |
| born | Barbara Willard (Barbara Willard) | British author. His most famous work is *The Larks and the Laurels*.The Lark and the Laurel), the first book in the famous historical novel series “Mantelmas,” included in “1001 Children’s Books.” (Note: Her death anniversary was mentioned in the briefing on February 18). | Barbara Willard (Wikipedia) |
| born | Constantine Ciltá (Constantin Chirita) | Romanian writer. His representative work is *The Cherry Child*.Cireşarii(), is one of the most popular adventure series for young people in Romania and is included in “1001 Children’s Books”. | Constantin Chirita (Wikipedia) |
| born | Werner Klemke (Werner Klemke) | A renowned illustrator and graphic designer from East Germany.1967 BIB Golden Apple AwardThe winner (Ferdinand the Flower-Loving Cow)Ferdinand der Stier). | N/A |
| born | Daniel Cohen (Daniel Cohen) | An American children’s nonfiction author. She is beloved by curious children for her books about the supernatural, monsters, and folklore (such as The Encyclopedia of Ghosts). | Daniel Cohen (Wikipedia) |
| Death | Miguel Delibes (Miguel Delibes) | A master of Spanish literature. His representative work is *The Road*.El Camino(This is a story about a country boy’s memories of his hometown and childhood on the night before he leaves for school in the city, and it is included in “1001 Children’s Books”). | Miguel Delibes (Wikipedia) |
| Death | Hans-Georg Pragaux (Hans Georg Prager) | German writer.1966 German Youth Literature PrizeThe winner (Florian 14: The Eighth Alarm) is known for his documentary works on the themes of navigation and firefighting. | Hans Georg Prager (Wikidata) |
