🎂 Born 1952: Paul Fleischman
A renowned American children’s and young adult author and poet (1952), winner of the Newbery Medal.Sid FleischmanThe son of the father and son (the two became the only father and son to win the Newbery Medal in history). His works are renowned in the literary world for their highly innovative two-part antiphonal poetry, profound interweaving of multiple perspectives, and microscopic observations of human civilization.
- Top Award and Representative Works:
- Jubilant Noise: Two-Part Children’s Poetry (Joyful Noise: Poems for Two Voices(Illustration by Eric Beddows, 1988) — Awarded 1989 Newbery MedalA rare Gold Medal-winning collection of pure poetry in Newbery history. The entire book is designed for “two people to read aloud at the same time,” with a symmetrical layout resembling a musical score on the left and right, simulating the overlapping rhythms and natural harmonies of insects such as crickets, cicadas, fireflies, and water striders, integrating the acoustic charm of language with insect natural history observation.
- Wesley’s Kingdom (Weslandia(1999, illustrated by Kevin Hawkes) — A globally bestselling classic picture book for young learners: Wesley, a boy who doesn’t conform and is considered an oddball at school, decides to build his own “kingdom of civilization” in his backyard during summer vacation. He cultivates magical crops never seen before, using them to make food, clothes, and ink. He invents his own sundial, units of measurement, an octal system, and an alphabet, eventually attracting his former classmates who mocked him to join him. The book profoundly celebrates independent thinking, creativity, and the expression of individuality.
- The Girl on the Windmill (Whirligig(1998) — A novel about young Brent’s redemption after a tragic car accident, in which he builds windmills in four corners of the United States to atone for the lives lost and to regain hope.
- His representative works also include “The Sculpted Idol,” which was shortlisted for the 1983 Newbery Honor.Graven Images), the creation myth picture book “The First Ray of Light in the World“First Light, First Life); In 2012, he was shortlisted for the Hans Christian Andersen Award (HCAA) Author Award.
| Birth | Paul Fleischman | Paul Fleischman (Wikipedia) |
⚰️ 1957 – Death: Anne Parrish
She was a renowned American children’s author, novelist, and illustrator (1888–1957). Born into an artistic family, she excelled at writing and illustrating her own works. Her writing style was humorous and gentle, full of imaginative personification and a keen understanding of children’s psychology.
- Three-time Newbery Honor recipient:
- Floating Island (Floating Island(1930, also translated as *The Doll’s Family’s Island Adventure*) — Awarded Newbery Silver Medal, 1931A self-written and self-illustrated toy adventure fairy tale. A family of porcelain dolls are packed into a box and shipped by sea with their toy house. During the voyage, they are shipwrecked and drift to a deserted tropical island. On the island, the dolls befriend tropical animals and gradually adapt to island life; however, the doll mother passionately suggests leaving the deserted island because “dolls need children, and children need dolls.” In the end, they return to the human world by setting off signal fireworks. It is hailed by the *Horn Book* as a fantasy masterpiece comparable to *Doctor Dolittle*.
- The Story of Appleby Kapoor (The Story of Appleby Capple(1950) — Awarded 1951 Newbery Silver MedalA self-written and self-illustrated all-alphabet narrative novel that tells the story of a five-year-old boy named Appleby’s whimsical adventure in search of a zebra butterfly as a birthday gift for his elders.
- Dream Bus (The Dream Coach(1924, co-authored and illustrated with his brother Dilwin Parish) — Awarded Newbery Silver Medal, 1925.
| Deceased | Anne Parrish | Anne Parrish (Wikipedia) |
🎂 Born 1955: Tiina Nopola
She was a renowned Finnish children’s author and playwright (1955). She often collaborated with her sister Sinikka Nopola, and her works are widely loved for their vivid and humorous dialogue, brisk pace, and portrayal of everyday life in modern Finnish families and the subtle relationship between the sisters.
- Representative works and content:
- ““Straw Hat and Socks” Series（Heinähattu ja Vilttitossu / Hayflower and Quiltshoe (Series, launched in 1989) — A nationally renowned humorous children’s series in Finland. The story follows the cautious and well-behaved older sister “Straw Hat,” who is about to start primary school, and her energetic and mischievous younger sister “Socks,” as they encounter various hilarious daily mishaps in a somewhat quirky yet heartwarming family. It has since been adapted for the big screen and puppet stage multiple times.
- ““Naughty Girl Hitch” Series（Siri / Siiri (series, illustrated by Maeve Paley/Mervi Lindman) — A humorous picture book about the independent and clever little girl Shiggy and her neighbors and friends.
- His representative works also include the campus humor story “The Mischievous Kid of Lidonin Village”.
| Birth | Tiina Nopola | Tiina Nopola (Wikipedia) |
🎂 1921 – Born: Óscar Alfaro
Bolivia’s renowned children’s poet, children’s literature writer, and folklorist (1921–1963). He was hailed as “Bolivia’s Hans Christian Andersen” and dedicated himself to conveying social concern, natural beauty, and freedom and dignity to underprivileged children through simple and clear poetry and animal fables.
- Representative works and content:
- The Toad Who Wanted to Be a Star (El sapoque quería ser estrella(1957) — Selected for *1001 Children’s Books*. A collection of philosophical Latin American fables and fairy tales: the eponymous story tells of a toad living in a swamp who, envious of the fireflies shining in the sky, swallows one whole, believing that it will make him a shining star. The work uses concise and vivid fables to satirize vanity and blind faith, showcasing the pure wisdom of Latin American folk oral literature.
| Birth | Óscar Alfaro | Óscar Alfaro (Wikipedia) |
🎂 1944 – Born: Federico Maggioni
Italian renowned picture book illustrator, graphic designer, and art director (1944). He served as the art director of the famous children’s weekly magazine “Corriere dei Piccoli” for a long time. His style is characterized by a strong modernist composition, bold black and white geometric lines, and absurd, dry humor.
- International Awards and Representative Works:
- With his work on “A Witch Travels by Steam” (C’era una strega che andava a vaporeThe illustrations, drawn by [author’s name], possess a highly modern compositional feel and have won [awards/recognition]. Plaque Award, 1993 Bratislava International Biennial of Illustrations (BIB).
| Birth | Federico Maggioni | Federico Maggioni (Wikipedia) |
