🎂 1915 – Born: Barbara Smucker
A renowned American-Canadian historical fiction writer, journalist, and librarian (1915–2003). She excelled at using authentic and rigorous historical documents and archives to focus on the survival struggles and choices for freedom of Indigenous peoples and African slaves during periods of great historical upheaval.
- Representative works and content:
- The Underground Passage to Canada (Underground to Canada(1977, also translated as *Running Towards Canada*) — Selected for *1001 Children’s Books*, a classic of Canadian children’s literature. Set against the backdrop of the Underground Railroad on the eve of the American Civil War in the 19th century, the story follows Julie, a young enslaved girl on a plantation, and her companion Lisa. Guided by abolitionist Alexander Ross, they evade vicious dogs and pursuers as they journey north, crossing Lake Erie towards the land of freedom in Canada—a perilous escape and a journey of growth.
| Birth | Barbara Smucker | Barbara Smucker (Wikipedia) |
🎂 Born 1922: Rosa Guy
Trinidadian-American author, pioneer of young adult literature, and social activist (1922–2012). She was one of the co-founders of the Harlem Writers Guild and is known for her works that directly address urban poverty, racial conflict, immigrant identity, and adolescent psychological anguish.
- Representative works and content:
- “friend” (The Friends(1973) — Selected for “1001 Children’s Books,” the first book in her famous “Harlem Trilogy.” It tells the story of Felicia, a young girl who immigrates from the West Indies to Harlem, New York, and feels extremely lonely facing a strict and authoritarian father and a cold and unfamiliar school environment. She befriends Edith, a ragged but independent and strong-willed girl, and the two develop a complex and sincere friendship amidst class differences and family changes, profoundly showcasing the self-esteem and the costs of growing up for immigrant children.
| Birth | Rosa Guy | Rosa Guy (Wikipedia) |
🎂 1929 – Born: Gennadij Kalinovskij
A renowned Soviet/Russian book illustrator and printmaking master (1929–2006). He was known for his highly absurd and surrealistic metaphors and his exquisite and dense pen-and-ink etching techniques. He created stunning illustrations for classic works such as “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” and “Gulliver’s Travels”.
- International Awards and Representative Works:
- With his work on Joel Chandler Harris’s famous novel, “Uncle Remus’s Story“Skazki djadjuški Rimusa / Russian original name Сказки дядюшки РимусаIllustrations drawn in 1976 won an award. Golden Apple Award at the 1977 Bratislava International Biennial of Illustrations (BIB)He used animal shapes full of tension and micro-expressions to endow “Brother Rabbit” and “Brother Fox” with a high degree of folk wisdom and dark humor.
| Birth | Gennadij Kalinovskij | Калиновский, Геннадий Владимирович (Wikipedia) |
⚰️ 1964 – Died: Marjorie Torrey
Torrey Chanslor (1891–1964), an American children’s book illustrator and author, also used the pen name Torrey Chanslor. Her style features an elegant and gentle classical watercolor and gouache texture, and she excels at depicting the innocent faces and vivid emotions of children.
- Twice awarded the Caldecott Honor:
- Sing Mother Goose (Sing Mother Goose(1945, arranged by Opal Wheeler) — Award 1946 Caldecott Honor: I drew illustrations full of warmth and family atmosphere for classic nursery rhyme soundtracks, integrating sheet music with nursery rhyme scenes.
- Hymn Collection (Sing in Praise: A Collection of the Best Loved Hymns(1946, edited by Opal Wheeler) — Awarded 1947 Caldecott HonorIt uses extremely delicate and peaceful light and shadow to depict the historical stories and religious poetry behind classic children’s hymns.
| Passed Away | Marjorie Torrey | Marjorie Torrey (Wikipedia) |