⚰️ 1942 – Death: Will James
Joseph Ernest Nephtali Dufault (1892–1942), a renowned French-Canadian/American cowboy writer and illustrator, was born. He lived a real life as a cowboy, hunting horses and herding livestock. His works are famous for their authentic and simple Western cowboy slang, bold and vivid charcoal sketches, and deep affection for the nature of horses and the Western wilderness.
- Top Award and Representative Works:
- Masmooch, the Cowherd (Smoky the Cowhorse(1926, also translated as *Smokey the Cowherd*) — Awarded The 1927 Newbery MedalThe book unfolds from the perspective of Smokey, a bleached wild horse born in the Western wilderness. Tamed by the perceptive and gentle cowboy Clint, he becomes a top-notch cattle partner. However, after being robbed by horse thieves, abused in a circus, and subjected to heavy labor, Smokey’s temperament changes drastically, turning him into a ferocious “wild horse.” Only years later, when the aged Smokey reunites with Clint, does he regain trust and peace in the familiar call of Clint. The work profoundly portrays the most genuine bond between humans and animals.
| Passed Away | Will James | Will James (Wikipedia) |
⚰️ 1987 – Death: Doris Gates
She was a renowned American children’s author, children’s librarian, and storytelling expert (1901–1987). She was one of the pioneers in the history of American children’s literature who broke away from traditional romantic fantasy formulas and directly addressed the realistic issues of migrant workers and the Great Depression.
- Top Award and Representative Works:
- Jenny’s Dream (Blue Willow(Illustrated by Paul Landz, 1940) — Awarded Newbery Honor, 1941Hailed as the “children’s version of *The Grapes of Wrath*,” this story takes place in California’s San Joaquin Valley during the Great Depression. Ten-year-old Jenny lives a nomadic life with her parents, who work seasonal jobs driving an old truck. Her most treasured possession is a blue willow plate, symbolizing her longing for a stable and warm home that truly belongs to her. The work sincerely portrays the self-respect and unwavering commitment to a better life within a working-class family.
| Passed Away | Doris Gates | Doris Gates (Wikipedia) |
⚰️ 2016 — Died: Anna Dewdney
She was a renowned American children’s picture book author, illustrator, and early reading promoter (1965–2016). She was known worldwide for her highly rhythmic readings of poetry, her delicate and level emotional resonance with young children, and the warm and bright texture of her oil paintings.
- Representative works and content passed down through generations:
- ““Alpaca Rama” series（Llama Llama The series, starting with “Rama in the Red Pajamas”.Llama Llama Red Pajama(2005) — Selected for “1001 Children’s Books,” a globally popular classic bedtime picture book for toddlers. The story accurately captures the separation anxiety of a toddler lying alone in a dark bedroom waiting for their mother to come upstairs after washing the dishes. Rama’s loud calls and the mother’s gentle yet firm hug convey a sense of security to the child that “even when Mom isn’t there, her love for you has never left,” making it a bedtime bible for millions of families across the United States.
| Deceased | Anna Dewdney | Anna Dewdney (Wikipedia) |
🎂 Born 1929: Aliki (born Aliki Brandenberg)
A renowned Greek-American children’s picture book author and illustrator (1929). She was one of the core creators of the “Let’s-Read-and-Find-Out Science” series in the United States, and was adept at transforming complex physiological science, historical and archaeological knowledge into highly approachable comic strip-style panels and humorous dialogues.
- Representative works and content:
- My Five Senses (My Five Senses(1962) — A global classic for early childhood sensory development: Through the everyday scenes of a lively little boy observing birds, smelling flowers, tasting ice cream, and petting a kitten, it explains to young children, using a minimalist text system, how sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch help us understand the world.
- Excavating Dinosaurs (Digging Up Dinosaurs(1981) — A classic children’s picture book on natural history: Through a lively and humorous museum visit perspective, it explains in detail the entire process of dinosaur fossil excavation, cleaning, plaster wrapping and transportation, and skeleton mounting.
| Birth | Aliki | Aliki Brandenberg (Wikipedia) |
🎂 1961 – Born: Andy Griffiths
A renowned Australian children’s humor and adventure novelist (1961). He is known for his extremely absurd and fantastical ideas, unconventional slapstick humor, and boundless imagination, which have made him a favorite among children in lower and middle grades worldwide.
- Representative works and content:
- “Crazy Treehouse series（The Treehouse Books The series, starting with “The Adventures of Little Rascal in His Treehouse: The 13-Story Treehouse”.The 13-Storey Treehouse(2011, illustrated by Terry Denton) — Selected for “1001 Children’s Books,” a milestone bridge book with tens of millions of copies sold worldwide. The story revolves around the crazy life of author Andy and illustrator Terry in their treehouse, which features a bowling alley, a see-through swimming pool, a machine that automatically feeds marshmallows to children, and all sorts of incredible facilities. Each book adds 13 more floors to the original, perfectly blending absurd humor with visual comics.
- His representative works also include the humorous short story collection *Super Annoying!*Just annoying!).
| Birth | Andy Griffiths | Andy Griffiths (Wikipedia) |
🎂 Born in 1928: Jan Kudláček
Czech painter, book illustrator, and animation art designer (1928–2017). His painting style is characterized by a strong Bohemian expressionism, wet-on-wet watercolor rendering, and a dreamlike, poetic quality.
- International Awards and Representative Works:
- With his adaptation of Eduard Petiška’s picture book “Petrushka” (PetruškaIllustrations drawn in 1970 won an award. Plaque Award, 1971 Bratislava International Biennial of Illustrations (BIB)With an extremely delicate and clear watercolor texture, it showcases the tranquil atmosphere of Central European folk puppets and autumn forests.
| Birth | Jan Kudláček | Jan Kudláček (Wikipedia) |
🎂 Born 1979: Will Hill
British teen suspense and psychological realism novelist (1979). He excels at exploring adolescent trauma healing, independent thinking, and breaking free from mental control through highly suspenseful dual-timeline narratives.
- Top Award and Representative Works:
- After the Fire (After the Fire(2017) — Awarded 2021 German Youth Literature Prize (DJLP) Young Jury Grand PrizeThe film, shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal, is based on a true historical event and tells the story of 17-year-old Moonbeam, who grows up in a secluded extremist religious base. After the base is destroyed in a fire and a shootout between police and criminals, Moonbeam, through conversations with a psychiatrist in a mental institution, uses a dual narrative of “before the fire” and “after the fire” to bravely unravel the deep-seated guilt and secrets within her heart and rebuild her trust in the real world.
| Birth | Will Hill | Will Hill (Wikipedia) |
⚰️ 1971 – Death: Mabel Leigh Hunt
American author of historical fiction and biographical novels for children, and former children’s librarian (1892–1971).
- Twice awarded the Newbery Honor:
- Johnny Appleseed (Better Known as Johnny Appleseed(1950) — Awarded 1951 Newbery Silver MedalWith an extremely warm and rigorous historical style, it records the life and great love of John Chapman, a legendary figure in the American pioneering period, as he sowed apple seeds all over the mountains.
- Have you ever seen Thumb Tom? (Have you seen Tom Thumb?(1942) — Awarded 1943 Newbery Silver MedalIt vividly recounts the true and legendary history of Charles Stratton, the 19th-century circus legend known as “Tom Thumb,” as he toured the world.
| Passed Away | Mabel Leigh Hunt | Mabel Leigh Hunt (Wikipedia) |