

🎂 October 5, 1943 — Born: Michael Morpurgo
Famous British writer, poet and playwrightMichael MorpurgoSir Michael Morpurgo was born in London. He is one of Britain’s most prolific and respected children’s writers and a former Children’s Laureate.
- Important works and achievements: Morpurgo is known for his moving, historical, and humanitarian novels, particularly hisWar, Animals, and HistoryCreate for the theme.
- His representative works includeWar Horse-War Horse), which was successfully adapted into a famous stage play and movie, and won many awards.
- Other important works includeIsland King-Kensuke’s Kingdom)and“Oranges and lemons-Private Peaceful), which obtained 2004 British Children’s Book Award.
- contribute: His works present complex historical events and profound moral dilemmas in a way that children can understand, encouraging young readers to pay attention to peace, the environment and empathy, making an outstanding lifelong contribution to British children’s literature.

🎂 October 5, 1928 — Born: Louis Fitzhugh
American writer and illustratorLouis FitzhughLouise Fitzhugh (1928–1974) was born in Memphis, Tennessee.
- Importance and Contribution: She is best known for her landmark children’s novelHarriet the Spy-Harriet the Spy, 1964) occupies an important position in the history of children’s literature.Modern realistic novels for childrenA pioneer, for the first timeImperfect, unpopular, and anti-authoritarianThe protagonist image of the film was brought into the children’s literature world.
- Far-reaching impact: The protagonist of the story, Harriet, is an 11-year-old girl who aspires to be a writer. She peeks into the lives of her neighbors and friends and writes down her sharp and honest observations in a notebook. When the book was published, it caused controversy because Harriet “taught children to lie, snoop, and talk back” and was even banned. However, its exploration of children’s inner world has gained wide acclaim.Honest portrayal, especially forLoneliness, Identity, and the Passion for WritingThe description has deeply influenced countless readers and later children’s literature writers and is hailed as a classic.


🎂 October 5, 1959:David ShannonBorn (USA, 1959–) – David Shannon was born in Washington, D.C., and grew up in Spokane, Washington. A writer and illustrator, he graduated from the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena. His No, David! (1998) series, depicting the coming-of-age story of a mischievous boy, won the 1999 Caldecott Medal. His autobiographical and humorous stories have advanced behavioral education and emotional expression in American children’s literature. The series has sold over a million copies, been translated into multiple languages, adapted into an animated series, and influenced anti-bullying programs in schools. David Shannon’s other works, such as Gold!, Duck on a Bike, and Oh No, I Got Stripes!, are also popular in China.

🎂 October 5, 1975 — Born: American children’s illustrator Carson Ellis was born in Vancouver, Canada. She is best known for her picture book “Du Iz Tak?”, a coming-of-age story told through the language of insects. It won the 2017 Caldecott Medal. Her work, which blends fantasy and nature, has advanced visual storytelling innovation in American children’s literature and has won numerous design awards.
🎂 October 5, 1947 — Born: British children’s author Mal Peet was born in North Walsham, Norfolk. He is best known for his young adult novel Tamar, which explores covert operations during World War II and won the 2005 Carnegie Medal. His work explores war and identity, promoting realistic narrative in British children’s literature and has won the Guardian Children’s Fiction Prize.

October 5, 1983 — Born: Korean illustrator Yoo Joo-yeon (presumably Korean: 유주연, English: Jooyun Yoo) was born in Seoul. She is known for her picture book “One Day” (어느날), which depicts everyday fantasy and won the 2011 BIB Golden Apple Award at the Bratislava International Illustration Biennale. Her work, which blends Eastern aesthetics and narrative, has promoted visual innovation in Korean children’s literature.

October 5 — Annual Commemoration: Banned Books Week(Banned Books Week)It is usually held in the first week of October every year.October 5Often used as its start date. The promotional phrase for the event is:“Censorship Is So 1984. Read for Your Rights.“The commemoration was originally launched by the American Library Association in 1982 in response to a sudden surge in book challenges in libraries, schools, and bookstores. The event brings together the book community to support the freedom to read. With the dramatic rise in book ban attempts in recent years, the event has evolved into a vital platform to counter organized censorship campaigns. Key milestones include the ALA’s annual release of the “Top 10 Most Challenged Books of 2024” list during National Library Week and the State of America’s Libraries report, which noted that 721 TP3T attempts at book censorship in 2024 originated from organized groups and government entities (such as elected officials, board members, and administrators). The 120 most frequently targeted books appeared on partisan book rating websites, which provide activists with tools to promote library book censorship. Despite this, the majority of challenged books remain, thanks to the efforts of librarians, faculty, students, and community members. The event also features annual themes and honorary chairs, including banned author Jason Reynolds in 2021, George M. Johnson in 2022, reading advocate LeVar Burton in 2023, and film director Ava DuVernay in 2024. ALA President Cindy Hohl emphasized that the event serves as a reminder that censorship efforts persist today and that the community must unite to defend the right to read.
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[0] October 5 Writer Birthdays – The Petrini Page
[2] Youth Literature Festival – ChambanaMoms.com
[3] Banned Books Week | October 5–11, 2025
[10] Carson Ellis Facts for Kids
https://kids.kiddle.co/Carson_Ellis
[11] Carson Ellis | The Wildwood Chronicles Wiki – Fandom
https://the-wildwood-chronicles.fandom.com/wiki/Carson_Ellis
[12] 2017 Newbery and Caldecott Medal Winners
[13] Seven Questions Over Breakfast with Carson Ellis – blaine.org
http://blaine.org/sevenimpossiblethings/?p=2136
[14] Carson Ellis – Onward at buyolympia.com
https://buyolympia.com/Item/carson-ellis-onward-notecard
[15] What I Learned from the 2017 Caldecott Winners’ Portland Panel
[16] Portland illustrator Carson Ellis’ latest picture book is a Caldecott…
https://www.oregonlive.com/books/2017/02/carson_ellis_caldecott.html
[17] [PDF] Caldecott Medal & Honor Books, 1938 to present
[18] About David Shannon, Author and Illustrator
[19] David Shannon: 20 Years of No, David! | Shelf Awareness
https://www.shelf-awareness.com/readers/2018–08-28/david_shannon:_20_years_of_no_david_.html
[20] Shannon, David 1959- | Encyclopedia.com
https://www.encyclopedia.com/children/scholarly-magazines/shannon-david-1959
[21] David Shannon Facts for Kids
https://kids.kiddle.co/David_Shannon
[22] David Goes to School – David Shannon – Google Books
https://books.google.mg/books?id=tNgA847HrccC&lr=&source=gbs_book_other_versions_r&cad=1
[23] David Shannon | Author | LibraryThing
https://www.librarything.com/author/shannondavid
[24] [PDF] David Shannon Biography (PDF) – Scholastic
[25] David Shannon Archives – San Diego Junior Theater
https://juniortheatre.com/artists/david-shannon
[26] Mal Peet – Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mal_Peet
[27] Peet, Mal (Malcolm Peet) – Encyclopedia.com
https://www.encyclopedia.com/arts/educational-magazines/peet-mal-malcolm-peet
[28] Mal Peet – Trivia, Family, Bio | Famous Birthdays
https://www.famousbirthdays.com/people/mal-peet.html
[29] Mal Peet: Author who produced his first novel at the age of 52 and –
[30] Carnegie Medal in Literature | Rarest Kind of Best
[31] Mal Peet Facts for Kids
https://kids.kiddle.co/Mal_Peet
[32] Carnegie newcomer beats veteran shortlist – The Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2006/jul/07/carnegiemedal2005.carnegiemedal
[33] Carnegie Medal Award Winners – *Children’s Literature Guide
https://guides.lib.campbell.edu/childrens_literature/carnegie-medal-award-winners
[34] Carnegie Medal for Writing – Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carnegie_Medal_for_Writing
[35] Obituary: Mal Peet – Publishers Weekly