🎂 March 4, 1906 – Birth: Meidert DeJong
Dutch-American renowned children’s literature authorMeindert DejongBorn in 1906–1991. He is known for his extremely delicate psychological descriptions and profound insights into the emotions of children and animals.
- Highest Honor:
- Hans Christian Andersen Award (HCAA): At 1962 AwardedInternational Hans Christian Andersen Award for Writers.
- Newbery Medal: With theWheels on the school roof-The Wheel on the SchoolPublished in 1954, illustrated by Maurice Sendak, it won an award. Newbery Medal, 1955.
- Representative works:
- Wheels on the School RoofIt tells a heartwarming story about the children of a small Dutch fishing village who work together to find a wheel on their roof in order to attract storks back to their village to build their nests.
- Houses for Sixty Fathers（The House of Sixty FathersSet against the backdrop of China’s War of Resistance against Japan, the story tells the touching tale of a Chinese boy named Tianbao and his piglet who flee and are taken in by a squadron of American pilots (sixty “fathers”) (winner of the Newbery Silver Medal).
- A Journey Through Mint Street（Journey from Peppermint Street): Winner of the inaugural National Book Award for Children’s Literature.
| Birth | Meidert DeJong | Meindert DeJong (Wikipedia) |
🎂 Born March 4, 1953: Peggy Rathmann
American renowned pictorial book author and illustratorPeggy RatmanBorn. Her work is extremely humorous, full of rich visual details and hidden Easter eggs that will fascinate young children.
- Important works and achievements:
- Caldecott Medal: With theOfficer Barker and police dog Gloria-Officer Buckle and Gloria(Published in 1995) won awards 1996 Caldecott MedalThis picture book tells a hilarious yet heartwarming story of the friendship between a rigid police officer and his police dog who makes funny faces and steals the spotlight from behind.
- Timeless classics: Goodnight, Gorilla（Good night, GorillaThis picture book, which has almost no words, has become a must-have “bedtime book” for countless families around the world through the plot of the animals secretly taking the keeper’s key and going home.
| Birth | Peggy Rathmann | Peggy Rathmann (Wikipedia) |
🎂 Born March 4, 1966: Dav Pilkey
American phenomenal bestselling author and cartoonistDave PilchHe was born. He is a “hero” for children around the world, especially boys who resist reading.
- Important works and achievements:
- The Underpants Man series（Captain UnderpantsThis book series, which combines comics, parody, and wordplay, tells the story of two mischievous boys who hypnotize a mean-spirited principal into a superhero wearing only underwear. It has sold tens of millions of copies worldwide and has greatly stimulated children’s interest in reading.
- Caldecott Honor: Before becoming known for his parodies, he had previously gained fame for his work in [the film/TV series].Newsboy-The Paperboy(Published in 1996) won awards 1997 Caldecott HonorThis demonstrates his profound and serene painting skills.
| Birth | Dav Pilkey | Dav Pilkey (Wikipedia) |
⚰️ March 4, 2002 — Passed away Elyne Mitchell
Famous Australian writerElaine MitchellHe died in 1913–2002.
- Important works and contributions:
- Silver Horse series（The Silver Brumby(1958): This is a classic set of animal literature novels.
- content: Set against the backdrop of the Australian Alps, the story tells of the beautiful silver Brumby, Taura, and how he survives harsh natural conditions and human pursuit to become the king of horses. It is beloved by Australian children and has been adapted into films and animated series, and included in the book “1001 Children’s Books”.
| Passed Away | Elyne Mitchell | Elyne Mitchell (Wikipedia) |
🗓️ Other Important Person Briefings
| event | figure | Details/Awards | Main Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| born | David A. Carter (David A. Carter) | American pop-up book master. Representative work: *How Many Bugs Are in the Box?*How many bugs in a box?It is known for its exquisite paper engineering and vibrant colors. | David A. Carter (Wikipedia) |
| born | John Ryan (John Ryan) | British animator and cartoonist. His most famous work is *The Pirate Captain*.Captain PugwashThe image of the bluffing but cowardly pirate he created is a classic symbol of British culture and is included in “1001 Children’s Books”. | John Ryan (Wikipedia) |
| Death | Elizabeth Oz (Elizabeth Olds) | American artist and illustrator.1952 Caldecott MedalThe winner (from “Feather Mountain”)Feather Mountain). | Elizabeth Olds (Wikipedia) |
| Death | Louis Jensen (Louis Jensen) | Danish writer.2016 Hans Christian Andersen Award (Author Award) FinalistThe work is full of Nordic philosophy, magic, and absurdity. | Louis Jensen (Wikipedia) |
Representative works:
1 Hundrede historier (1992), One Hundred Stories (or Square Stories, Book 1), is the first book in his most famous “Square Stories” series. He finally achieved the feat of writing 1,001 square-shaped micro-fictions, which is one of the most radical and unique literary experiments in the history of Danish literature.
2. Krystalmanden (1986), *The Crystal Man*, his first novel for young adults, marked his brilliant transition from poet to children’s literature writer. The work is full of surrealism and magical realism, laying the foundation for his later writing style.
3. Rejsen til Gud (2011), The Journey to God, which was nominated for several literary awards and adapted into a play, demonstrates Jansen’s ability to handle grand and serious life issues while retaining a childlike and poetic quality. It is a representative work of his later period.