🎂 1926 – Born: James Krüss
One of Germany’s greatest contemporary children’s literature writers and poets (1926–1997). With his unparalleled philosophical insights, imaginative talent, and masterful control of language rhythm, he became a leading figure in the post-war revival of German children’s literature.
- Highest Honor: 1968 Hans Christian Andersen Award (HCAA) for Best WriterThe winner.
- An immortal masterpiece:
- The Child Who Sold His Laughter (Timm Thaler oder Das verkaufte Lachen(This is a quote from a novel): His world-class masterpiece. It tells the story of an orphan named Tim who uses his infectious laughter to exchange for the ability to win every bet with a devilishly wealthy man, thus unfolding a profound reflection on the soul, happiness, and capital.
- Me and My Great-Grandfather and the Heroes (Mein Urgroßvater, die Helden und ich(Winner of the 1960 German Youth Literature Prize (DJLP), a wonderful dialogue novel about what true heroism is.)
- The Lighthouse of Lobster Reef (In de vuurtoren op de Kreeftenrots)。
| Birth | James Krüss | James Krüss (Wikipedia) |
🎂 1937 — Born: Shigeo Nishimura
He is a renowned Japanese picture book author and illustrator. He excels at using extremely grand panoramic compositions and dense, meticulous details to record the everyday life, transportation, and spirit of human society.
- Representative works:
- My First Train Ride(Alternative translation: Night Train)やこうれっしゃ(This is a visual masterpiece in the history of modern wordless picture books. The entire book contains no words, yet through the postures of various characters on a night bus traveling from Ueno to Tohoku, it vividly depicts the diverse lives of people in the Showa era and their longing for home.)
- Our Map Travel (ぼくらの地図Travel), and the enormous historical scroll “Illustrated History of Japan” (絵で见る日本の歴史)。
- Artistic features: Shigeo Nishimura’s works are a standard “search + re-search” treasure trove of information. Every corner of his writing hides a small story, possessing extremely high sociological and historical documentary value.
| Birth | Shigeo Nishimura | Nishimura Shigeo(Wikipedia) |
🎂 1893 – Born: Elizabeth Coatsworth
She was a renowned American novelist and poet (1893–1986). She was an early female creator in American children’s literature with a highly international perspective and a deep understanding of classical Eastern aesthetics.
- Highest Honor: The 1931 Newbery Medal The winner.
- Representative works: The Cat That Went to Heaven (The Cat Who Went to Heaven)。
- Literary and historical background: Cotsworth traveled extensively to Eastern countries such as China and Japan. This award-winning masterpiece, set against the backdrop of a Japanese Buddhist monk, tells the story of a poor painter facing a moral dilemma while painting a picture of Buddha’s Nirvana: whether a cat could enter heaven, and ultimately, a miracle occurred. She perfectly blends Buddhist compassion and animistic philosophy with elegant poetry, creating a huge sensation in the American children’s book world.
| Birth | Elizabeth Coatsworth | Elizabeth Coatsworth (Wikipedia) |
⚰️ 2002 – Death: Dagmar Berková
An immortal Czech female graphic artist and illustrator (1922–2002). She was one of the most elegant creators of fantastical visuals during the golden age of Czech picture books.
- International Honors: With the works Kytička pro štěstí Awarded Plaque Award, 1975 Bratislava International Biennial of Illustrations (BIB).
- Artistic Style: Berkova illustrated classic works such as “Andersen’s Fairy Tales” and “Alice in Louis Caro” for many years. Her style was deeply influenced by Surrealism, with lines as smooth and delicate as silk, and colors with a cold and mysterious quality reminiscent of old European court murals. She was extremely adept at expressing the profound, introspective, and slightly dreamlike psychological states of female characters.
| Passed Away | Dagmar Berková | Dagmar Berková (Wikipedia) |
🗓️ Other Important Creator Briefings
| event | figure | Details/Awards | Wikipedia link |
|---|---|---|---|
| born | Phillip Hoose | A renowned American nonfiction author. His powerful and moving nonfiction work, *Claudette Colvin: Two Steps Towards Justice*, focuses on the true story of a young pioneer of the civil rights movement.Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice) won 2010 Newbery Silver Medal. | Phillip Hoose |
| born | Harry Mazer | A renowned American realist young adult novelist (1925–2016). His representative work is the “Boys’ War Trilogy” (such as…). A Boy at War“Boy in War” depicts the fate of a boy after the attack on Pearl Harbor with extremely delicate and restrained strokes. | Harry Mazer |
| born | Elaine Moore | A prolific American children’s novelist (1948). Skilled at capturing the social conflicts and awkwardness of growing up among school children, her representative works are school novels beloved by readers in lower and middle grades. Get That Girl Out of the Boys’ Locker Room! . | Elaine Moore |
