⚰️ 1991 – Died: Isaac Bashevis Singer
Polish-American Jewish writer and 1978 Nobel laureate in Literature (1903–1991). He began working in children’s literature in his sixties, incorporating Eastern European Jewish folklore, the Yiddish oral narrative tradition, and his reflections on life into his children’s works.
- Three-time Newbery Honor recipient. Representative works:
- Zlat the Goat and Other Stories (Zlateh the Goat and Other Stories(Illustration by Maurice Sendak, 1966) 1967 Newbery Silver MedalThe title story tells of Aaron, a boy from a poor family, who is forced to take his old goat Zlat to town to sell during a blizzard. The two survive by clinging to each other in a haystack in the snow, eventually developing a deep bond and deciding never to sell the goat again. The work showcases the mutual support and warmth between humans and animals.
- The Horrible Inn (The Fearsome Inn(1967) — 1968 Newbery Silver MedalIt is a classic folk fantasy story that tells the tale of a young man and woman imprisoned in a secret forest chamber by a devil and a witch, who use their wisdom, sense of justice, and spells to fight against evil forces and ultimately escape danger.
- When Schlemir Went to Warsaw and Other Stories (When Shlemiel Went to Warsaw and Other Stories(1968) — 1969 Newbery Silver MedalIt contains absurd and satirical folk tales about “Chelm the Fool,” which humorously portray the naivety and stupidity of human nature through the hilarious experience of the protagonist Schlemir who gets lost and thinks he has arrived in “another Warsaw.”
- Other major awards: In 1970, he gained fame with his autobiographical children’s book, *A Happy Day: The Growing-Up Story of a Warsaw Boy*.A Day of PleasureIt won the National Book Award for Children’s Literature and records the author’s real life and local customs on Crochmarna Street in Warsaw during his childhood.
| Passed Away | Isaac Bashevis Singer | Isaac Bashevis Singer (Wikipedia) |
🎂 1802 – Birth: Alexandre Dumas
French Romantic novelist and playwright of the 19th century (1802–1870).
- Representative works and content:
- The Three Musketeers (Les Trois mousquetairesThe story follows D’Artagnan, a young man from Gascony, as he travels to Paris to join the King’s Musketeers. There, he forms a close bond with three musketeers—Athos, Porthos, and Aramis—and together they fight against the plot of Cardinal Richelieu and uphold Queen Anne’s honor in a popular adventure epic. With its chivalrous spirit of “all for one, and one for all” and its tense pace, the work has been adapted into children’s and young adult books for many years.
| Birth | Alexandre Dumas | Alexandre Dumas (Wikipedia) |
🎂 1902 – Born: Esther Averill
American children’s author, editor, and publisher (1902–1992).
- Representative works and content:
- Firefighter Cat (The Fire CatSelected for the renowned I Can Read! beginner reading series, this story tells of Pickles, a somewhat grumpy and mischievous yellow cat, who finds his niche after being adopted by the fire department. Using his agility, he helps firefighters rescue kittens from trees and eventually grows into a beloved and official “firefighter cat.”
- ““Black Cat Jenny” series(e.g. Jenny Linsky: Stray Cats and the Cat Club): tells the story of Jenny Linsky, a shy but kind-hearted little black cat wearing a red scarf, who overcomes her timidity and shares adventures and daily interactions with her friends at the cat club.
| Birth | Esther Averill | Esther Averill (Wikipedia) |
🎂 1940 — Born: Shizuko Wakayama
Japanese picture book author and illustrator (1940–2020).
- Representative works and content:
- Dongdugudong (どんどこどん): A picture book for young children that uses dynamic and rhythmic illustrations to depict the growth process of plants. With bold lines and highly saturated colors, it depicts the life rhythm of seeds under the soil as they sprout, grow branches, and eventually bear heavy red tomatoes amidst the “thump-thump” sounds.
- I Am the King series（ぼくは王さま(Written by Teruo Teramura): This story tells the hilarious daily life of a little king who loves to eat a plate of fried eggs with sauce, and is somewhat willful yet adorable, deeply resonating with young children.
| Birth | Shizuko Wakayama | Shizuko Wakayama (Wikipedia) |
🎂 1949 – Born: Stasys Eidrigevičius
A Polish illustrator, poster artist, and fine artist of Lithuanian descent (1949). His works often feature surrealist elements and unique masks, optical illusions, and psychological dramatic tension.
- Representative works and highlights:
- Puss in Boots (Der gestiefelte Kater) — The 1991 BIB Grand PrixIn this classic fairy tale, he completely subverted the traditional cute anthropomorphic image, using rough textures, exaggerated mask-like shapes, and profound light and shadow compositions to reshape a mysterious and strategically rational Puss in Boots.
- Robot and Butterfly (Robotas ir peteliškė(1979 BIB Award Winner): It explores the visual and emotional collision between cold, mechanical creations and lively, natural butterflies, and is full of surrealist philosophical thinking.
| Birth | Stasys Eidrigevičius | Stasys Eidrigevičius (Wikipedia) |
⚰️ 1984 – Death: José Mauro de Vasconcelos
Brazilian writer (1920–1984).
- Representative works and content:
- My Dear Sweet Orange Tree (O meu pé de laranja lima(1968): A realistic coming-of-age novel with strong autobiographical elements. The story tells of Zezé, a 5‑year-old boy from a poor family. Although mischievous and often punished, he possesses an extremely rich and delicate inner world. He adopts a small orange tree in his backyard, treating it as a close friend who understands him; later, he befriends a kind old Portuguese man, experiencing love and care through friendship. The story realistically portrays the resilience of children in impoverished environments and their emotional journey as they bid farewell to childhood.
| Died | José Mauro de Vasconcelos | José Mauro de Vasconcelos (Wikipedia) |
🍃 [other]
| event | figure | Details/Awards | Wikipedia/Data Links |
|---|---|---|---|
| born | Percy Fitzpatrick | South African writer and politician (1862–1931). His autobiographical masterpiece is *Adventures in the Yorkshire Jungle*.Jock of the Bushveld(1907) tells the true story of the author’s adventures in the South African gold rush at the end of the 19th century, with his brave and loyal flathead hound “York” as he survived, transported goods and hunted in the wild. It is listed in “1001 Children’s Books”. | Percy Fitzpatrick |
| born | Ursula Wulfekamp | German children’s book translator (1955). She gained fame for her translation of *Through the Fire*.Durch das große Feuer) won 2024 German Youth Literature Prize (DJLP) Translation Award. | Ursula Wulfekamp (Wikidata) |
| born | Toshio Kajiyama | Japanese painter and picture book author (1935–2016).Twice awarded the BIB Golden Apple Award(1973) The wind festivalNursery Rhymes (1997)Warabe-utaHis works are characterized by combining the charm of classical Japanese folk customs with the simple style of ink painting; his representative works also include illustrations for “Friends of Science: Big, Small, and Even Smaller”. | Toshio Kajiyama |
| Death | Alvin Tresselt | American children’s editor and picture book author (1916–2000). His collaboration with Roger Duwassen on *Snow White* (also known as *Dark Snow*).White Snow, Bright SnowThe 1948 Caldecott Medal winner’s novel, *Raindrops*, delicately depicts the different poetic reactions of the postman, policeman, and children as the town welcomes its first heavy snowfall; *Raindrops*, a collaboration with Leonard Wiesgold, is another example.Rain Drop SplashThe 1947 Caldecott Silver Medal (which also shows rainwater gathering into streams and flowing into the ocean) illustrates the process of rainwater converging into streams and flowing into the ocean. | Alvin Tresselt |
| Death | Palmer Cox | Canadian-American illustrator and cartoonist (1840–1924). His “Brown Elf” series (The Brownies: Their Book(1887) tells the story of a group of Scottish legendary elves who come out to help with housework and play while humans are asleep. It was one of the most influential children’s picture books in North America at the end of the 19th century. | Palmer Cox |
