BEVERLY CLEARY
On the 12th of this month American children's author Beverly Cleary will be 103. She was born in 1916 in Oregon. Her mother was a school teacher and her father was a farmer so until she was six Beverly lived on a farm in rural Yamhill.
When the family moved to the city of Portland Cleary had problems adjusting. She struggled at school and was put in a group for slow readers. But, with the help of the school librarian she caught up and started to spend a lot of time reading. By the 6th grade her teacher suggested she become a children's author because her essays were so good.
She attended the University of California at Berkley to study English while working as a seamstress and chambermaid to pay for her tuition. She later graduated from the University of Washington with a Master's degree in library science.
Cleary's first book, Henry Huggins (1950), was immediately published and was the first in a series. Other beloved characters like Ramona Quimby, and Ellen Tebbits, soon followed.
Five facts about Beverly Cleary:
1. She'd write and bake simultaneously.
2. Despite her parents objections in 1940 she eloped with Clarence
Cleary, the man she loved.
3. In 1955 they had twins, Malcolm and Marianne.
4. She's an ardent cat lover.
5. There is a Beverly Cleary Sculpture Garden in Portland's Grant Park.
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| The Beverly Cleary Sculpture Garden |
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4 comments:
She sounds like a remarkable lady!
And still going at 102. Maybe bodes well for all children's authors. :)
The Ramona (and family) books were great favourites with us!
Quick update: she has now had her 103rd birthday. Go, Beverly. :)
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