Spotlight Author: Eric Carle

Though he was born in Syracuse, New York, in 1929, Eric Carle did most of his growing up in Germany, where he moved with his parents at the age of six. While there he was educated at Akademie der bildenden Künste, in Stuttgart, a prestigious art school.

He returned to America in 1952 where he found a job as a graphic designer for The New York Times. One particular advertisement designed by Mr. Carle caught the eye of author/educator, Bill Martin Jr., and he contacted him to see if he would be interested in illustrating one of his books. What was born of this collaboration was the great classic Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do you See?, and the real beginning of Eric Carle's career! (Together Mr. Carle and Mr. Martin also produced Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear?, Panda Bear, Panda Bear, What Do You See?, and Baby Bear, Baby Bear, What Do You See?)

Spotlight Author: Jane Yolen

Born on February, 11, 1939 in New York City, Jane Yolen is the author of over 300 books, including children’s books, fantasy, science fiction, picture books, novels...if you can name it, she's probably written it. Some of her most popular children's work includes Own Moon and the How Do Dinosaurs series. (A favorite in our home!) She sold her first book, Pirates in Petticoats, on her 22nd birthday and hasn't stopped since!

She is also the winner of a multitude of awards including the Caldecott Medal, two Nebula Awards, two Christopher Medals, the World Fantasy Award, three Mythopoeic Fantasy Awards, the Golden Kite Award, the Jewish Book Award, the World Fantasy Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Association of Jewish Libraries Award among many others.

Whooo's Who Friday

If you are looking for some great new blogs and some great new readers, check there is no better place than a Friday Blog Hop! 

The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn

While I know I am a little late because of some personal issues that have been happening outside of Bloggerworld, I very much wanted to do this book in honor of the start of the school year! I have been in love with The Kissing Hand ever since I first learned of it while taking a children's literature class in college, and I think it is a book that every parent and teacher should know about!

What Do You See/Hear? Book

 One of the things I love about the What Do You See/Hear? books by Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle (the series includes Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?, Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear?, Panda Bear, Panda Bear, What Do You See? and Baby Bear, Baby Bear, What Do You See?) is how easy it is to come up with projects and ideas to extend each book into your every day life or classroom!