Category: Children’s Author Trivia

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Answers to Children’s Author Trivia Volume 39

Thank you to everyone who played Children’s Author Trivia last week. Now (drumroll please), the answers:

1. I bet you can get this one:  Which beloved children’s author passed away this month at the age of 92?

It’s turns out that two beloved children’s authors passed away last month,  Maurice Sendak who was 83 according to The New York Times, and Jean Craighead George, who was 92 (again, according to The New York Times).

Jean Craighead George is probably best known for her 1960 Newbery Honor book, My Side of the Mountain and her 1973 Newbery Medal book, Julie of the Wolves. Our family’s favorite is The Tarantula in My Purse: And 172 Other Wild Pets, published in 1996.

She was a prolific author, often writing about nature and animals. According to Publishers Weekly, Jean Craighead George has two new books coming out this year.  Many of her books are no longer in print, but there is a full list of titles at her official website.

2. What prolific children’s author was recently surprised when a standardized test company used an excerpt from one of his novels involving a race between a rabbit and an eggplant?

Why was he surprised? Because the test asked the students to explain the meaning of the passage and this author is all about stories that don’t make sense. In fact, he is included in a list of “The 10 Weirdest Children’s Authors of All Time.” Do you know who he may be?

I really thought this question would stump everyone, although the eggplant was a huge hint. After all, the slogan on Daniel Pinkwater s website is: “Semper admirare melongenum.” Venture on over for some podcasts and free audiobooks.

Daniel Pinkwater is also known for his e-book Bushman Lives that was published serially online, starting in September last year.

You can read all about his reaction to the standardized test question at BoingBoing and NY Daily News.

A few of Daniel Pinkwater’s many books to try:

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If you are in the mood to play more Children’s Author Trivia, simply click on the icon below for a list of previous questions (or you can click on the “Children’s Author Trivia Questions” category in the left sidebar).

Enjoy!

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Children’s Author Trivia Volume 39

Alas, my poor blog has been languishing lately. Let’s pick up the pace again this morning with some brand new children’s author trivia.

1. I bet you can get this one:  Which beloved children’s author passed away this month at the age of 92?

2. What prolific children’s author was recently surprised when a standardized test company used an excerpt from one of his novels involving a race between a rabbit and an eggplant?

Why was he surprised? Because the test asked the students to explain the meaning of the passage and this author is all about stories that don’t make sense. In fact, he is included in a list of “The 10 Weirdest Children’s Authors of All Time.” Do you know who he may be?

Be sure to leave a comment if you have an idea.

Edit:  The answers are now posted.

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If you are in the mood to play more Children’s Author Trivia, simply click on the icon below for a list of previous questions (or you can click on the “Children’s Author Trivia Questions” category in the left sidebar).

Enjoy!

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Children’s Author Trivia Volume 38 Answers

Today let’s celebrate poets who write for children.

1. Do you know who was named the Children’s Poet Laureate by the Poetry Foundation in May, 2011?
In May, J. Patrick Lewis was named the new Children’s Poetry Laureate by the Poetry Foundation.

This Economics professor turned children’s poet has written over seventy children’s book since his first was published in 1990, and has done over 450 author visits to schools! That is truly amazing.

A sampling of his books:

2. The website byline of our second poet reads: “Writer, Poet, Tadpole Rancher.” This poet takes along a paper mache frog named Studebaker when visiting schools. Do you know who this frog-obsessed poet is?

Kristine O’Connell George has an explanation of “tadpole ranching“at her website. It is part of the information and activities to go with her book The Great Frog Race. You can see a photograph of Studebaker the frog from on Kristine O’Connell George’s biography page. While you are visiting, be sure to listen to some of her poetry read aloud.

My review of her book Fold Me A Poem

Some of her other books:

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Children’s Author Trivia Volume 38

I’m in the mood for poetry today.

1. Do you know who was named the Children’s Poet Laureate by the Poetry Foundation in May, 2011?

2. The website byline of our second poet reads: “Writer, Poet, Tadpole Rancher.” This poet takes along a paper mache frog named Studebaker when visiting schools. Do you know who this frog-obsessed poet is?

Please leave a comment if you have an idea.

Edit:  The answers are now posted.

The answers are now posted.