Posted
on July 11, 2013
This
is the guy who wrote Charlotte's
Web
and Stuart
Little.
This
is also the guy who created a famous, often-used grammar book!
Today's
birthday honoree is named Elwyn Brooks White, but all his books give
his name as E. B. White. His grammar book is The
Elements of Style,
but most people call it “Strunk and White” (he was a co-author
with some fellow named William Strunk). I never knew it was the same
“White” as the beloved children's author until today!
Apparently
White really didn't like fame and publicity. He was a quiet man, and
James Thurber said that White avoided interviewers and reporters by
going out the fire escape of the building where he worked. I am
wondering why nobody ever thought to stake out that fire escape!
White didn't do readings from his books, he didn't attend literary
teas, and he was so successful at avoiding publicity, he wasn't
recognized by his many admirers.
Although
Charlotte's
Web
has been named the favorite children's book of all time on several
lists, and Stuart
Little
remains one of kids' and librarians' favorites as well, I haven't
heard much about White's third children's book, The
Trumpet of the Swan.
It has won some awards—so today would be a great day to check it
out!!
Also
on this date:
Guldensporenslag (Flemish National Day)
Plan ahead:
Check
out my Pinterest pages on July
holidays, historical
anniversaries in July,
and July
birthdays.
And
here are my Pinterest pages on August
holidays, historical
anniversaries in August,
and August
birthdays.
No comments:
Post a Comment