BEFORE THEY WERE AUTHORS: Famous Writers as Kids written and illustrated by Elizabeth Haidle is a well-researched and designed book about 10 prominent authors known to middle grade readers and adults alike including Mark Twain, C.S. Lewis, Dr. Seuss, Roald Dahl, Maya Angelou, Sandra Cisneros, Gene Luen Yang and J.K.Rowling.
Five pages per writer are devoted to telling how each author developed a love for stories during childhood. Dr. Seuss was encouraged by his childhood experiences around zoo animals in Springfield, Massachusetts where his father was the Commissioner of Parks. He loved drawing them in his very own exaggerated and lively style even though others thought his pictures were too silly. His first book, And to Think I Saw it on Mulberry Street, where Theodor Seuss Geisel aka Dr. Seuss actually lived as a boy, was rejected 25 times before he found a publisher. The five-page biography also tells how he became the most successful writer of books for early readers starting with The Cat in the Hat.
The story of how Maya Angelou, a very shy child who actually lost her ability to speak for five years, eventually became a forceful and poetic voice is astonishing. Her love of words was encouraged by a neighbor, Mrs. Bertha Flowers, who introduced her to books and became her childhood mentor.
There is an elegant portrait of each author created by Elizabeth Haidle on the first page of each biographical sketch. In fact, her illustrations throughout, done in a graphic style, are colorful, clear, clever and a treat for the eye.
BEFORE THEY WERE AUTHORS: Famous Writers as Kids written and illustrated by Elizabeth Haidle is perfect for readers 10-13 years of age (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2019).
Questions/activities for BEFORE THEY WERE AUTHORS: Famous Writers as Kids
Most of the writers featured in this book had a special place in which they could be alone to read, write in secret diaries and create stories such as bedrooms, attics, libraries or gardens. Do you have a special place to read, daydream and let your imagination soar? Describe it.
Think about the following quotations from these featured writers and select one to illustrate using whatever medium you like. Have fun!
“Less Work, More Fun!” (Dr. Seuss)
“When you learn, teach. When you get, give.” (Maya Angelou)
“I have just made stories to please myself because I never grew up.” (Beatrix Potter)
“The difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between the Lightning Bug and the Lightning.” (Mark Twain)
Which writers were influenced by one of these childhood situations: the love of chocolate, the love of zoo animals, extreme shyness, a passion for pet rabbits, an interest in super heroes or daydreaming on a train? Have you read any books by these authors? If not, go ahead and try it.
