Librarians track down links between state, kids' books
Among the Ohio authors and illustrators were winners of two literary medals.
COLUMBUS (AP) -- Two curious librarians researching the state's bicentennial have identified 140 Ohioans who wrote or illustrated significant children's books, including "Make Way for Ducklings," the "Goosebumps" series and several Nancy Drew mysteries.
"Once we got started, we were surprised at how many there were," said Diane Driessen, who compiled the list with Cheryl Cartwright. "And when you start putting them in geographical areas, it's really fun."
The public school librarians in the Columbus suburb of Upper Arlington got a research grant to find all children's authors with Ohio ties. They've produced a Web site and video of the results.
The Ohioans include several winners of or finalists for the annual Newbery Medal, awarded by the American Library Association for the most distinguished contribution to American children's literature, and the Caldecott Medal, which the association awards to the artist of the most distinguished picture book.
On the list
Robert McCloskey, a native of Hamilton in southwest Ohio, won two Caldecotts -- one for "Make Way for Ducklings" -- and two honor medals.
Cleveland native Sharon Creech has two Newberys, her most recent in 2001 for "The Wanderer." The late Lois Lenski, who grew up in Springfield and nearby Anna, was a three-time winner in the 1930s and '40s.
To be included, an author or illustrator must have lived at one time in Ohio and have works released by a legitimate publisher used in schools.
R.L. Stine, who grew up in the Columbus suburb of Bexley, has written hundreds of "Goosebumps" books. Mildred Benson of Toledo, who died last year, wrote 23 of the original Nancy Drew books under the pen name Carolyn Keene.
Many authors say they're grateful to Charlotte Huck, who led the children's literature department at The Ohio State University from the 1950s to 1986 and encouraged elementary schoolteachers to use children's books to immerse their pupils in reading. Huck, who now lives in California, still writes children's books.
The project's 35-minute video, "Authors, Illustrators, Literary Ohio," will premiere in January at the Ohio State University Children's Literature Conference.
In it, poet Arnold Adoff shows viewers around his home in Yellow Springs, pointing out the Newberys and other awards won by his late wife, novelist Virginia Hamilton.
"The artists were so articulate and so generous with their time," Driessen said.