Meet the Author, Eric Carle, Sharon Creech, Natalie Babbitt

Eric Carle

Eric Carle is a famous author and illustrator. He has written and illustrated over 70 books and 40 of them are in print today. His books have been translated into 45 languages. Ninety million copies of his books have been sold worldwide. The Eric Carle Museum of Children's Book Art is located in Massachusetts. His most popular book, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, had it's 40 anniversary a couple of years ago. During story time the children watched Eric Carle, via his internet site, as he shared how he was inspired to write this book and how he made the illustrations. Did you know the caterpillar started out as Willi the Worm? He then read the book, The Very Hungry Caterpillar. He has a great deal of care and respect for children and loves to help them. To enjoy these videos at your convenience go to www.ericcarle.com.

Sharon Creech

Sharon Creech grew up in a suburb of Cleveland, Ohio in a rowdy family that enjoyed taking road trips during the summer when she was a child. Many of her books are inspired by her own childhood experiences. Being a high school English teacher in Europe She has written several award winning books including Walk Two Moons which earned the Newbery Award. Ruby Holler received the Carnegie Award for Children's Literature. Ruby Holler is a story about troubled twins, Florida and Dallas, who were left on the front doorstep of an orphanage as tiny babies. The Trepids, managers of the Boxton Creek Orphanage, took them in and raised them with so many rules the children weren't allowed to even behave like children thus they would break the rules and receive severe discipline. Florida and Dallas had failure after failure in adopted homes. Sometimes they were so relieved to be returned to Boxton Creek Orphanage. An older couple named, Tiller and Sairy visit the orphanage and want to take the twins for the summer to their home in Ruby Holler and on trips as well. Florida and Dallas find Tiller and Sairy's kindness,and Ruby Holler, to be "to good to be true" because they never experienced anyone or any place as wonderful. Will Florida and Dallas finally be able to be free to play, explore, learn and grow in a caring and beautiful environment or will their lives fall apart...again? Will there be dangers and peril ahead for this kind older couple as they take care of Florida and Dallas. Will Tiller and Sairy adopt the troubled twins? Find out in this beloved book, Ruby Holler.
Also, check the window display in front of our library. Students from third through fifth grade have drawn pictures of their own "Ruby Holler", a wonderful place where they feel free to have fun, explore and be cared for as well.

Natalie Babbitt
Natalie Babbitt loved to draw and paint as a child. Her mother kept her well supplied with paints, paper and more to create her art work. She wanted to be an illustrator when she grew up. She also loved fairy tales as a child. Natalie has a gift for writing creative stories of trolls and mermaids, The Search for Delicious, fairies that are hard of hearing and cause all sorts of chaos, Elsie Times Eight, as well as Tuck Everlasting, a story of adventure and first romance perfect for tweens who are ready for more adventure in their lives. My favorite Babbitt book is Tuck Everlasting. My advice to Tuck Everlasting fans is to read the book before watching the movie. I liked the book so much more!