Happy 100th Birthday Beverly Cleary
From the desk of Diane Hutchins
What do Project VIEWS, Leave It to Beaver, Yamhill, and the University of Washington iSchool have in common?
Would you believe – Beverly Cleary!
And, would you believe – Beverly Cleary will be celebrating her 100th birthday next month! On April 12, 1916, Beverly Cleary first saw the light of day in Yamhill County, Oregon. This award-winning author of numerous children’s books is an iSchool alum and “mother” of well-known characters including Ramona Quimby and Henry Huggins. In recognition of her many contributions to the world of children’s literature, the iSchool created the Beverly Cleary Endowed Professorship, a position that was once held by Dr. Eliza T. Dresang, who led the groundbreaking research of Project VIEWS.
But – Leave It To Beaver??? Beverly Cleary was asked to write a series of Leave It To Beaver books in the early 1960s by the creators of this well-known television series. Find out what happens when Wally, the Beaver, and Eddie Haskell meet Beverly Cleary by visiting this post on the Collecting Children’s Books blog.
Want to celebrate? Check out some of the special events being held in her honor:
- Celebrate 100 Years of Beverly Cleary: Birthday Party! (Multnomah County Library);
- D.E.A.R. (Drop Everything and Read);
- Oregon Art Beat Special: Discovering Beverly Cleary;
- Walk Old Portland With Ramona Quimby.
Is your library hosting a Beverly Cleary event? Let us know in the comments.
Want to know more about Beverly Cleary? Go to the Oregon Art Beat’s web site. And be sure to join all of us in wishing Beverly Cleary the best birthday ever!