Beverly Cleary wrote some of the most beloved children's books including the "Ramona" series and "Dear Mr. Henshaw." We learn a little bit about her life and career in this short biography.
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[Narrator] Beverly Cleary lived a storybook life, creating characters beloved by millions of children and adults around the globe.
- Michelle's work that I enjoy and I get to do at home. And I didn't have to catch a bus.
[Narrator] In the span of six decades. Cleary authored more than 40 books selling over 91 million copies in 14 different languages. Her first children's book, "Henry Huggins" was published in 1950. Inspired by a boy she met working as a librarian in Yakima, Washington.
[Child] "Henry Huggins was in the third grade, his hair looked like a scrubbing brush and most of his grownup front teeth were in."
[Narrator] Her stories captured the lives of middle-class everyday boys and girls. Her character is so real, they felt like friends. Her humor so irresistible, one had a laugh out loud. Five years after the release of "Henry Huggins" readers fell in love with "Sassy Ramona Quimby."
[Child] "If she played with her finger paints in the front yard, she wiped her hands on the neighbors' cat."
- I was so annoyed with the books in my childhood because children always learn to be better children, and in my experience they didn't, they just grew. And so I started "Ramona" and she has never reformed.
[Narrator] The "Ramona" series along with most of Cleary's books are set in grant park, the Portland, Oregon neighborhood where she grew up. Over the years, the famous Klickitat Street became something of a pilgrimage site. Cleary's award-winning stories pioneered the use of emotional realism and kids' literature. Capturing childhood's emotional struggles and realizations.
- Emotions of children, don't change their life, situations change.
[Narrator] Cleary has received countless accolades for her work including the prestigious Newbery Medal. In 2000, the Library of Congress named her a living legend. And three years later, President George W. Bush awarded her The National Medal of Arts. Her birthday, April 12th has been designated Drop Everything and Read Day. In her memoir " My Own Two Feet", Cleary recalls life during the Great Depression. Eloping with her husband, working as an army librarian during World War II, and becoming a writer. She also reveals the inspiration behind a lifetime of beloved prose.
[Woman] And as I wrote "Mother's Words" came back to me, make it funny. People always like to read something funny and keep it simple. The best writing is simple writing.
- Funny simple writing that will be cherished for generations to come.