


It was a path that would lead to great success with more than 91 million copies of her books sold in 29 languages. These are books about funny stories that resemble her neighbourhood and the children she knew. While she didn’t immediately become an author once becoming an adult, this direction did set her on the path to write the books she wished she could find on library shelves as a child. It was at this young age that her school librarian suggested she should become a children’s author when she grew up. It wasn’t until the third grade that she found herself excelling in reading and surrounded by books once more. However, when her family moved to Portland, Cleary was put into the school’s low reading circle. While she died in 2021 at the age of 104, her legacy is one that will live on for generations to come.Ĭleary grew up on a farm in Yamhill, a town with no library, but her mother arranged to have books sent from the State Library and acted as the town’s librarian. She wrote what she wanted to read a child and subsequently paved the way for all future children’s books about rambunctious, meddlesome kids just being kids. Who is Beverly Cleary?īeverly Cleary’s influence on children’s literature is undeniable. The characters in her books make mistakes and blunders, but learn lessons along the way, so keep reading to find out more about the Beverly Cleary books in order. From Ramona Quimby to Henry Huggins, she wrote about children that were unruly, mischievous, but always well-meaning. Her characters, including Beezus and Ramona Quimby, Henry Huggins, and Ralph, the motorcycle-riding mouse, have delighted children for generations.Beverly Cleary is a legend for her contribution to children’s literature. Henshaw won the Newbery Medal, and Ramona Quimby, Age 8 and Ramona and Her Father have been named Newbery Honor Books. Cleary's books have earned her many prestigious awards, including the American Library Association's Laura Ingalls Wilder Award, presented to her in recognition of her lasting contribution to children's literature. And so, the Klickitat Street gang was born! She based her funny stories on her own neighborhood experiences and the sort of children she knew. When a young boy asked her, "Where are the books about kids like us?" she remembered her teacher's encouragement and was inspired to write the books she'd longed to read but couldn't find when she was younger.

Before long, her school librarian was saying that she should write children's books when she grew up. But by third grade, after spending much time in her public library in Portland, Oregon, she found her skills had greatly improved. As a child, she struggled with reading and writing.

Beverly Cleary is one of America's most beloved authors.
