Beverly Cleary is a name we all remember from our childhood.
Whether you read Ramona Quimby Age 8 on its original publication date in 1981, or you fell in love with Henry Huggins in the early 2000’s, there’s a certain amount of nostalgia that Cleary’s work gives us.
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I remember exactly where I was when I picked up my first Beverly Cleary book, and I’ll bet you do too.
Cleary’s realistic characters stay with us long after we’re done reading.
Like a lot of other young kids, I saw myself in Ramona Quimby .
“Books in those days, back in the 1920s, had been published in England, and the children had nannies and pony carts” she explained to TODAY “and they seemed like a bunch of sissies to me.”
She’s been honest that she didn’t even expect to live this long.
“I remember a very earnest conversation my best friend and I had when we were, I guess, freshmen in high school, about how long we wanted to live,” Cleary writes, “And we decided that 80 was the cut-off date.”
Throughout the years, she’s inspired generations of young writers.
Judy Bloom, another beloved children’s author, says that Cleary’s books heavily influenced her own writing.
“Beverly… you were my inspiration when I started to write all those years ago, and you remain my inspiration today.”
She doesn’t really care about her awards or critical reviews.
Cleary’s most focused on the impact that her writing has had on young people.
“I’m proudest of the fact that children love my books.” she shares matter-of-factually.
With over 40 published books under her belt, she’s truly shaped the world of children’s literature.
Though she didn’t stay alive for 103 years on purpose , we’re certainly glad that she did.
Thank you Beverly Cleary, and Happy Birthday!
