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Beverly Cleary Still a Classic at 95

July 8th, 2011 No comments

Author Beverly Cleary has created beloved characters like Ramona Quimby.

Ever since Beverly Cleary published her first book, Henry Huggins in 1950, her work has become an integral part of childhood for generations of kids. More than a half a century and 91 million copies later, she has created a beloved cast of characters, including Ramona Quimby and big sister Beezus, that still capture the imagination of youngsters today. Benjamin Schwarz, the literary editor for The Altantic, recently interviewed the 95 year-old author and asked about how she balanced her budding writing career with the demands of her family as a young mother, and why her characters still appeal to 21st century children.

On starting out as a young writer and mother, she states plainly: “It wasn’t easy. I loved my family and I loved my young career. A neighborhood woman felt that I needed help and offered to come babysit the children. I would write while she looked after them. They would draw pictures and slide them under my door. It worked out nicely.” Read more…

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