1. Patricia Polacco An Author Study Laura Bissey Final Exam LLLS5533: Selecting Literature and Materials for Children, Fall 2009

2. Life: The Early YearsBorn: July 11, 1944 Lansing, MichiganParents: William and Mary Ellen Barber (Dad was Irish, Mom was Russian/Ukranian) Age 3 – Parents divorced. Lived with mom and brother Richard on Union City, MI grandparents’ farm. Grandmother was known as Babushka. Age 5-Babushka passed away. Moved to Coral Gables,FL then Oakland, CA.

3. Early Years Continued Living on the farm “was the most magical time of my life”. Polacco listened to her grandparents tell stories by the fire and received her story telling inspiration from her family, especially her Babushka and other grandparents. Age 14-Diagonosed with dyslexia. Loved to rock in rocking chairs to feel better.

4. Adult – Present Day Married 1962. Had children Traci and Steven Divorced, remarried 1979 to Enzo Mario Polacco, a chef and cooking instructor Started writing children’s books at age 41. 1987, Sold her first book, Meteor! Today- Lives in Union City, MI On Meteor Ridge Farm Hobbies/Interests: Travel, running, cats, painting, sculpture, egg art.

5. Education Ohio State University California College of Arts and Crafts Morash University (Melbourne, Australia) Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (received PhD. in Art History) Also studied in England, France, and Russia For a while she restored ancient art for Museums.

6. Author At Work First makes a dummy or blueprint of her book. Then sends it to Art Director for changes. Drawings are 25% larger than final presentation. Traces then colors in using acrylic paint, No. 2,6B pencils, and oil pastels. Sometimes pastes actual photos of people in story. (photos from www.patriciapolacco.com)

7. Author's Works Relates to Life In Thank You, Mr. Falker, Patricia, or “Trisha”, is a girl who does not know how to read. She is teased by her classmates and feels dumb. She loves to draw. Finally her fifth-grade teacher realizes she has dyslexia and teaches her how to read.

8. Author Work Continued In My Rotten Redheaded Older Brother, Polacco writes about her brother Richard. She tries to find something that she can do better than he can. When she falls from a merry-go- round, he is the one to get the doctor for her.

9. Author's Work Continued Betty Doll is a story about a letter written by Polacco’smother to her telling her about a rag doll made by her mother. The doll is a comfort to children and grandchildren in future years. Mary Ellen, Polacco’s mother believes it saved her life when she was in a snow storm.

10. Author's Work Continued Something About Hensley’s is about Polacco’s favorite store and its owner John Sacrant. In this story, Mr. Sacrant has the answer for everyone’s needs at his store. He helps Molly, Kate, and their mother get back on their feet again and helps save Molly from an asthma attack.

11. Other Works Other Books That Are From Polacco’s Life.

12. Author's Website http://www.patriciapolacco.com/author/bioandawards/bioawards.html

13. References PATRICIA POLACCO .COM. (n.d.). PATRICIA POLACCO .COM. Retrieved December 7, 2009, from http://www.patriciapolacco.com/author/start/early.html PATRICIA POLACCO PAGE. (n.d.). SC&I, Rutgers University - Home. Retrieved December 7, 2009, from http://comminfo.rutgers.edu/professional-development/childlit/Feminist/polacco.html Polacco, P. (1998). The Keeping Quilt [KEEPING QUILT ANNIV/E]. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster. Polacco, P. (1995). Babushka's Doll. New York: Aladdin. Polacco, P. (1994). Firetalking (Meet the Author). Katonah, NY: R.C. Owen. Polacco, P. (1996). Meteor!. New York: Putnam Juvenile. Polacco, P. (1994). My Rotten Redheaded Older Brother. Danbury, Connecticut: Scholastics Inc.. Polacco, P. (2006). Something About Hensley's. New York: Penguin Group USA. Polacco, P. (2002). When Lightning Comes in a Jar. New York: Penguin Group USA. Titlewave: Home. (n.d.). TITLEWAVE | Follett Library Resources. Retrieved December 7, 2009, from http://www.titlewave.com/main?SID=6fcbdfe7ec97e6fe7e791dcedc0ca449 (2004). Betty Doll. New York City: Puffin. (2007). Something About the Author Volume 180: Facts and Pictures About Authors and Illustrators of Books for Young People (Something About the Author). New York: Gale Cengage. (2001). Thank You, Mr. Falker. New York: Philomel.