Bill Wallace (author) facts for kids

William Wallace (born August 1, 1947 – died January 30, 2012) was an American teacher who became a beloved author of children's books. He started writing stories to help his fourth-grade students focus. His students loved these tales so much that they encouraged him to turn them into "real" books. This encouragement led him to a wonderful career creating many popular stories for young readers.

About William Wallace

His Early Life and Teaching Career

William Wallace grew up in Chickasha, Oklahoma. He went to college to study writing. Later, he earned degrees in elementary education. This prepared him to become a teacher. He began teaching in 1971. By 1977, he became the principal and P.E. teacher at West Elementary in Chickasha. Today, that school is proudly named The Bill Wallace Early Education Center. This shows how much he was respected in his community.

Becoming a Children's Author

In 1988, Mr. Wallace decided to focus on writing full-time. He wrote many exciting books for kids. In total, he published 31 books. Seven of these books were co-written with his wife, Carol. His stories often featured animals and adventures. They captured the imaginations of young readers everywhere. William Wallace passed away on January 30, 2012. He is laid to rest in Rose Hill Cemetery in Chickasha, Oklahoma. His legacy lives on through his wonderful books.

William Wallace's Books

Popular Stories for Young Readers

William Wallace wrote many beloved books for children. Here are some of his popular titles:

• A Dog Called Kitty (1980)
• Trapped in Death Cave (1984)
• Shadow on the Snow (1985) (later called Danger on Panther Peak)
• Ferret in the Bedroom, Lizards in the Fridge (1986)
• Red Dog (1987)
• Beauty (1988)
• Danger in Quicksand Swamp (1989)
• Snot Stew (1989)
• The Christmas Spurs (1990)
• Totally Disgusting (1991)
• The Biggest Klutz in the Fifth Grade (1992)
• Buffalo Gal (1992)
• Never Say Quit (1993)
• Blackwater Swamp (1994)
• True Friends (1994)
• Watchdog and the Coyotes (1995)
• Journey into Terror (1996)
• The Final Freedom (1997)
• Aloha Summer (1997)
• The Backward Bird Dog (1997)
• Upchuck and the Rotten Willy (1998)
• Upchuck and the Rotten Willy: The Great Escape (1998)
• The Flying Flea, Callie, and Me (1999)
• Eye of the Great Bear (1999)
• That Furball Puppy and Me (1999)
• Upchuck and the Rotten Willy: Running Wild (2000)
• Coyote Autumn (2000)
• Chomps, Flea, and Gray Cat (That's Me!) (2001)
• Goosed! (2002)
• Bub Moose (2002)
• Bub, Snow, and the Burly Bear Scare (2002)
• Skinny-Dipping at Monster Lake (2003)
• The Meanest Hound Around (2003)
• No Dogs Allowed! (2004)
• The Pick of the Litter (2005)
• The Legend of Thunderfoot (2006)
• The Dog Who Thought He Was Santa (2009)

Awards and Recognition

Celebrating His Work

William Wallace's books were very popular and won many awards. These awards show how much readers and critics loved his stories.

• 1983 Oklahoma Sequoyah Children's Book Award (for A Dog Called Kitty)
• 1983 Texas Bluebonnet Award (for A Dog Called Kitty)
• 1985 Nebraska Golden Sower Award (for A Dog Called Kitty)
• 1989 Utah Children's Book Award (for Trapped in Death Cave)
• 1989 Nebraska Golden Sower Award (for Ferret in the Bedroom, Lizards in the Fridge)
• 1989 South Carolina Children's Book Award (for Ferret in the Bedroom, Lizards in the Fridge)
• 1990 Florida Sunshine State Children's Book Award (grades 6–8) (for Trapped in Death Cave)
• 1991 Texas Bluebonnet Award (for Danger on Panther Peak)
• 1991 Oklahoma Sequoyah Children's Book Award (for Beauty)
• 1991 Kansas William Allen White Award (for Beauty)
• 1991 Wyoming Soaring Eagle Award (for Trapped in Death Cave)
• 1992 Texas Bluebonnet Award (for Snot Stew)
• 1992 Pacific Northwest Territory Award (for Danger in Quicksand Swamp)
• 1992 South Carolina Children's Book Award (for Snot Stew)
• 1994 Maryland Children's Book Award Intermediate Level (for Danger in Quicksand Swamp)
• 1995 Connecticut Nutmeg Children's Choice Award (for Biggest Klutz in Fifth Grade)
• 1995 Arizona Children's Choice Book Award (for Totally Disgusting)
• 1996 Florida Sunshine State Children's Award (for Blackwater Swamp)
• 1997 Utah Children's Book Award (for Watchdog and the Coyotes)
• 1997 Wyoming Indian Paintbrush Book Award (for Watchdog and the Coyotes)
• 2000 Arrell M. Gibson Lifetime Achievement Award - Oklahoma Center for the Book
• 2004 Maryland Children's Book Award Intermediate Level (for Goosed!)
• 2006 Wyoming Indian Paintbrush Book Award (for No Dogs Allowed!)