Carol Kendall facts for kids

Carol Seeger "Siggy" Kendall (September 13, 1917 – July 28, 2012) was an American writer. She is famous for her wonderful children's books. She won many important awards for her writing. These include the Newbery Honor, the Ohioana award, and the Parents Choice award. She also received the Mythopoeic Society Aslan award.

About Carol Kendall

Carol Kendall was born in Bucyrus, Ohio. She later went to Ohio University. At first, she wrote books for adults. Some of these were "The Black Seven" (1946) and "The Baby Snatcher" (1952).

Her travels around the world gave her ideas for many folk tale stories. She even found old folk tales from other countries. Then, she translated them into English for children to enjoy. Even though she loved to travel, she always enjoyed coming back home.

Family Life

Carol Kendall married Paul Murray Kendall. He was an English professor and a historian. He passed away in November 1973. Carol Kendall died almost 40 years later, on July 28, 2012. She passed away in Lawrence, Kansas. She had two daughters and three grandchildren.

Becoming a Writer

Carol Kendall once shared how she became a writer. She said people would ask her why she chose to write. Her answer was always, "Six older brothers."

She explained that her six brothers talked a lot. When she was born, they were already very good at talking. This meant there wasn't much chance for her to speak. So, she grew up mostly listening. She joked that she was almost completely quiet as a child.

Finding Her Voice

School changed everything for Carol. She loved school very much. Her teachers talked to her about reading and writing. She felt these words were more important than any conversations she missed. Finally, her own voice could be heard!

Before her first year of school ended, she started writing a "diary-book." She used her new writing skills. The first line was "I saw my first robin today." This was also the last line. She had simply run out of words she knew how to write. Her other thoughts had to wait.

Even as an adult, she found it hard to join conversations with many people. But she didn't mind. She knew she could put her ideas into her computer. Then, she could share them when the time was right.

Carol Kendall's Books

Carol Kendall is best known for her fantasy books for children. Her book The Gammage Cup was a very popular story. It received the Newbery Honor award. It also won the Ohioana award.

Another one of her famous books is The Firelings. This book won the Parents Choice award. It also received the Mythopoeic Society Aslan award.

List of Books

Here are some of the books Carol Kendall wrote:

• The Adventures of Curley Green (1946)
• The Black Seven (1946)
• The Baby-Snatcher (1952)
• The Other Side of the Tunnel (1957)
• The Gammage Cup (1959)
• The Big Splash (1960)
• The Whisper of Glocken (1965)
• Sweet and Sour: Tales from China (1978)
• The Firelings (1981)
• Haunting Tales from Japan (1985)
• The Wedding of the Rat Family (1988)