Demi (author) facts for kids
Demi, whose real name is Charlotte Dumaresq Hunt, was born on September 2, 1942. She is a talented author and artist who creates books for children. Demi has written and illustrated more than 300 books during her career.
Contents
About Demi
Demi's Early Life and Schooling
Demi was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts. She comes from a family of artists. Her great-grandfather was the American painter William Morris Hunt. Her great-grand uncle was the famous architect Richard Morris Hunt. Demi got her nickname when she was very young. Her father started calling her "demi" because she was smaller than her older sister.
Demi studied art in different places. She went to Instituto Allende in Mexico. She also learned from Sister Corita at Immaculate Heart College in Los Angeles. Later, she received a special scholarship called a Fulbright Scholarship. This allowed her to study in India at the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda.
Demi's Career as an Author
Demi is well-known for writing biographies about important spiritual leaders. These books tell the life stories of figures like Mahavira, Buddha, Krishna, Lao Tzu, Jesus, Mary (mother of Jesus), Muhammad, Rumi, Francis of Assisi, Gandhi, and the Dalai Lama. Her books help young readers learn about different cultures and beliefs.
Awards and Special Recognitions
Many of Demi's books have won awards and honors.
- Her book The Empty Pot was chosen by former First Lady Barbara Bush. In 1990, it was read on a radio show called Mrs. Bush's Story Time.
- The Empty Pot was also listed as one of the "Teachers' Top 100 Books for Children." This was based on a poll by the National Education Association.
- Her book Gandhi received the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award.
- Muhammad was named a New York Times Best Illustrated Book.
- Master of Zen: Extraordinary Teachings from Hui Neng’s Altar Sutra won a 2012 USA Best Book Award. Demi illustrated this book, and her husband Tze-si Huang translated it.
- One Grain Of Rice: A Mathematical Folktale was added to the Mathical Hall of Fame.
Demi has received more than 20 awards for her books published by Wisdom Tales Press. You can find a full list on her author page at the publisher’s website.
In 1990, Demi and her husband, Tze-si “Jesse” Huang, represented the United States. They attended the First Children’s International Book Conference in Beijing, China.
