Demi (author) facts for kids

Demi, whose real name is Charlotte Dumaresq Hunt, is a well-known author and illustrator of children's books. She was born on September 2, 1942. Throughout her career, Demi has created more than 300 books for young readers.

About Demi

Her Early Life and Studies

Demi was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in the United States. She comes from a family of artists and architects. Her great-grandfather was a famous American painter named William Morris Hunt. Her great-grand uncle was a well-known architect, Richard Morris Hunt. Demi got her special nickname when she was little. Her father started calling her 'Demi' because she was about half the size of her older sister.

She loved art and studied it in different places. She went to the 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.

Her Work as an Author and Illustrator

Demi is famous for writing and illustrating biographies. These books tell the life stories of important spiritual figures. Some of the people she has written about include Mahavira, Buddha, Krishna, Lao Tzu, Jesus, Mary (mother of Jesus), Muhammad, Rumi, Francis of Assisi, Gandhi, and the Dalai Lama.

Awards and Special Recognition

Many of Demi's books have won important awards. Her book The Empty Pot was chosen by former First Lady Barbara Bush in 1990. It was read on a radio program called Mrs. Bush's Story Time. In 2007, teachers voted The Empty Pot as one of their "Teachers' Top 100 Books for Children."

Her book Gandhi received the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award. Muhammad was named a New York Times Best Illustrated Book. Another book, Master of Zen: Extraordinary Teachings from Hui Neng’s Altar Sutra, won a USA Best Book Award in 2012. Demi illustrated this book, and her husband, Tze-si Huang, translated and adapted it.

One Grain Of Rice: A Mathematical Folktale was recognized for its connection to math. It was given Mathical Hall of Fame status. Demi's books have received more than 20 awards in total. You can find a full list on her 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.