Elaine Macmann Willoughby facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Elaine Macmann Willoughby
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| Born | March 22, 1926 Lexington, Massachusetts, United States |
| Died | November 12, 2012 (aged 86) Portsmouth, New Hampshire |
| Resting place | New Castle, New Hampshire |
| Occupation | Teacher, writer |
| Nationality | American |
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| Alma mater | Wheelock College Columbia University |
| Genre | Children's books |
| Spouse | Robert Hugh Willoughby |
Elaine Macmann Willoughby (born March 22, 1926 – died November 12, 2012) was an American teacher and author. She was best known for writing many popular children's books.
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About Elaine Macmann Willoughby
Elaine Maybelle Macmann, also known as "Mac," was born in Lexington, Massachusetts. She was the only child of Walter and Mabel Macmann.
Her Education Journey
Elaine loved learning and went to several colleges. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Wheelock College in 1949. She also studied at the University of Rhode Island and the Breadloaf School of English. Later, she earned her Master's and PhD degrees in Education from Teachers College, Columbia University.
Teaching Career
Elaine started her career teaching first graders. She taught in Norwood, Massachusetts, Arlington, Virginia, and Wilmington, Delaware. While studying for her advanced degrees, she also taught at the Agnes Russel Center.
After finishing her PhD, she became a college professor. She taught subjects like Language Arts, Children's Literature, and Child Development. She taught at several universities, including Bowling Green State University, Kent State University, and the University of New Hampshire.
Family Life and Home
In 1957, Elaine married Robert Hugh Willoughby, a flutist. They moved to Oberlin, Ohio, where her husband taught at Oberlin College. In 1960, their son, John, was born in Cincinnati.
In 1987, they moved to New Castle, New Hampshire. This town later became the setting for some of her books.
Giving Back to the Community
Elaine was very supportive of different charities. She helped both the schools she attended and local organizations. For example, she wrote "The Story of Strawberry Banke" in 1981. This book helped raise money and awareness for the Strawberry Banke Museum. All the money from the book sales went to the museum.
Elaine Willoughby passed away on November 12, 2012, in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. She is buried in New Castle, New Hampshire.
Elaine's Writing Career
Elaine Macmann Willoughby's children's books were very popular. They received good reviews from many people.
For instance, her 1980 book, Boris and the Monsters, was featured in a USA Today article. It was listed as a favorite book for bedtime reading. Another book, Risky Business, was on a Chicago Tribune list of the best books of 1956.
Two of her books were chosen by Weekly Reader for their Children's Book Club. These were Mystery of the Island Fires and Mystery of the Lobster Thieves. This shows how much children enjoyed her stories.
