Ellen Raskin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ellen Raskin
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| Born | March 13, 1928 Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S. |
| Died | August 8, 1984 (aged 56) New York City, New York |
| Occupation | Writer, illustrator |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | University of Wisconsin–Madison |
| Genre | Children's novels, picture books |
| Notable works | |
| Notable awards | Newbery Medal 1979 The Westing Game |
| Spouse | Dennis Flanagan (m. 1965, second husband) |
Ellen Raskin (born March 13, 1928 – died August 8, 1984) was a talented American writer and illustrator. She is best known for her exciting mystery novels for young readers.
In 1979, she won the prestigious Newbery Medal for her book The Westing Game. Another one of her mystery novels, Figgs & Phantoms, was recognized as a Newbery Honor Book in 1975. The Westing Game was even ranked among the top children's novels of all time in a 2012 survey by School Library Journal.
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About Ellen Raskin
Ellen Raskin was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She grew up during the Great Depression, a time when many people faced tough economic challenges. She attended the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where she studied fine art.
After college, Ellen Raskin moved to New York City. She worked as a commercial artist for about 15 years. During this time, she designed more than 1,000 book covers! One of her most famous designs was for the first edition of Madeleine L'Engle's classic book, A Wrinkle in Time. This book also won the Newbery Medal in 1963.
In 1960, she married Dennis Flanagan, who was the editor of Scientific American magazine. Ellen Raskin passed away in New York City in 1984, at the age of 56.
Ellen Raskin's Books
Ellen Raskin was both a writer and an artist. She created many wonderful books for children, both writing the stories and drawing the pictures.
Picture Books
Ellen Raskin wrote and illustrated twelve picture books. These books are usually for younger children, combining words and pictures to tell a story.
- Nothing Ever Happens on My Block, 1967
- Silly Songs and Sad, 1967
- Spectacles, 1968
- Ghost in a Four-Room Apartment, 1969
- And It Rained, 1969
- A & The, or, William T. C. Baumgarten Comes to Town, 1970
- The World's Greatest Freak Show, 1971
- Franklin Stein, 1972
- Moe Q. McGlutch, He Smoked Too Much, 1973
- Who, Said Sue, Said Whoo?, 1973
- Moose, Goose & Little Nobody, 1976
- Twenty-Two, Twenty-Three, 1976
Children's Novels
Ellen Raskin wrote four popular novels for children. These longer stories are known for their mysteries and clever plots.
- The Mysterious Disappearance of Leon (I Mean Noel), 1971
- Figgs & Phantoms, 1974
- The Tattooed Potato and Other Clues, 1975
- The Westing Game, 1978
Illustrations for Other Authors
Besides writing her own books, Ellen Raskin also illustrated more than twenty books by other writers. This means she drew the pictures for their stories. Some of the books she illustrated include:
- A Child's Christmas in Wales by Dylan Thomas, 1968
- Mama, I Wish I Was Snow, Child You'd Be Very Cold by Ruth Krauss, 1962
- Elidor by Alan Garner, 1970
- Goblin Market by Christina Rossetti, 1970
She also illustrated several mathematics books for children, helping to make learning about numbers fun and visual.
