Erik Christian Haugaard facts for kids

Erik Christian Haugaard (born April 13, 1923 – died June 4, 2009) was a talented writer. He was born in Denmark but became an American citizen. He is most famous for his exciting children's books and for translating the classic fairy tales of Hans Christian Andersen.

A Life of Adventure

Erik Christian Haugaard was born in Frederiksberg, Denmark. His parents were Gottfred and Karen Haugaard. When he was 17, in 1940, he had to leave Denmark. This was because of the Nazi invasion during World War II. He moved to the United States.

After arriving in America, Erik joined the Royal Canadian Air Force. He served there until the war ended. He also studied at Black Mountain College in North Carolina from 1941 to 1942. Later, he attended the New School for Social Research in New York City.

Becoming a Writer

In 1963, Erik published his very first book for young readers. It was called Hakon of Rogen's Saga. People loved the book! It was even named an American Library Association Notable Book. This means it was recognized as an important and excellent book.

Erik also won awards for his amazing translation work. In 1978, he translated The Complete Fairy Tales and Stories of Hans Christian Andersen. His translation helped many English-speaking readers enjoy these classic tales.

Erik married Myrna Seld in 1949. They had two children together. Later in their lives, they lived in both Denmark and Ireland. Erik Christian Haugaard passed away in Ballydehob, County Cork, Ireland.

Awards and Recognition

Erik Christian Haugaard received several important awards for his writing:

• The first ever Boston Globe–Horn Book Award in 1967. This award recognized his book The Little Fishes as the best children's fiction of the year.
• The Phoenix Award from the Children's Literature Association in 1988. This award celebrates a children's book published 20 years earlier that didn't win a major award at the time. His book The Rider and his Horse received this honor.
• The New York Herald Tribune Children's Spring Book Festival Award in 1962 and 1967.
• The Jane Addams Award in 1968.
• The Culture Minister of Denmark Prize in 1970.
• The John Golden Fund for his play, The Heroes, in 1958.
• The American Library Association Notable Book Award for A Slave's Tale in 1965.

Popular Books

Here are some of Erik Christian Haugaard's well-known books:

• Hakon of Rogen's Saga (1963)
• A Slave's Tale (1965) – A historical novel about Vikings and the spread of Christianity.
• The Little Fishes (1967)
• The Rider and His Horse (1968)
• Chase Me, Catch Nobody! (1980)
• Leif the Unlucky (1982)
• Boy's Will (1983)
• The Samurai's Tale (1984)
• Cromwells Boy (1990)
• Boy and the Samurai (1991)
• The Death of Mr. Angel (1992)
• The Revenge of the Forty-Seven Samurai (1995)