John Cassidy (author) facts for kids
John Cassidy is a super creative person who helped start a company called Klutz Press. He's written over 200 fun and helpful books for kids and families! Some of his most famous books include Juggling for the Complete Klutz and The Klutz Book of Inventions.
Contents
Who is John Cassidy?
John Cassidy is known for making learning fun. He co-founded Klutz Press, a company famous for its unique books that often come with tools or craft supplies. These books teach you how to do things like juggle, make friendship bracelets, or build cool inventions. John Cassidy has been the main creative mind behind Klutz for many years.
Early Life and Education
John Cassidy went to Stanford University. There, he studied English and Education. While at Stanford, he became good friends with Darrell Lorentzen and B.C. Rimbeaux. These friends would later help him start Klutz Press.
How Klutz Press Began
In 1977, John Cassidy was working as a student teacher at a high school in Mountain View, California. He had a great idea to teach his students how to juggle. He gave 75 tennis balls to his class and showed them how to do it. His students loved it!
Because of this success, John Cassidy and his college friends, Darrell Lorentzen and B.C. Rimbeaux, decided to write a book. They published Juggling for the Complete Klutz. The book was a big hit! It sold 50,000 copies by the end of 1978. That same year, the three friends officially started Klutz Press in Palo Alto, California.
John Cassidy's Impact at Klutz
John Cassidy has been the chief executive and the main creative person at Klutz Press since it began. He has written more than 200 books for the company. Juggling for the Complete Klutz is still their most popular book, selling over 2.5 million copies! His books encourage kids to be creative, learn new skills, and have fun.
Awards and Recognition
In May 2006, John Cassidy received a special honor called the Legacy for Children Award. The Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose gave him this award. It celebrates people or groups whose work has greatly helped children learn and grow. Other famous people who received this award include Dr. Seuss, Bil Keane, and Fred Rogers.
Other Activities
In 2018, John Cassidy joined the board of ARTA River Trips. This is a nonprofit company that organizes rafting trips.
