Kerry Wood (author) facts for kids

Kerry Wood (born Edgar Allardyce Wood, 1907-1998) was a well-known Canadian writer. He wrote many books, especially for children. He also worked as a journalist and created scripts for radio and TV shows for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Kerry Wood won the important Governor General's Award twice for his children's books. He was also honored as a Member of the Order of Canada.

Early Life and Writing Start

Kerry Wood was born in New York City on June 2, 1907. As a child, he lived in different parts of Western Canada. When he was eleven, his family settled in Red Deer, Alberta.

Wood started writing when he was sixteen years old. A teacher encouraged him to leave high school and focus on his writing skills. This encouragement helped him begin his long career as an author.

Writing Career

Wood began his writing career in 1924 as a freelancer, meaning he wrote for different places without being a full-time employee. By 1926, he became a newspaper columnist. He wrote for various newspapers across Alberta, including the Edmonton Journal and Calgary Herald, until 1973.

In 1939, Wood joined the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC). He mainly wrote scripts for radio shows until 1973. From 1958 to 1965, he also wrote scripts for television.

Besides journalism and scriptwriting, Wood wrote many children's novels. He published these books between the 1930s and 1980s. In 1986, he released his autobiography, A Legacy of Laughter. He continued writing into the 1990s, with his last book, This Smiling Land, published in 1996.

Awards and Honours

Kerry Wood received several important awards for his writing. He won the Governor General's Award for English-language juvenile fiction twice:

• In 1955, for his book The Map-Maker.
• In 1957, for his book The Great Chief.

In 1990, he was named a Member of the Order of Canada. This is one of Canada's highest honors, given to people who have made a big difference to the country. After he passed away, the Calgary Stampede named him one of the 100 Outstanding Albertans in 2012.

Personal Life

Kerry Wood was married and had three children. He passed away in Red Deer on July 25, 1998.