Leila Berg facts for kids

Leila Berg (born November 12, 1917 – died April 17, 2012) was a famous English author who wrote many books for children. She was also a journalist, which means she wrote for newspapers. Leila Berg also wrote a lot about how children learn and their rights. She won a special award called the Eleanor Farjeon Award for her important work.

Leila's Early Life and Work

Leila grew up in Salford, England. Her family was Jewish, and her father was a doctor. She wrote a book called Flickerbook (1997) where she shared many stories about her childhood.

During the time of the Spanish Civil War, Leila became involved with a group called the Young Communist League. This was a time of big changes and challenges, and she sadly lost two people she cared about in the war. Her first job was writing for a newspaper called The Daily Worker.

Writing for Children

Leila Berg was very interested in how children learn. She was inspired by thinkers like Susan Sutherland Isaacs, a psychologist. After working as a journalist during World War II, she got married and started her own family. This led her to begin writing stories for children.

She also cared a lot about "progressive education." This is a way of teaching that focuses on a child's natural curiosity and interests, rather than just strict rules. She was influenced by people like A. S. Neill, who started Summerhill School, and John Holt, who supported "unschooling," where children learn outside of traditional schools.

Changing Children's Books

In the 1960s, Leila Berg started writing children's books in a new, more realistic style. Her Nippers series of readers showed everyday life in cities. This was a big change from older books, like the "Janet and John" readers or the cozy stories by Enid Blyton. Leila wanted children's books to feel more real and connect with kids' actual experiences.

She later became the children's editor for a publishing company called Methuen. She once said in a speech, "All my life I have sought to empower children." This means she wanted to help children feel strong, confident, and able to make their own choices.

Awards and Legacy

Leila Berg received the Eleanor Farjeon Award in 1974. This award celebrates people who have made a big difference in children's books.

Leila Berg passed away on April 17, 2012, at the age of 94. Her work helped change how children's stories were written and how people thought about children's rights.

Leila Berg's Books