Margaret H. Lippert facts for kids

Margaret H. Lippert (born June 12, 1942) is an American author. She writes books and collections of stories based on folklore and storytelling from cultures all over the world.

Margaret Lippert's Early Life and Work

Margaret H. Lippert was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Her parents, John and Ruth Hodgkin, were part of the Quaker community. She grew up in a special community called Bryn Gweled near Philadelphia. Her parents helped start this community.

Margaret's love for storytelling began with her father. He knew two stories by heart and told them to her and her brothers every night. After her oldest brother David passed away at age 10, Margaret spent a lot of time with her neighbors' families. She often cared for and told stories to children in the community.

In 1960, Margaret started college at Swarthmore College. During her time there, she was active in the civil rights movement. This movement worked to gain equal rights for all people. She traveled to Tennessee to help Black citizens register to vote. While living with a Black farming family, she had many important experiences. She even faced danger from people who wanted to keep races separate.

After graduating in 1964, she volunteered for two years with the American Friends Service Committee. This group helps people around the world. Her first year was in Tanzania, where she discovered her passion for African culture and stories. Her second year was in Guatemala, where she learned Spanish.

For the next ten years, Margaret taught in New York City. She often used storytelling to teach her students. In 1983, she earned her doctorate degree in Education from Teachers College, Columbia University. Her main project for this degree was about using storytelling in classrooms.

Margaret Lippert's Writing Career

Margaret Lippert has written 22 books. This includes 9 collections of stories and 13 books for children and young adults. Her first book was published in 1988.

Many of Lippert's books are inspired by the storytelling and folklore of Africa, Latin America, and Asia. In 1990, she moved to the Seattle area. There, she began working with Won-Ldy Paye, a storyteller from the Dan tribe in Liberia. Her most recent books are a result of this teamwork, and they are co-authored by Paye.

Lippert has worked with famous illustrators. These include Caldecott Medal winners Leo and Diane Dillon (for Why the Moon is in the Sky) and Ashley Bryan (for Why Leopard Has Spots). She also worked with Julie Paschkis on several books like Head, Body, Legs and Mrs. Chicken and the Hungry Crocodile.

Margaret Lippert has received many awards for her books. Some of these include:

• The Charlotte Zolotow Honor Award for Mrs. Chicken and the Hungry Crocodile (2004).
• The Chapman Award for Best Classroom Read-Alouds for Mrs. Chicken and the Hungry Crocodile (2003).
• American Library Association Notable Children's Book for Head, Body, Legs (2003).
• Aesop Accolade Award from the American Folklore Society for Head, Body, Legs (2002) and Why Leopard Has Spots (1999).
• Best Book for Older Readers from the African Studies Association for Why Leopard Has Spots (1999).

Later Career and Storytelling Impact

Margaret Lippert now lives in Mercer Island, Washington, with her husband Alan. Her two daughters, Jocelyn Ruth (born 1982) and Dawn Samantha (born 1984), live in Washington D.C.

Lippert continues to write and tell stories at schools and libraries. She also teaches writing for children as a professor at the University of Washington Extension School. She is also a professor at the Lesley University Creative Arts In Learning program. There, she teaches how to use storytelling in elementary schools.

In 2007, her book Head, Body, Legs was chosen as the "We Share a Story" book of the year. This meant it was read in 23 countries on 6 continents. After hearing the story, children in each country decorated and cut out paper body parts. These parts were then put together to make paper people with pieces from different countries. These unique paper people were sent back to the children’s schools. Margaret Lippert traveled to Australia, Denmark, Norway, and England as part of this amazing program.

Margaret Lippert's Philosophy on Storytelling

Margaret Lippert truly believes in the power of storytelling. She thinks stories can bring energy and imagination into the lives of children, both at school and at home. Her books and her teaching come from her many years of using stories to inspire kids. She also wants to build stronger communities by bringing back the tradition of telling stories out loud.

Margaret Lippert's Works

Books for Children

• The Talking Vegetables, Holt, 2006 (co-authored by Won-Ldy Paye and illustrated by Julie Paschkis)
• Mrs. Chicken and the Hungry Crocodile, Holt, 2003 (co-authored by Won-Ldy Paye and illustrated by Julie Paschkis)
• Head, Body, Legs: A Story from Liberia, Holt, 2002 (co-authored by Won-Ldy Paye and illustrated by Julie Paschkis)
• Finist the Falcon: A Russian Legend, Troll, 1996 (illustrated by Dave Albers)
• The Sea Serpents’s Daughter: A Brazilian Legend, Troll, 1993 (illustrated by Felipe Davalos)
• Why the Moon Is in the Sky: An African Folk Tale, Macmillan, 1988 (illustrated by Leo and Diane Dillon)
• The Three Billy Goats Gruff, Macmillan, 1988 (illustrated by Jan Pyk)
• The Clever Turtle, Macmillan, 1988 (illustrated by Ray Cruz)
• The Little Red Hen, Macmillan, 1988 (illustrated by Mary Jane Begin)
• The Three Bears, Macmillan, 1988 (illustrated by Lulu Delacre)
• Timimoto, Macmillan, 1988 (illustrated by Kathy Mitchell)

Young Adult Books

• Why Leopard Has Spots: Dan Stories from Liberia, Fulcrum, 1998 (co-authored by Won-Ldy Paye and illustrated by Ashley Bryan)