Mary Jane Carr facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mary Jane Carr
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| Born | April 23, 1895 - January 4, 1988 Portland, Oregon |
| Occupation | Author |
| Nationality | American |
| Genre | Children's Literature, Biographies |
| Notable works | Children Of The Covered Wagon, Young Mac Of Fort Vancouver andPeggy and Paul and Laddy |
Mary Jane Carr (born April 23, 1895 – died January 4, 1988) was an American author from Portland, Oregon. She started writing poems at just eight years old. As a high school student, she even used her writing skills to help pay for her education. Mary Jane Carr also had a special agreement with Walt Disney! Besides poems and stories, she wrote plays for children. She also worked as a journalist, editing newspapers for the Catholic Sentinel for many years.
Her first book, Children of the Covered Wagon, came out in 1934. This popular story was later made into a movie called "Westward Ho the Wagons" (1956) by Walt Disney Productions. Her other famous books include Young Mac of Fort Vancouver and Peggy and Paul and Laddy. Mary Jane Carr's poem "Pirate Wind" was even used by NFL Films founder Steve Sabol for a film about the Oakland Raiders football team.
Mary Jane Carr's Early Life and Dreams
Mary Jane Carr was born in Portland, Oregon. She knew she wanted to be a writer from a very young age. This dream began almost as soon as she learned to read. Mary Jane grew up in a large family with eight brothers and sisters.
Her father was a lawyer who also used to teach. He loved to read to his children on winter evenings. He would read many poems to Mary Jane and her siblings. These reading times helped Mary Jane love the rhythm and music in poetry. Later, after her father passed away, she found a poem she had struggled to write as a child. Finding it among his papers brought back many happy memories she shared with her father.
Becoming a Writer and Journalist
Mary Jane Carr went to St. Mary's College, an all-girls school. This school is now known as Marylhurst University. Here, she began to study journalism. She also started working as a proofreader and writing editorials for newspapers.
Her first job at a newspaper was given to her by her college history professor. Mary Jane Carr's first book was published in 1934. She wrote three books that were so important they were even put into Braille. This allowed many schools to use them for students who are blind or have low vision.
Mary Jane Carr's Famous Books
Mary Jane Carr wrote several popular books for young readers. Her stories often took readers on exciting adventures.
- Children Of The Covered Wagon
- Young Mac of Fort Vancouver
- Peggy and Paul and Laddy
