Patricia Polacco facts for kids

Patricia Barber Polacco, born on July 11, 1944, is a well-known American author and illustrator. She writes and draws many popular children's books. When she was in school, Patricia had a tough time with reading. But she found a way to express herself through art. She faced teasing because of her reading struggles. She kept her difficulty a secret until a kind teacher noticed and helped her. Patricia wrote the book Thank You, Mr. Falker about this important experience. She also wrote other famous books like Mr. Lincoln's Way and The Lemonade Club.

Patricia Polacco's Story

Growing Up

Patricia Polacco was born on July 11, 1944, in Lansing, Michigan. Her mom was a teacher, and her dad was a salesman who later became a talk show host. When Patricia was three, her parents divorced. She moved with her mom and brother to her grandmother's farm in Union City, Michigan.

This farm and the stories her grandmother told greatly influenced many of Patricia's books. Her grandmother, whom she called "Babushka" in her stories, shared Russian folklore. Sadly, her grandmother passed away in 1949 when Patricia was only five years old. During the summers, Patricia stayed with her dad and his Irish parents. She remembers, "In both households I had these amazing storytellers." Her family didn't have a television. Instead, they spent evenings listening to wonderful tales told by their grandparents.

Overcoming Challenges in School

Patricia didn't learn to read until she was almost 14 years old. School was very difficult for her. Finally, in junior high, a teacher realized she had dyslexia. This is a learning difference that makes reading and spelling harder. This discovery helped Patricia get the support she needed.

One of her famous books, Pink and Say, is based on a true story from her family. It's about her great-great-grandfather, Sheldon Russell Curtis. He fought in the American Civil War and became good friends with a Black soldier named Pinkus Aylee.

Becoming a Storyteller

In 1949, after her grandmother passed away, Patricia's family moved to Coral Gables, Florida for three years. Then they moved to the Rockridge area of Oakland, California. She went to Oakland Technical High School, where she became friends with Frank Oz, who later became a famous puppeteer.

Patricia studied art history and earned advanced degrees in the United States and Australia. After college, she worked in art museums, helping to restore old artworks. She didn't start writing children's books until she was 41!

Patricia's mother believed in her books so much. She gave Patricia money to travel to New York City. There, Patricia met with many publishers. In just one week, she had 16 meetings and showed them seven or eight of her books. By the end of the week, all her books had been bought!

Today, Patricia Polacco lives in Union City, Michigan. She has two children, Traci and Steven. She has also spoken out about how she feels about high-stakes tests in schools.

Her Amazing Books

• Lillian Two Blossom (1988) ISBN: 0-399-21470-4
• The Keeping Quilt (1988) ISBN: 0-689-82090-9
• Rechenka's Eggs (1988) ISBN: 0399215018
• Meteor! (1987) ISBN: 0-399-21699-5
• Uncle Vova's Tree (1989) ISBN: 0-399-21617-0
• Babushka's Doll (1990) ISBN: 0-671-68343-8
• Just Plain Fancy (1990) ISBN: 0-553-05884-3
• Thunder Cake (1990) ISBN: 0-399-22231-6
• Appelemando's Dreams (1991) ISBN: 0-399-21800-9
• Dream Keeper (1991) ISBN: 0-399-22947-7
• Some Birthday! (1991) ISBN: 0-671-72750-8
• Chicken Sunday (1992) ISBN: 0-399-22133-6
• Mrs. Katz and Tush (1992) ISBN: 0-440-40936-5
• Picnic at Mudsock Meadow (1992) ISBN: 0-399-21811-4
• Babushka Baba Yaga (1993) ISBN: 0-399-22531-5
• The Bee Tree (1993) ISBN: 0-399-21965-X
• Firetalking (1994) ISBN: 1-878450-55-7
• My Rotten Redheaded Older Brother (1994) ISBN: 0-671-72751-6
• Pink and Say (1994) ISBN: 0-399-22671-0
• Tikvah Means Hope (1994) ISBN: 0-385-32059-0
• Babushka's Mother Goose (1995) ISBN: 0-399-22747-4
• My Ol' Man (1995) ISBN: 0-399-22822-5
• Aunt Chip And The Great Triple Creek Dam Affair (1996) ISBN: 0-399-22943-4
• I Can Hear The Sun: A Modern Myth (1996) ISBN: 0-399-22520-X
• The Trees of the Dancing Goats (1996) ISBN: 0-689-80862-3
• Casey at the Bat: A Ballad of the Republic Sung in the Year 1888 (1997) ISBN: 0-698-11557-0; Author: Ernest Lawrence Thayer, Illustrator: Patricia Polacco
• In Enzo's Splendid Gardens (1997) ISBN: 0-399-23107-2
• Mrs. Mack (1998) ISBN: 0-399-23167-6
• Thank You, Mr. Falker (1998) ISBN: 0-399-23166-8
• Luba And The Wren (1999) ISBN: 0-399-23168-4
• Welcome Comfort (1999) ISBN: 0-399-23169-2
• The Butterfly (2000) ISBN: 0-399-23170-6
• Betty Doll (2001) ISBN: 0-399-23638-4
• Gracias, Sr. Falker (2001) ISBN: 1-930332-03-3, with Teresa Mlawer
• Mr. Lincoln's Way (2001) ISBN: 0-399-23754-2
• Christmas Tapestry (2002) ISBN: 0-399-23955-3
• When Lightning Comes In A Jar (2002) ISBN: 0-399-23164-1
• G is for Goat (2003) ISBN: 0-399-24018-7
• The Graves Family (2003) ISBN: 0-399-24034-9
• John Philip Duck (2004) ISBN: 0-399-24262-7
• Oh, Look! (2004) ISBN: 0-399-24223-6
• An Orange for Frankie (2004) ISBN: 0-399-24302-X
• Emma Kate (2005) ISBN: 0-399-24452-2
• The Graves Family Goes Camping (2005) ISBN: 0-399-24369-0
• Mommies Say Shhh (2005) ISBN: 0-399-24341-0
• Rotten Richie and the Ultimate Dare (2006) ISBN: 0-399-24531-6
• Ginger and Petunia (2006) ISBN: 9780399245398
• Something About Hensley's (2006) ISBN: 0-399-24538-3
• The Lemonade Club (2007) ISBN: 9780399245404
• For the Love of Autumn (2008) ISBN: 9780399245411
• Someone for Mr. Sussman (2008) ISBN: 9780399250750
• In Our Mothers' House (2009) ISBN: 0-399-25076-X
• January's Sparrow (2009) ISBN: 978-0-399-25077-4
• Junkyard Wonders (2010) ISBN: 0-399-25078-6
• Just in Time, Abraham Lincoln (2011) ISBN: 9780399254710
• Bun Bun Button (2011) ISBN: 9780399254727
• The Art of Miss Chew (2012) ISBN: 9780399257032
• Bully (2012) ISBN: 9780399257049
• Gifts of the Heart (2013) ISBN: 9780399160943
• The Blessing Cup (2013) ISBN: 1442450479
• Clara and Davie (2014) ISBN: 9780545354776
• Mr. Wayne's Masterpiece (2014) ISBN: 9780399160950
• Tucky Jo and Little Heart (2015) ISBN: 9781481415842
• An A From Miss Keller (2015) ISBN: 9780399166914
• Fiona's Lace (2014) ISBN: 9781442487246
• The Mermaid's Purse (2016) ISBN: 9780399166921
• Because of Thursday (2016) ISBN: 9781481421409
• Remembering Vera (2017) ISBN: 9781481442275
• Holes in the Sky (2018) ISBN: 9781524739485
• The Bravest Man in the World (2019) ISBN: 9781481494618
• Sticks and Stones (2020) ISBN: 9781534426221
• Go Ask Ozzie (2021) ISBN: 9781534478558
• Palace of Books (2023) ISBN: 9781534451315
• Sea of Gold (2024)

ISBN: 9781665938426

Awards and Recognition

Patricia Polacco has won many awards for her wonderful books:

• 1988 Sydney Taylor Book Award for The Keeping Quilt
• 1989 International Reading Association Award for Rechenka's Eggs
• March 10, 1990 Santa Clara Reading Council
• Author's Hall of Fame
• Commonwealth Club of California Recognition of Excellence for
  • 1990 Babushka's Doll
  • 1992 Chicken Sunday (November 14, 1992, was even declared Chicken Sunday!)
• 1992 Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators
• Golden Kite Award for Illustration for Chicken Sunday
• 1992 Boston Area Educators for Social Responsibility
• Children's Literature and Social Responsibility Award
• November 9, 1993 Jane Adams Peace Assoc. and Women's Intl. League for Peace and Freedom Awards
• Honor Award for Mrs. Katz and Tush for its effective contribution to peace and social justice.
• Parent's Choice Honors
  • 1991 Some Birthday
  • 1997 Video/Dream Keeper
  • 1998 Thank You, Mr. Falker
• 1996 North Dakota Library Association Children's Book Award for My Rotten Red Headed Older Brother
• 1996 Jo Osborne Award for Humor in Children's Literature
• 1997 Missouri Association of School Librarians
• Show Me Readers Award for My Rotten Red Headed Older Brother
• 1997 West Virginia Children's Book Award for Pink and Say
• 1998 Mid-South Independent Booksellers for Children Humpty Dumpty Award
• 2014 Sydney Taylor Book Award for The Blessing Cup