Richard Michelson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Richard Michelson
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| Born | 3 July 1953 Brooklyn, NY |
| Genre | Children's Literature, Poetry |
Richard Michelson (born July 3, 1953) is a talented poet and a popular children's book author. He has won many awards for his books, especially those for young readers.
In 2009, his book As Good As Anybody: Martin Luther King and Abraham Joshua Heschel's Amazing March Toward Freedom won the top Sydney Taylor Book Award Gold Medal. Another book, A is for Abraham, won the Silver Medal in the same year. This was a big deal because it was the first time one author won both top awards! Richard Michelson has continued to win, earning another Silver Medal in 2017 and a second Gold Medal in 2018.
He has also been a finalist for the National Jewish Book Award multiple times. He won this award in 2017 for his book The Language of Angels. Other honors include the Skipping Stone Multicultural Book Award and being recognized by the New York Times for his children's books. In 2019, he received the Samuel Minot Jones Award for Literary Achievement.
Michelson has shared his work and ideas around the world. He has lectured in places like India and Eastern Europe. In 2005, he even represented the United States at a special children's book event in Bratislava. He has also written for well-known publications like the New York Times Book Review. Besides writing, he used to be the Curator of Exhibitions at the National Yiddish Book Center. Today, he owns R. Michelson Galleries in Northampton, Massachusetts.
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About Richard Michelson's Life
Richard Michelson was born in Brooklyn, New York. His father, Maurice, was a shopkeeper, and his mother, Caroline (Kay), was a homemaker. When he was in his late twenties, his family faced a difficult time when his father passed away.
His family's history, including experiences during the Holocaust, also influenced his work. His aunt shared memories of living as a young Jewish person in Europe during a very hard time. While his poetry for adults often explores serious topics like history and racism, his books for younger readers are inspired by his love for family and different cultures.
In 1972, when he was just 19, Richard Michelson started traveling. He spent three years selling fine art. This experience made him very interested in art and literature. During this time, he met his wife, Jennifer Michelson, who is now an Interfaith Minister.
Richard and Jennifer have two children, Marisa and Samuel. Marisa is a composer and playwright. Samuel works as a Director of Operations for a company called Nanz. The family enjoys hobbies like theater and biking.
Richard Michelson's Career
Richard Michelson is a busy person! He is a poet, a children's book author, a curator, and a speaker. He also owns R. Michelson Galleries in Northampton, Massachusetts. He has also helped organize art shows at the National Yiddish Book Center.
He loves to travel and talk to children and teachers. He shares his passion for poetry and discusses important ideas like social justice.
In 1976, Michelson opened his first art gallery. After three years, he moved back to the East Coast. There, he opened the R. Michelson Galleries in Northampton, MA. This gallery is in a huge old bank building with high ceilings and marble floors. He still runs it today!
His gallery shows art from many famous artists. These include sculptors, painters, and printmakers. Some well-known artists whose work has been shown there are Leonard Baskin and even Leonard Nimoy (who played Spock in Star Trek!). The gallery also features many original illustrations from children's books. You can see art by famous illustrators like Theodor Seuss Geisel (Dr. Seuss), Mo Willems, and Maurice Sendak.
Richard Michelson also hosts a show called Northampton Poetry Radio. He has also served two terms as the Poet Laureate for Northampton, Massachusetts.
Themes in His Books
Richard Michelson's picture books often focus on strong family relationships. Books like Grandpa's Gamble, Too Young for Yiddish, and Happy Feet show how important family connections are.
Family and Heritage
In Grandpa's Gamble, a young boy tries to understand why his grandfather spends so much time praying quietly. The boy learns about his grandfather's past, including how his family faced challenges in Poland. He also learns how his grandfather came to America and found success. This book shows the strong bonds of love and faith between generations.
Too Young for Yiddish is another story about a boy and his grandfather, or Zayde. The boy wants to learn Yiddish, a language spoken by many Jewish people. Even though his grandfather first says he's too young, their shared love for books creates a special connection. Critics have said this book is a powerful reminder that the Yiddish language is slowly disappearing.
Celebrating Culture and Friendship
Happy Feet tells a story about an African American family. It is similar to Michelson's Jewish-themed books because it also highlights a strong family. The story is told by a young boy whose father's business is across from the famous Savoy Ballroom in Harlem. The family gets to see all the amazing music, dance, and famous people who visit the ballroom. This book celebrates the rich culture of Harlem in the early 1900s. It is a tribute to the Savoy Ballroom and the Jazz Era. The beautiful illustrations by E.B. Lewis add to the book's charm.
Across the Alley is about two neighbors, Abe and Willie. During the day, they don't play together because Abe is Jewish and Willie is Black. But at night, they are best friends. This story is set during a time of segregation. It gives hope for a future without racism.
As Good As Anybody is another book about the friendship between Black and Jewish people. It tells the story of two great civil rights leaders. The book shows how the fight for human rights affects everyone. Michelson uses poetic language to show the similarities between the lives of these two men. He also explains complex ideas like segregation in a clear way that young readers can understand.
Images for kids
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Richard Michelson
