Robert Munsch facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Robert Munsch
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Munsch in Guelph, Ontario, 1997
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| Born | Robert Norman Munsch June 11, 1945 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Occupation | Author |
| Nationality | American (1945–1983) Canadian (1983–present) |
| Education | Master of Education (Child studies) |
| Alma mater | Boston University (BA, MA) Fordham University Tufts University University of Guelph |
| Period | 1979–2024 |
| Genre | Children's literature |
| Notable works | The Paper Bag Princess Love You Forever |
| Notable awards | Order of Canada |
| Children | 3 |
Robert Norman Munsch (born June 11, 1945) is a famous American-born, Canadian author who writes books for children. He is known for his special way of telling stories. He often creates stories by working with children, taking ideas from their lives and making them super funny or even magical.
Robert Munsch has won many awards. These include a Juno Award and being made a member of the Order of Canada. He also has a star on Canada's Walk of Fame. Two public schools in Ontario are even named after him! His books have sold millions of copies around the world.
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Robert Munsch's Early Life and Career
Robert Munsch was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in the United States, on June 11, 1945. He grew up in a big family with nine children. He went to Fordham University and earned a degree in history in 1969. Later, he studied anthropology at Boston University, getting another degree in 1971.
Munsch first thought about becoming a priest. However, after working at orphanages and daycare centers, he realized he loved working with children. In 1973, he earned a special degree in Child Studies from Tufts University.
Moving to Canada and Becoming an Author
In 1975, Robert Munsch moved to Canada. He started working at a preschool at the University of Guelph in Guelph, Ontario. He also taught at the university. While working with children, he made up many stories for them. People encouraged him to publish these stories, and that's how he became a famous children's author.
Famous Books by Robert Munsch
One of Robert Munsch's most well-known books is Love You Forever. This book has sold over 30 million copies! It has even been mentioned on TV shows like Friends and by talk show host Oprah Winfrey.
Another very popular book by Munsch is The Paper Bag Princess. This story has sold more than seven million copies. Many people see it as an important story that teaches about being strong and independent.
Robert and his wife, Ann, adopted three children. They were unable to have biological children of their own.
Robert Munsch's Storytelling Style
Robert Munsch is famous for his exciting way of telling stories. He uses big expressions and different voices for his characters. He often makes up stories right in front of his audience. He then tells them again and again, making them better each time.
Munsch's stories do not have the same main character in every book. Instead, the characters are often based on the real children he first told the stories to. This includes his own children. He often visited children's festivals and even surprised elementary schools with unannounced visits. In 1991, some of his books were turned into an animated TV show called A Bunch of Munsch.
Awards and Special Recognitions
Robert Munsch has received many honors for his work.
- In 1985, he won a Juno Award for his audio recording of "Murmel, Murmel, Munsch: More Outrageous Stories."
- In 1992, the Canadian Booksellers' Association named him "Author of the Year."
- In 1999, he became a Member of the Order of Canada. This is a very high honor in Canada.
- On June 17, 2009, it was announced that Munsch would get a star on Canada's Walk of Fame in Toronto. The ceremony happened on September 12, 2009. His star was placed on King Street in Toronto in 2013.
Two schools in Ontario are named after him:
- Robert Munsch Public School opened in Whitby, Ontario, in 2009.
- A second Robert Munsch Public School opened in Mount Albert, Ontario, in 2014.
Robert Munsch is also known for being the most borrowed author at the Toronto Public Library.
Robert Munsch's Book Collections
Here are some collections of Robert Munsch's stories:
| Year | Title | ISBN | Stories Included |
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| 1998 | Munschworks: The First Munsch Collection | 978-1-55037-523-7 | The Paper Bag Princess • I Have to Go! • David's Father • The Fire Station • Thomas' Snowsuit |
| 1999 | Munschworks 2: The Second Munsch Treasury | 978-1-55037-553-4 | Pigs • Purple, Green and Yellow • Mortimer • Murmel, Murmel, Murmel • Something Good |
| 2000 | Munschworks 3: The Third Munsch Treasury | 978-1-55037-633-3 | Stephanie's Ponytail • Angela's Airplane • Jonathan Cleaned Up • Show and Tell • A Promise Is a Promise |
| 2001 | Munschworks Grand Treasury | 978-1-55037-685-2 | The Paper Bag Princess • The Fire Station • I Have to Go! • David's Father • Thomas' Snowsuit • Pigs • Mortimer • Purple, Green and Yellow • Murmel, Murmel, Murmel • Something Good • Stephanie's Ponytail • Angela's Airplane • Jonathan Cleaned Up - Then He Heard a Sound • Show and Tell • A Promise Is a Promise |
| 2002 | Munschworks 4: The Fourth Munsch Treasury | 978-1-55037-766-8 | Moira's Birthday • From Far Away • 50 Below Zero • The Boy in the Drawer • Millicent and the Wind |
| 2004 | Munsch More! | 978-0-439-96135-6 | Alligator Baby • Andrew's Loose Tooth • Get Out of Bed • Mmm, Cookies! • Ribbon Rescue |
| 2006 | Murmel Murmel Munsch! (audio CD) |
1897166273 | Mud Puddle • Pigs! • Boo! • Kendro's Braids • Squished Squash • I'm So Embarrassed! • Lacey's Kiss • Murmel, Murmel, Murmel • Flowers on My Jeans • Andrew's Loose Tooth • Something Good • Victoria's Lunch • Makeup Mess • Zoom! |
| 2007 | Much More Munsch!: A Robert Munsch Collection | 978-0-43993-571-5 | We Share Everything! • Aaron's Hair • Up, Up, Down • Makeup Mess • Playhouse |
| 2010 | Mad About Munsch: A Robert Munsch Collection | 978-1-44310-239-1 | More Pies! • Zoom! • Smelly Socks • Boo! • The Sandcastle Contest • Braids |
| 2010 | Munsch Mini-Treasury One | 978-1-55451-273-7 | Angela's Airplane • The Paper Bag Princess • 50 Below Zero • Pigs • A Promise Is a Promise |
| 2010 | Munsch Mini-Treasury Two | 978-1-55451-274-4 | Stephanie's Ponytail • The Fire Station • I Have to Go! • Moira's Birthday • Thomas' Snowsuit |
| 2013 | Munsch Mania! | 978-1-44312-826-1 | Class Clown • I'm So Embarrassed! • Just One Goal! • Look at Me! • No Clean Clothes |
| 2014 | Munsch Mini-Treasury Three | 978-1-55451-651-3 | David's Father • Mortimer • Purple, Green and Yellow • Show and Tell • Something Good |
| 2017 | The Robert Munsch Collection: Volume One | 978-1-50404-984-9 | The Paper Bag Princess • Stephanie's Ponytail • 50 Below Zero • Pigs • The Fire Station • A Promise Is a Promise • Jonathan Cleaned Up - Then He Heard a Sound • Moira's Birthday • Show and Tell • Mortimer |
| 2017 | The Robert Munsch Collection: Volume Two | 978-1-50404-985-6 | Angela's Airplane • David's Father • I Have to Go! • Mud Puddle • Murmel, Murmel, Murmel • Something Good • The Boy in the Drawer • The Dark • Thomas' Snowsuit • Wait and See |
| 2019 | Marvellous Munsch! | 978-1-44314-863-4 | Down the Drain! • Put Me in a Book! • Too Much Stuff! • Moose! • Give Me Back My Dad! • Hugs |
