Karen Ackerman was born in Cincinnati, Ohio on October 9, 1951. She was a single child and although she was never really "inspired" to become an author, she always had a tale to tell or write. Her mother encouraged her until she began writing on the walls—and then she steered her towards paper!
Her first children's book was published in 1982. She has since published over twenty-five books, including children's favorites Tell Me Some More, I Know A Place, and Night Crossing. Her books have won many awards including Parents' Choice, ABA Pick of the List, ALA Notable Books, Children's Book Council/NCSS Notable Books in the Field of Social Studies, New York Library Best List, Horn Book's Best, and School Library Journal Best Books. Her picture-book Song and Dance Man, illustrated by Stephen Gammell, won the 1989 Caldecott Medal.
Karen still lives in Ohio, barely five miles from where she was raised. She loves to read, and she encourages young authors and illustrators not to give up due to rejections. "Sometimes you're the pigeon; and sometimes you're the statue! The important thing is to keep writing."
Some of her most popular books are:
- Song and Dance Man (1998)
- Leaves in October (1991)
- Night Crossing (1994)
- By the Dawn's Early Light (1994)
- Araminta's Paint Box (1990)
- The Tin Heart (1990)
- The Sleeping Porch (1995)
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