9th August Jose Aruego (1932)

Last August, 9th I wrote about four stalwarts of children's literature, P.L.Travers, Tove Jansson, Seymour Simon and Nick Sharratt, but I didn't know that it was also the birthday of Jose Aruego. A Filipino-born illustrator, he has been a favourite since I first shared Leo the Late Bloomer and Milton the Early Riser with children. Subsequently, I have learned that he has many more gems to his credit and that he now lives in New York, not the Philippines. Although his characters amuse and do humorous things, Aruego takes his writing and drawing for children very seriously. He says that 'he feels he is still learning his craft and getting to know his audience. Each project teaches me something new and makes me a better artist. Each book brings me closer to children.'

Aruego's most well-known books are probably those that are written by Robert Kraus and illustrated with his ex-wife Ariane Dewey, but he has also worked with Judy Sierra, Crescent Dragonwagon and Joseph Bruchac, the writer who has written about his Abenaki Native Indian heritage.

21st June Robert Kraus (1925 - 2001) Janet McLean (1946)

American Robert Kraus is the author of Leo the Late Bloomer, the reassuring story that tells children that not everyone does everything at the same time or pace, but in their own time. Leo, a small tiger cannot read, write or draw. He even eats sloppily, but he 'blooms' in his own time and does achieve at things that his peers have already done.This story provides great discussion starters for Circle Time and allows children who achieve easily to empathise with those who don't. The flower metaphor can also be explored further with a class after a reading session.

Australian Janet McLean is a kindergarten teacher who started her writing career writing stories with her husband, Andrew McLean (see 29th May) for him to

illustrate. She says that 'working with young children over the past thirty years has been an inspiration to me as a writer.' This is very obvious in her book Make it I'm the Mother.

And thirdly, a picture book on the refugee theme. Petar's Song by Pratima Mitchell and Caroline Binch tells the story of a mother and her three children who escape from their village when war breaks out by walking over the mountains and across the border. One of the sons, Petar plays the violin well, but cannot bring himself to play it again, despite taking it with him, once he leaves his father and village until Christmas comes and a song of peace plays in his head. This story does not see the family reunited, but it is hopeful.