Scott Foresman Reading Street

DISCUSS AUTHORS

The following information will add to students' understanding of the writing done by the authors whose biographical information appears on pages 414–415.

Writers of fantasy have many decisions to make. While all fantasy has elements that are impossible or could not happen, the amount of fantasy can vary. A fantasy can be anything from an impossible event in a realistic setting with ordinary characters to an impossible event in a fantastical setting with make-believe characters. The writer must decide how familiar or how fantastical each element will be.
Most writers of fantasy have read many fairytales, myths, and legends. Their imaginations have been fed by the impossible situations or amazing creatures of these classic stories.
Like all other successful types of fiction, fantasy needs to involve believable reactions and emotions for readers to connect with the stories.

More About Janet Stevens

Janet Stevens never had a pet when she was a child because she moved so often. So she would pretend. She relates, "I would put bowls of milk out for my stuffed toy cat. I read all the books I could find about animals: Black Beauty, King of the Wind, Brighty of the Grand Canyon, The Incredible Journey. I could not have a pet of my own, but I could read all about them."

Ms. Stevens wants children to enjoy reading. She tells them, "Jump into a book like a cool swimming pool on a hot summer day, and feel it all around you. Read at your own pace. Reread the parts you don't get—or that you like the most. Dive into it! Become the character in the book; feel all the feelings."

More About Chris Van Allsburg

Chris Van Allsburg is one of the best-known children's books illustrators alive today. Most people have seen his art in his award-winning books The Polar Express and Jumanji. Mr. Van Allsburg says good stories contain a moral truth. He believes that Two Bad Ants says something about being true to one's own nature. His fantasies are often strange and mysterious, which seems to be a big part of their appeal. One honest fan wrote, "Dear Mr. Van Allsburg, I love the books you write. I am so glad your books are weird. You are weird but great!"

Students can use a student-friendly search engine to learn more about the authors and author/illustrators on these pages. They may also wish to make a list of other works by these authors that they would like to read.

Meet Authors of Fantasy and Animal Fantasy

Carey Armstrong-Ellis collects snow globes
and funny salt and pepper shakers. Her

The author/illustrator of Prudy's Problem, p. 202 of Vol. 1

Carey Armstrong-Ellis

Janet Stevens

The author/illustrator of Tops and Bottoms, p. 228 of Vol. 1

When Janet Stevens began writing Tops and Bottoms, the words just would not come to

daughters also collect things. They inspired her to write the story Prudy's Problem. Ms. Armstrong-Ellis painted the pictures for her book much later. Other books about collecting: Let's Go Rock Collecting and Collecting Baseball Cards

her, so she started by drawing the pictures. "Drawing pictures
first of Bear and Hare helped me get to know them. As I dressed
them up and knew their personalities, they started to talk. Then I
could write the story." Ms. Stevens likes us to learn about the
characters through her drawings. "When I draw characters, I like to exaggerate their personalities." You can see this in the very sleepy bear and the very energetic hare in Tops and Bottoms. Other books: The Tortoise and the Hare and Coyote Steals the Blanket

Campbell Geeslin grew up in western Texas. One of Mr. Geeslin's stories, How Nanita

The author of Elena's Serenade,
p. 384 of Vol. 2

Campbell Geeslin

Chris Van Allsburg says that in grade school other kids thought it was cool that he could

The author/illustrator of Two Bad Ants, p. 358 of Vol. 2

Chris Van Allsburg

Learned to Make Flan, has been made into an opera. Mr. Geeslin wrote the libretto (the words that are sung) for the opera. Other books: In Rosa's Mexico and On Ramón's Farm

draw. But in junior high, he stopped drawing. Learning how to
play football seemed more important. Thankfully, Mr. Van
Allsburg changed his mind. In college he took some art classes.
That decision changed his life. He loved his art so much that he
sometimes forgot his other classes. Other books: The Wreck of
the Zephyr and Just a Dream

Christopher Myers is an award-winning author and illustrator. He uses cut paper, photographs,

The author/illustrator of Wings, p. 16 of Vol. 2

Christopher Myers

wallpaper, woodcuts, and paint to illustrate his stories. Mr. Myers's
father, Walter Dean Myers, is a famous children's author. At first
Christopher helped his father by doing research for him. Then he
illustrated one of his father's books. Later, they worked as a team on a book. Now Mr. Myers writes and illustrates his own books. Other books: Fly and Black Cat