(Stanley Berenstain) OBITUARY NOTICE—See index for SATA sketch: Born September 29, 1923, in Philadelphia, PA; died of lymphoma, November 26, 2005, in Doylestown, PA. Illustrator and author. Along with his wife, Jan, Berenstain was the creator of the popular "Berenstain Bears" series of children's picture books. The Berenstains first met while attending classes in 1941 a…
Surname pronounced "Baht a-me"; born 1950, in Scranton, PA; Education: Hebrew University, Jerusalem, B.A., 1974; California State University, Los Angeles, M.A., 1980; University of Pittsburgh, Ph.D., 1989. Religion: Jewish. Hobbies and other interests: Research on multiple perspectives in American historical fiction and nonfiction for children, gardening, caring for the family'…
1936— Psychotherapist, social worker During the first 20 years of his life, Don Berrysmith encountered a broad range of the African-American experience. From segregated Louisiana to liberal, but largely white, Seattle, and from Texas boot camp to the bistros of Paris and Copenhagen, Berrysmith learned about racism from the overt to the subtle. In Europe, he also got a glimpse of another wor…
Born 1955, in Hamburg, Germany. Education: Studied illustration at Fachhochschule für Gestaltung, Hamburg, Germany. Agent—c/o Author Correspondence, Kane/Miller Book Publishers, P.O. Box 8515, La Jolla, CA 92038. Cartoonist, book illustrator, filmmaker and author. Films for children include Julie und das Monster, 1996, Die Königin der Farben (The Queen of Colors), 1997, and Gr…
Born 1957, in Nottingham, England; Education: High Pavement Grammar School, 1969-74. Religion: Buddhist. Hobbies and other interests: Reading, keeping fit, yoga. Agent—Elizabeth Roy, White Cottage, Greatford, Nr Stamford, Lincolnshire, PE9 4PR, England. Civil service worker in Nottingham, England, 1974-91; author, 1991—. Sir Gadabout, illustrated by Tony Ross, Dent Children's…
Born 1949, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Education: University of Toronto, B.A., 1971. Agent—c/o Author Mail, Tundra Books, 481 University Avenue, Suite 900, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5G 2E9. Full-time writer, 1982—. St. Michael's College Library, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Library assistant, 1971-78; Gardenshore Press, Toronto, pressman, 1978-81. Governor General's Liter…
Born 1948, in Brooklyn, NY; Education: Brooklyn College of the City University of New York, B.A. (magna cum laude), 1968; New York University, J.D., 1972. Office—Wealthbuilder, 406 Center St., South Orange, NJ 07079. Agent—Charlotte Sheedy, Charlotte Sheedy Literary Agency, Inc., 145 West 86th St., New York, NY 10024. Financial consultant, author, and attorney. Admitted to the bars o…
Nationality: British. Born: London, 1954. Education: Manchester University, B.A. (honors) in philosophy; Leicester Polytechnic, P.G.C.E.; University of London, M.A. (with distinction) in English. Career: Has held jobs as landscape gardener, mechanic, and carpenter; teacher for ten years. Awards: Commonwealth Writers prize, 1991, 1992; Lannan Literary Award, 1995. Agent: Lavinia Trevor, 6 The Glass…
Born 1958, in Amersham, England; immigrated to Australia, 1966; Australian citizen; Education: Swinburne Institute of Technology, diploma of art, 1978. Religion: Church of England (Anglican). Hobbies and other interests: Listening to and writing music. Agent—c/o Penguin Books Australia Ltd., 487 Maroondah Highway, P.O. Box 257, Ringwood, Victoria 3134, Australia. Worked in advertising at de…
Born 1937, in Smithfield, VA; Education: Attended University of North Carolina, 1955–57; New School for Social Research, B.A., 1959; Columbia University, M.A., 1962. Agent—c/o Author Mail, PeachTree Publishing, 1700 Chattahoochee Avenue, Atlanta, GA 30318-2112. New York Public Library, New York, NY, library clerk, 1957–59; New York Cancer Research Institute, New York, NY, sec…
1912-1988 Artist A master of technique best known for his collage and photomontage compositions, esteemed artist Romare Bearden consistently depicted African-American culture and experience in his work. His oeuvre reflects the influences of various art traditions and reveals themes common to many different cultures—themes of death, the family, religious ritual, and the beauty of natural lan…
1948— Corporate executive Bell, James A., photograph. AP/Wide World Photos. Reproduced by permission. Growing up in the working-class black community of south central Los Angeles, James Bell might have believed that the greatest success he could hope for was to land a steady job with the Post Office, like his father. Yet Bell recognized that an opportunity existed for another kind of…
Carmen Bermúdez is one of the highest-ranking Latina executives in the American financial-services industry. As founder and chief executive officer of Mission Management & Trust Co. in Tucson, Arizona, Bermúdez is considered a pioneer in the asset management sector, for hers was the first such company in the country to be owned by a minority woman. What makes Bermúdez&#…
Elsa Benitez: 1977—: Model. Mexican-born model Elsa Benitez graced the cover of Sports Illustrated's famous swimsuit issue in 2001. Her career seemed off to a promising start, but she took a break from the fast-paced fashion world to study acting and become a mother. She and her husband, former Miami Heat player Rony Seikaly, became parents to daughter Mila in 2003. Born in 1977,…
Born 1951, in Paris, TX; maiden name, Gwendolyn Battle-Lavert Dangerfield) Battle; Education: Paris Junior College, A. S. (elementary education), 1972; East Texas State University, B.S. (elementary education), 1974; Texas A & M University, M.Ed. (reading specialist certification), 1976; also attended Texarkana Community College, 1990, and Institute of Indiana State University, study …
Born 1958, in Denver, CO. Hobbies and other interests: Camping; reading; board and fantasy gaming. Agent—c/o Author Mail, Harper-Collins, 10 East 53rd St., New York, NY 10022. Part-time reference librarian; writer. Hilari Bell Best Books for Young Adults selection, American Library Association, and Best Book for the Teen Age selection, New York Public Library, 2002, both for A Matter…
1944- Art historian, educator Benjamin, Dr. Tritobia Hayes, photograph. Photo by Jarvis Grant. A distinguished art historian and champion of black artists, Tritobia Hayes Benjamin has been a member of the Art Department at Howard University since 1970. She was made full professor of art history in 1993 and is associate dean of the Division of Fine Arts and director of the Howard University Gallery…
children: Isobel, Tom. Agent—c/o Author Mail, Magi Publications/Little Tiger Press, 1 The Coda Centre, 189 Munster Rd., London SW6 6AW, England. Writer, beginning 1997. Formerly worked as a scientist. Portsmouth (England) Book Award shortlist, 2004, for The Copy Crocs. It's My Turn, illustrated by Elaine Field, Little Tiger Press (London, England), 2000, Tiger Tales (Wilton, CT), 20…
1973-2005 Actor, rapper Bentley, Lamont, photograph. UPN/Landov. Known for his charisma and talent, actor Lamont Bentley stole the hearts of television and movie viewers from the time he was a teen. Debuting on a 1986 Starburst commercial, the young actor went on to play bit parts in several television series and movies. His first recurring role came in 1994 on the short-lived, but critically accl…
See index for SATA sketch: Born November 22, 1914, in New York, NY; died December 18, 2003, in Tamarac, FL. Linguist and author. The grandson of the founder of the famous Berlitz language schools, Berlitz was a former president of Berlitz Publications who later became well known for his books on such bizarre topics as the Bermuda Triangle, Atlantis, UFOs, and secret military experiments. Learning …
Born 1962, in Kilmarknock, Ayrshire, Scotland; Education: Glasgow University, M.A. (honours). Agent—Caroline Walsh, David Higham Associates Ltd., 5-8 Lower John St., Golden Square, London W1F 9HA, England. Freelance writer. Formerly worked as a magazine editor and a primary school teacher in Barmulloch, Glasgow, Scotland. Two Writer's Bursaries, Scottish Arts Council; Angus Award sh…
Born 1995. Hobbies and other interests: Puppet making, traveling. Agent—c/o Author Mail, HK Portfolio, Mela Bolinao, 10 East 29th St., No. 40-G, New York, NY 10016. Illustrator. Artist-in-residence at Ottawa School of Art, Ottawa, Canada, and on various expeditions. Designer of textiles and greeting cards. Aesop's Fables, Bloomsbury (London, England), 1998. Bigger Smaller, David �…
Education: Attended college. Hobbies and other interests: Riding horses. Office—Bergsma Gallery 1301 Fraser St. #A6, Bellingham, WA 98229. Illustrator, author, designer, and figurative painter. Bergsma Gallery, Bellingham, WA, owner, beginning 1984; contractual artist for SeaWorld. Best Children's Book, Coalition of Visionary Retailers, and Best Children's Picture Book Award,…
Born 1942; Education: Illinois Wesleyan University, B.A., 1964; Illinois State University, M.A., 1966. Hobbies and other interests: Mythology, photography. Agent—c/o Author Mail, Holiday House, 425 Madison Avenue, New York, NY, 10017. Writer. Worked as a teacher of creative writing at a community college until 1976; aide to high school-aged, mentally handicapped students, Bloomington, IL, 1…
1963— Singer Belle, Regina, photograph. Frederick M Brown/Getty Images. Singer Regina Belle has dazzled critics and fans alike since her debut album, All By Myself, was released in 1987. Acclaimed as one of the most exciting new singers to emerge on the rhythm and blues scene, the New Jersey songstress boasts a style that recalls some of the most successful black pop female singers i…
Born 1955, in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia; Education: University of Queensland, B.A. and Dip.Ed., 1977. Michael Gerard Bauer Agent—c/o Author Mail, Omnibus Books/Scholastic Australia, 335 Unley Rd., Malvern, South Australia 5061, Australia. Writer and educator. Teacher of economics and English teacher in Brisbane and Ipswich, Queensland, Australia. Brisbane Writers Festival WriteSmall C…
Born 1955, in Morocco; Education: University of Toulouse, degree (psychology). Psychologist and writer. Child psychologist in private practice, Madrid, Spain, 1978–94; consultant in human resources, Madrid, 1988–94; Laredo Publishing/Renaissance House, Beverly Hills, CA, editorial director, 1995–2005; author. Caperucita roja y el lobo goloso (translation of "Little Red …
Born 1943, in Wellington, New Zealand; Education: University of Bristol, B.A. (with honors), 1966; London University, Certificate of Education, 1967; Edinburgh University, M.Litt., 1971. Religion: Church of England (Anglican). Hobbies and other interests: Chamber music, gardening. Office—c/o Author Mail, Macmillan Reference USA, 300 Park Ave. S., New York, NY 10010. Writer, 1980—. Be…
Born 1942, in Detroit, MI; stepdivorced; Education: Ohio State University, B.S., 1964, M.A., 1967, Ph.D., 1971. Religion: Lutheran. Hobbies and other interests: Reading, hiking, tennis, ice skating, traveling. Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. North American River Otters, KidHaven Press (San Diego, CA), 2002. The North American Beaver, KidHaven Press (San Diego, CA), 2002…
Born 1936, in Sudbury, Suffolk, England; Education: Somerville College, Oxford University, B.A., 1957; Oxford University, M.A., 1962. Hobbies and other interests: Breeding Birman cats, gardening, cooking. Freelance translator, adapter, and writer, 1958—. Judge, annual Schlegel-Tieck German translation prize in England. Translators Association (England). (Adapter) The Great Menagerie, Kestre…
Born 1942; Education: Wesleyan University, B.A., 1964; attended graduate school at Illinois State University, 1966. Hobbies and other interests: Mythology, photography. Writer. Worked as a teacher of creative writing at a community college until 1976; aide to high school-aged mentally handicapped students, Bloomington, IL, 1983-95. Writer-in-residence, Illinois secondary schools. "1995�…
Male. Education: Birmingham Polytechnic (illustration; first class), 1990. Agent—c/o Author Mail, Dutton's Children's Books, Dutton, Penguin Putnam, 375 Hudson St., New York, NY 10014. Illustrator and author of children's books. Freelance graphic artist. Mother Goose Award runner up, 1999, for Pinocchio; Kate Greenaway Medal shortlist, 2002, for Man on the Moon: A Day i…
Born 1951, in River Forest, IL; children: Jean. Agent—c/o Author Mail, Penguin Putnam Books for Young Readers, 345 Hudson St., New York, NY 10014. Author. Has also worked as an advertising and marketing salesperson, a writer for magazines and newspapers, and a screenwriter. Delacorte Prize for First Young Adult Novel, 1992, for Squashed; Top Ten Best Books for Young Adults selection, Americ…
Born 1938, in Marshall, MI; died of cardiovascular disease March 8, 1991, in Haverhill, MA; Education: University of Notre Dame, A.B., 1959; University of Chicago, M.A., 1960. Politics: Democrat. Hobbies and other interests: Archaeology, history, Dickens, wine-tasting, cheese, Latin, "trivia of all kinds." Freelance writer. College of St. Teresa, Winona, MN, instructor in English, 19…
Born 1962, in New York, NY; Education: Syracuse University, B.F.A. (with honors; illustration), 1984. Hobbies and other interests: Home renovation, reading, listening to music, bike riding, cats, movies. Editorial illustrator, New York, NY, 1984-91; writer and illustrator, New York, NY, 1991—. Exhibitions: Society of Illustrators Original Art show, 1992, 1994, 1997; Dairy Barn show, Athens…
Born 1961, in Hastings, England; Education: Attended Bexhill College, 1976-78; Eastbourne College of Art, diploma, 1983. Religion: Church of England (Anglican). Hobbies and other interests: Historic reconstruction. Illustrator of children's books, 1983—. Chartered Society of Designers (diploma member). Times Educational Supplement award for book illustration in the senior age group, …
Nationality: American. Born: New York City, 1933. Education: Brooklyn College, New York, 1951-55, A.B. 1955; Columbia University, New York, 1955-56, M.F.A. 1956; Stanford University, California, 1958-61, Ph.D. 1961. Military Service: Served in the United States Army, 1956-58. Career: Instructor, Stanford University, 1958-60; instructor, 1961-62, and assistant professor, 1962-64, Ohio State Univers…
Nationality: American. Born: Fort Benning, Georgia, 1945. Education: George Mason University, B.A. 1973; University of Iowa, M.F.A. 1975; also attended Northern Virginia Community College. Military Service: U.S. Air Force, survival instructor, 1966-69. Career: Worked as singer-songwriter and comedian; professor, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia, 1980—. Awards: National Endowment f…
(C. J. Anders, a joint pseudonym, Carrie Austen, Zoey Dean, a joint pseudonym) Born 1960, in Buffalo, NY; Education: University of Michigan, B.A. Religion: Jewish. Hobbies and other interests: Trave, theater, film, reading, cooking. Home and office—P.O. Box 150326, Nashville, TN 37215. Author, playwright, and syndicated columnist. Performer in Broadway, off-Broadway, and regional theater p…
Nationality: British. Born: Nina Mabey in London, 1925. Education: Ilford County High School; Somerville College, Oxford, B.A. 1946, M.A. 1951; Salzburg Seminar in American Studies, 1960. Career: Assistant, Town and Country Planning Association, 1946-47; Justice of the Peace for Surrey, 1968-76. Regular reviewer, Daily Telegraph, London. Awards: Guardian award, for children's book, 1976; Yo…
Nationality: American. Born: San Diego, California, 1951. Education: San Diego State College (now University), A.B. 1969. Career: Worked in bookstores, a planetarium, and as a freelance teacher in San Diego, California. Awards: Nebula Award (Science Fiction Writers of America), best novelette and best novella, 1984, best short story, 1987, best novel, 1994; Hugo Award, best novelette, 1986, best s…
Born 1927, in Brooklyn, NY; Education: Attended City College of New York (now City College of the City University of New York), 1944-45; Eastman School of Music, B.M., 1951; Columbia University, M.A., 1952; University of London, associate degree, 1965. City College (now City College of the City University of New York), New York, NY, lecturer, 1951-54; Plain-view (NY) High School, teacher of music,…
Nationality: American. Born: Washington, D.C., 1947. Education: American University, Washington, D.C., B.A. 1969; University of Connecticut, Storrs, 1970-72, M.A. 1970. Career: Visiting assistant professor, 1976-77, visiting writer, 1980, University of Virginia, Charlottesville; Briggs Copeland Lecturer in English, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 1977-78. Awards: Guggenheim fellowshi…
(Lisa Kroniuk) OBITUARY NOTICE— See index for SATA sketch: Born July 12, 1920, in Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, Canada; died of heart failure November 30, 2004, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Journalist, editor, broadcaster, and author. Berton enjoyed a varied career as a magazine editor, television panelist, and author of books—often on history—for both adults and children. Grad…
Also writes as Steve Dodge. Nationality: American. Born: Mount Vernon, New York, 1927. Education: Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 1943-47, B.A. 1947; Yenching University, Peking, 1947-48. Military Service: Served in the United States Marine Corps, 1945. Career: Instructor, Tsing Hua University, Peking, 1947-48; teaching fellow, Brandeis University, Waltham, Massachusetts, 1951-52; le…
Nationality: Northern Irish. Born: Belfast, Northern Ireland, 1926. Education: Attended St. Mary's Training College. Career: Teacher at primary schools in Belfast, Northern Ireland, 1945-56. Awards: Arts Award (Ireland Sunday Tribune), 1987. Agent: Nat Sobel, Nat Sobel Associates, Inc., 146 East 19th Street, New York, New York 10003, U.S.A. Mary Beckett's two collections of short st…
Born 1953, in Chico, CA; Education: Attended California State University, Chico, 1971–73; Reed College, B.A. (English literature), 1976. Freelance writer. Vermont College, Montpelier, member of faculty of MFA program in writing for children and young adults, beginning 2003. Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (regional advisor, Oregon chapter, 1990–92, 1993…
Nationality: British. Born: Sybille von Schoenebeck in Charlottenburg, Germany, 1911. Education: Privately in Italy, England, and France. Career: Worked as a law reporter: covered the Auschwitz trial at Frankfurt for the Observer, London, and the Saturday Evening Post, Philadelphia, 1963-65, and the trial of Jack Ruby at Dallas for Life, New York, 1964. Vice-president, PEN, 1979. Awards: Society o…
Born 1958, in Sheffield, England; Education: University of Nottingham, B.A. (with honors), 1980. Hobbies and other interests: Collecting books, comics, records, and CDs. Agent—Jennifer Luithlen, The Rowans, 88 Holmfield Rd., Leicester LE2 1SB, England. Worked variously as a street sweeper, conservation ranger, and credit union officer; teacher of English, drama, and media studies in Nottin…
Nationality: American. Born: Williamson County, Tennessee, 1957. Education: Princeton University, New Jersey, A.B. (summa cum laude) in English 1979; Hollins College, Virginia, M.A. 1981. Career: Writer-in-residence, Goucher College, Towson, Maryland, 1984-86, 1988-89; lecturer, YMHA Poetry Center, New York, 1984-86; visiting lecturer, University of Iowa Writers Workshop, Iowa City, 1987-88; lectu…
(Peter Bradford Benchley) Born 1940, in New York, NY; Education: Harvard University, A.B. (cum laude), 1961. Hobbies and other interests: Fishing, sharks, poker, theater, films, classical guitar. Office—Agent—International Creative Management, 40 West 57th St., New York, NY 10019. Novelist. Washington Post, Washington, DC, reporter, 1963; Newsweek, New York, NY, associate editor, 196…
Nationality: American. Born: Lachine, Quebec, Canada, 1915; grew up in Montreal; moved with his family to Chicago, 1924. Education: Tuley High School, Chicago, graduated 1933; University of Chicago, 1933-35; Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, 1935-37, B.S. (honors) in sociology and anthropology 1937; did graduate work in anthropology at University of Wisconsin, Madison, 1937. Military Se…
Born 1961, in Weymouth, MA; Education: Attended Art Institute of Boston, 1979–84. Office—P.O. Box 1447, Brockton, MA 02303-1447. Illustrator. Ski Town, Braintree, MA, sign maker, 1981–89; illustrator, 1989–. Has also taught drawing at Norman Rockwell Museum, Stockbridge, MA. Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, Picture Book Artist's Associ…
Also writes as Sterling Blake. Nationality: American. Born: Mobile, Alabama, 1941. Education: University of Oklahoma, B.S. 1963; University of California, San Diego, M.S. 1965, Ph.D. 1967. Career: Fellow, Lawrence Radiation Laboratory, Livermore, California, 1967-69, research physicist, 1969-71, consultant; assistant professor, University of California, Irvine, 1971-73, associate professor, 1973-7…
Nationality: British. Born: Stoke Newington, London, 1926. Education: Central School of Art and the Chelsea School of Art, London. Military Service: Served in the Oxford and Buckinghamshire Infantry, 1944-46. Career: Painter and drawing teacher, 1948-55; contributor, Tribune and New Statesman, both London, 1951-60; television narrator, About Time, 1985, and Another Way of Telling, 1989. Artist: ex…
Nationality: American. Born: Cincinnati, Ohio, 1924. Education: The University of Cincinnati, B.A. 1948; Columbia University, New York, 1950-51. Military Service: Served in the United States Army, 1943-46. Career: Librarian, Rand School of Social Science, New York, 1948-51; staff member, New York Times Index, 1951-52; associate editor, Popular Science Monthly, New York, 1952-54; film critic, Esqui…
Born 1957 in Moscow, ID; Education: Ricks College, Associate of Arts and Sciences, 1978; Brigham Young University, B.S., 1982; University of Washington, M.A., 1987. Religion: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormon). Office—Brigadoon Elementary School, 3601 SW 336th St., Federal Way, WA 98023. Writer. Brigadoon Elementary School, Federal Way, WA, librarian, 1987–. Societ…
Born 1957, in Queens, NY; Education: Attended Columbus College of Art and Design, 1974–76, and Philadelphia College of Art, 1979–81. Hobbies and other interests: Biking, guinea pigs, and gardening. Agent—c/o Author Mail, Henry Holt & Co. Children's Books, 115 W. 18th St., New York, NY 10011. Glassman Advertising Agency, Fairfield, NJ, assistant art director, 1977&#x…
1960– Sociologist, entertainer The halls of academia are not usually considered a breeding ground for comedians, but the intellectual environment of a major university inspired Bertice Berry and served as the first stage for her performing talents. Berry, who has done turns as a stand-up comedian, talk-show host, sociology lecturer, novelist, and gallery owner has devoted her talents to hel…
1951-2003 Actor Fred Berry, the portly actor best known for his comic turn as "Rerun" on the hit ABC sitcom What's Happening!! in the late 1970s, died in 2003 at the age of 52 in Los Angeles. Berry never returned to the stardom he attained early in his career, but became a minister and motivational speaker later in his life. One of his last roles was a cameo in the 2003 David …
Born 1960; two children. Agent—c/o Author Mail, University of Queensland Press, Staff House Rd., P.O. Box 6042, St. Lucia, Queensland 4067, Australia. Creative writing teacher and writer. Book of the Year designation, Children's Book Council of Australia (CBCA), for Rain May and Captain Daniel; CBCA Honour Book for Older Readers designation, and Australian Family Therapists' A…
Hobbies and other interests: Music, reading, traveling. Office—Starcatcher Press, 256 Tudor Circle, Ashland, OR 97520. Actor, film producer and director, and writer. Gathering at Bigfork (playwright conference), co-founder and director with husband, Malcolm Hillgartner; Where We Live Productions (film production company), co-founder and creative director, with Hillgartner; Starcatcher Pres…
