(855) 4-ESSAYS

Type a new keyword(s) and press Enter to search

Jane Yolen Biography


             Jane Yolen was born on February 11, 1939 in New York City and now lives in Hatfield, Massachusetts. Both of her parents were writers, so she always felt that writing was a way of life. She attended Smith College and received her master's degree in education from the University of Massachusetts in 1976. She is a distinguished author of more than 200 books, and when she is not writing, she composes songs, is a professional storyteller on the stage, and is the busy wife of a university professor, the mother of three grown children, and a grandmother. The best description of her writing is what she says about it herself: "I don't care whether the story is real or fantastical. I tell the story that needs to be told.".
             Yolen has been active in many organizations. She was on the Board of Directors of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, was president of the Science Fiction Writers of America from 1986 to 1988, is on the editorial board of several magazines, and was a founding member of the Western New England Storytellers Guild, the Western Massachusetts Illustrators Guild, and the Bay State Writers Guild. For twenty years, she ran a monthly writer's workshop for new children's book authors. .
             Jane Yolen has earned many awards over the years: the Regina Medal, the Kerlan Award, the World Fantasy Award, the Society of Children's Book Writers Award, the Mythopoetic Society's Aslan Award, the Christopher Medal, the Boy's Club Jr. Book Award, the Garden State Children's Book Award, the Daedalus Award, a number of Parents' Choice Magazine Awards, and many more. The Emperor and the Kite, which was a Caldecott Honor Book in 1983 for its intricate papercut illustrations by Ed Young, was based on Yolen's relationship with her late father, who was an international kite-flying champion. Owl Moon, winner of the 1988 Caldecott Medal for John Schoenherr's exquisite watercolors, was inspired by her husband's interest in birds.


Essays Related to Jane Yolen Biography


Got a writing question? Ask our professional writer!
Submit My Question