Oregon native and award-winning author (Newbery, Regina , Laura Ingalls Wilder and numerous state awards), Beverly Cleary, born on April 12th, 1916, recalled how difficult it was for her to learn to read in her autobiography, A Girl From Yamhill (1988). Once she began reading however, she read voraciously. A former children’s librarian, she began writing in the early 1950s, introducing many children to Henry Huggins, Ribsy, Beezus, Ramona and twins, Mitch and Amy. Her stories, illustrated by Louis Darling, were about “regular” children— children from happy homes. In addition, Cleary wrote fantasy (The Mouse on the Motorcycle) and teenage romances, which don’t hold up so well, and of course, the Newbery-winning Dear Mr. Henshaw (1984) a story which departed from her standard stories in that the main character’s parents are divorced. The main character works through his feeling in correspondence with his favorite author and in journal entries. This year, Ms. Cleary turns 90 and big celebrations are planned. Happy Birthday to an author who has brought great joy to many, many readers.