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Cookie lover Nancy Carlson was born October 10th in Edina, Minnesota. Since kindergarten she knew what she wanted to do when she grew up: “Make pictures and tell stories!” And indeed she has done just that. To date, Nancy has written over 60 children’s books. Many of her characters are not perfect. She creates characters such as Henry in I Don’t Like to Read, who has trouble with letters and words, and Philip, who is confined to a wheelchair and teased in Annie and the New Kid, encouraging young readers to be brave and solve their own problems.
Nancy attended Minneapolis College of Art and Design and graduated with a major in printmaking. While working at Minneapolis’ Walker Art Center she became interested in children’s books … and the rest is history. Nancy not only writes stories but also draws many of the illustrations. Nancy’s advice for young people who want to become authors or illustrators is: “Write a lot, everyday in fact. Write what you know. Know everything about your character. Last piece of advice…read a lot! ”
Carlson has received many awards during her career: Reading Rainbow selections, the Children's Choice Award from the International Reading Association and Children's Book Council, the Minnesota Children's Museum Great Friends to Kids Award, and the Kerlan Award are just a few.
Traveling across the United States, Nancy visits over 150 school classrooms every year, reading and drawing for her fans.
Nancy and her husband and three children live in Minnesota with their dog, Lily.
—Terri DeGezelle |
