June 18th

June 18th

It's the birthday of children's author and illustrator, Chris Van Allsburg (1949). Two of his books have been made into movies, Jumanji and The Polar Express. His first art medium was sculpture but began illustrating his own books when his wife, an elementary teacher at the time, showed his illustrations of his sculptures to a friend. He converted to Judaism 34 years ago when he married and said that he was still able to maintain a Jewish home even while doing The Polar Express. His illustrations are noted for showing that strange things can happen in very wonderful ways. His wife, Lisa, started a company selling Judaica based on designs she and her siblings saw in old synagogues in Europe. www.forgottenjudaica.com

It's the birthday of children's author and illustrator, Pat Hutchins (1942). She is known for her bright, bold colors and easily accessible stories for young children.

We missed the birth anniversary yesterday of Igor Stravinsky (1882-1971) although one web site listed his birthday as the 18th. He shares with Jimi Hendrix the distinction of reharmonizing the Star Spangled Banner except that Stravinsky got arrested for it in 1940. I don't think Jimi did at Woodstock. Stravinsky sometimes gets confused with Igor Sikorsky who paved the way for Army Rangers to jump out of helicopters and catch squirrels for dinner.