Robert Munsch
Encyclopedia
Robert Norman Munsch, CM
(born June 11, 1945) is an American
-born Canadian
children's author
.
. He graduated from Fordham University
in 1969 with a Bachelor of Arts
degree in history
and from Boston University
in 1971 with a Master of Arts
degree in anthropology
.
He studied to become a Jesuit priest, but decided he would rather work with children after jobs at orphanage
s and daycare
centers. In 1973, he received a Master of Education
in Child Studies from Tufts University
. In 1975 he moved to Canada to work at the preschool at the University of Guelph
in Guelph
, Ontario
. He also taught in the Department of Family Studies at the University of Guelph as a lecturer
and as an assistant professor. In Guelph he was encouraged to publish the many stories he made up for the children he worked with.
One of Munsch's best-known books, Love You Forever
was listed fourth on the 2001 Publishers Weekly
All-Time Best selling Children's Books list for paperbacks at 6,970,000 copies (not including the 1,049,000 hardcover copies). The Munsches have since become adoptive parents of Julie, Andrew, and Tyya.
Munsch has publicly talked about his bipolar disorder
and addiction issues. In August 2008, Munsch suffered a stroke that affected his ability to speak in normal sentences. He has recovered enough that he is able to perform live, but has put his writing career on hold until he is fully recovered. On May 15, 2010 Munsch revealed that he's been diagnosed as obsessive-compulsive and manic-depressive, and that he is a recovering cocaine addict and alcoholic.
His stories do not have a recurring single character, instead the characters are based on the children to whom he first told the story, including his own children. He often performs at children's festivals and appears at elementary school
s, sometimes unannounced. He is a bestselling author in both the stories. Some of his books were adapted into the cartoon series "Bunch of Munsch".
Munsch was made a Member of the Order of Canada
. On June 17, 2009, it was announced that Munsch would receive a star on Canada's Walk of Fame
in Toronto. The induction ceremony was held on September 12, 2009.
Order of Canada
The Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
(born June 11, 1945) is an American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
-born Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
children's author
Children's literature
Children's literature is for readers and listeners up to about age twelve; it is often defined in four different ways: books written by children, books written for children, books chosen by children, or books chosen for children. It is often illustrated. The term is used in senses which sometimes...
.
Personal life and career
Robert Munsch was born in Pittsburgh, PennsylvaniaPittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh is the second-largest city in the US Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Allegheny County. Regionally, it anchors the largest urban area of Appalachia and the Ohio River Valley, and nationally, it is the 22nd-largest urban area in the United States...
. He graduated from Fordham University
Fordham University
Fordham University is a private, nonprofit, coeducational research university in the United States, with three campuses in and around New York City. It was founded by the Roman Catholic Diocese of New York in 1841 as St...
in 1969 with a Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
degree in history
History
History is the discovery, collection, organization, and presentation of information about past events. History can also mean the period of time after writing was invented. Scholars who write about history are called historians...
and from Boston University
Boston University
Boston University is a private research university located in Boston, Massachusetts. With more than 4,000 faculty members and more than 31,000 students, Boston University is one of the largest private universities in the United States and one of Boston's largest employers...
in 1971 with a Master of Arts
Master of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
degree in anthropology
Anthropology
Anthropology is the study of humanity. It has origins in the humanities, the natural sciences, and the social sciences. The term "anthropology" is from the Greek anthrōpos , "man", understood to mean mankind or humanity, and -logia , "discourse" or "study", and was first used in 1501 by German...
.
He studied to become a Jesuit priest, but decided he would rather work with children after jobs at orphanage
Orphanage
An orphanage is a residential institution devoted to the care of orphans – children whose parents are deceased or otherwise unable or unwilling to care for them...
s and daycare
Day care
Child care or day care is care of a child during the day by a person other than the child's legal guardians, typically performed by someone outside the child's immediate family...
centers. In 1973, he received a Master of Education
Master of Education
The Master of Education is a postgraduate academic master's degree awarded by universities in a large number of countries. This degree in education often includes the following majors: curriculum and instruction, counseling, and administration. It is often conferred for educators advancing in...
in Child Studies from Tufts University
Tufts University
Tufts University is a private research university located in Medford/Somerville, near Boston, Massachusetts. It is organized into ten schools, including two undergraduate programs and eight graduate divisions, on four campuses in Massachusetts and on the eastern border of France...
. In 1975 he moved to Canada to work at the preschool at the University of Guelph
University of Guelph
The University of Guelph, also known as U of G, is a comprehensive public research university in Guelph, Ontario, Canada. It was established in 1964 after the amalgamation of Ontario Agricultural College, the Macdonald Institute, and the Ontario Veterinary College...
in Guelph
Guelph
Guelph is a city in Ontario, Canada.Guelph may also refer to:* Guelph , consisting of the City of Guelph, Ontario* Guelph , as the above* University of Guelph, in the same city...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
. He also taught in the Department of Family Studies at the University of Guelph as a lecturer
Lecturer
Lecturer is an academic rank. In the United Kingdom, lecturer is a position at a university or similar institution, often held by academics in their early career stages, who lead research groups and supervise research students, as well as teach...
and as an assistant professor. In Guelph he was encouraged to publish the many stories he made up for the children he worked with.
One of Munsch's best-known books, Love You Forever
Love You Forever
Love You Forever is a short book written by Robert Munsch and published in 1986. It tells the story of the evolving relationship between a boy and his mother. It was listed fourth on the 2001 Publishers Weekly All-Time Bestselling Children's Books list for paperbacks at 6,970,000 copies...
was listed fourth on the 2001 Publishers Weekly
Publishers Weekly
Publishers Weekly, aka PW, is an American weekly trade news magazine targeted at publishers, librarians, booksellers and literary agents...
All-Time Best selling Children's Books list for paperbacks at 6,970,000 copies (not including the 1,049,000 hardcover copies). The Munsches have since become adoptive parents of Julie, Andrew, and Tyya.
Munsch has publicly talked about his bipolar disorder
Bipolar disorder
Bipolar disorder or bipolar affective disorder, historically known as manic–depressive disorder, is a psychiatric diagnosis that describes a category of mood disorders defined by the presence of one or more episodes of abnormally elevated energy levels, cognition, and mood with or without one or...
and addiction issues. In August 2008, Munsch suffered a stroke that affected his ability to speak in normal sentences. He has recovered enough that he is able to perform live, but has put his writing career on hold until he is fully recovered. On May 15, 2010 Munsch revealed that he's been diagnosed as obsessive-compulsive and manic-depressive, and that he is a recovering cocaine addict and alcoholic.
Writing style
Munsch is known for his manic storytelling methods, with exaggerated expressions and acted voices. He makes up his stories in front of audiences and refines them through repeated tellings. He has said "It takes 200 tellings for a story to get good."His stories do not have a recurring single character, instead the characters are based on the children to whom he first told the story, including his own children. He often performs at children's festivals and appears at elementary school
Elementary school
An elementary school or primary school is an institution where children receive the first stage of compulsory education known as elementary or primary education. Elementary school is the preferred term in some countries, particularly those in North America, where the terms grade school and grammar...
s, sometimes unannounced. He is a bestselling author in both the stories. Some of his books were adapted into the cartoon series "Bunch of Munsch".
Awards and honours
In 19991999 in literature
The year 1999 in literature involved some significant events and new books.-Events:*June 19 - Stephen King is hit by a Dodge van while taking a walk. He spends the next three weeks hospitalized...
Munsch was made a Member of the Order of Canada
Order of Canada
The Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
. On June 17, 2009, it was announced that Munsch would receive a star on Canada's Walk of Fame
Canada's Walk of Fame
Canada's Walk of Fame , located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, is a walk of fame that acknowledges the achievements and accomplishments of successful Canadians...
in Toronto. The induction ceremony was held on September 12, 2009.
Publications
| Year | Title | Illustrator | ISBN |
| 1979 | Mud Puddle | Sami Suomalainen | ISBN 1550374680 |
| The Dark | Michael Martchenko Michael Martchenko Michael Martchenko is a Canadian illustrator best known for illustrating many of the stories of Robert Munsch.Born in France, he moved to Canada when he was seven, where he graduated from the Ontario College of Art... |
ISBN 1550374508 | |
| 1980 | The Paper Bag Princess The Paper Bag Princess The Paper Bag Princess is a children's book written by Robert Munsch and illustrated by Michael Martchenko. It was first published on 1 May 1980 by Annick Press. The book reverses the princess and dragon stereotype... |
ISBN 0920236162 | |
| 1981 | Jonathan Cleaned Up — Then He Heard a Sound | ISBN 0920236219 | |
| 1982 | Murmel Murmel Murmel | ISBN 155037012X | |
| The Boy in the Drawer | ISBN 0920303501 | ||
| 1983 | David's Father | ISBN 1550370111 | |
| 1984 | Mortimer | ISBN 0920303110 | |
| 1985 | Thomas' Snowsuit | ISBN 1554511151 | |
| 1986 | 50 Below Zero | ISBN 092023691X | |
| Love You Forever Love You Forever Love You Forever is a short book written by Robert Munsch and published in 1986. It tells the story of the evolving relationship between a boy and his mother. It was listed fourth on the 2001 Publishers Weekly All-Time Bestselling Children's Books list for paperbacks at 6,970,000 copies... |
Sheila McGraw | ISBN 0920668372 | |
| 1987 | I Have To Go! | Michael Martchenko | ISBN 092030351X |
| 1988 | Angela's Airplane | ISBN 0920236758 | |
| Millicent and The Wind | Suzanne Duranceau | ISBN 0920236936 | |
| 1989 | Giant; or Waiting for the Thursday Boat | Gilles Tibo | |
| Pigs! | Michael Martchenko | ISBN 1550373889 | |
| 1990 | Something Good Something Good Something Good is a music single by Bic Runga released in New Zealand, Australia , and the United Kingdom.In 2003, "Something Good" received the Best Solo Video award from Juice TV. The UK version of the single featured the music video for "Something Good".-Australian track listing:#"Something... |
ISBN 1550373900 | |
| 1991 | Good Families Don't | Alan Daniel | |
| Show and Tell | Michael Martchenko | ||
| 1992 | A Promise is a Promise (co-authored with Michael Kusugak Michael Kusugak Michael Arvaarluk Kusugak And stays in Vancouver Island in the winter. He is a Canadian children's writer and storyteller, who writes about Arctic and Inuit culture... ) |
Vladyana Krykorka | |
| Moira's Birthday | Michael Martchenko | ||
| Purple Green and Yellow | Hélène Desputeaux | ISBN 1554511135 | |
| 1994 | Where is Gah-Ning? | ||
| 1995 | From Far Away | Michael Martchenko | |
| 1996 | Get Me Another One | Shawn Steffler | |
| Stephanie's Ponytail | Michael Martchenko | ISBN 1554511143 | |
| 1997 | Alligator Baby | ||
| 1998 | Get Out of Bed | Alan Daniel & Lea Daniel | |
| The Fire Station | Michael Martchenko | ISBN 1550371711 | |
| Wait and See | |||
| 1999 | Andrew's Loose Tooth | ||
| We Share EVERYTHING! | |||
| 2000 | Aaron's Hair | Alan Daniel and Lea Daniel | |
| Mmm, Cookies | Michael Martchenko | ||
| 2001 | Up, Up, Down | ||
| 2002 | Makeup Mess | ||
| More Pies | |||
| Playhouse | |||
| Ribbon Rescue | Eugenie Fernandes | ||
| 2003 | Lighthouse | Janet Wilson | |
| Zoom | Michael Martchenko | ||
| 2004 | Boo! | ||
| Smelly Socks | |||
| 2005 | The Sandcastle Contest | ||
| 2006 | Deep Snow | ||
| I'm So Embarrassed! | |||
| No Clean Clothes | ISBN 0439937906 | ||
| 2007 | Class Clown | ||
| 2008 | Just One Goal | ISBN 0545990351 | |
| Look at Me! | |||
| 2009 | Down the Drain | ISBN 0545986001 | |
| Roar! | ISBN 0545980208 | ||
| 2010 | Put Me In A Book | ISBN 1443100803 | |
| Too Much Stuff! | |||
| 2011 | Moose! |
Compilations
| Year | Title | ISBN |
| 1998 | Munschworks, The First Munsch Collection | ISBN 978-1550375237 |
| 1999 | Munschworks 2, The Second Munsch Treasury | ISBN 978-1550375534 |
| 2000 | Munschworks 3, The Third Munsch Treasury | ISBN 978-1550376333 |
| 2001 | Munschworks Grand Treasury | ISBN 978-1550376852 |
| 2002 | Munschworks 4: The Fourth Munsch Treasury | ISBN 978-1550377668 |
| 2004 | Munsch More! | ISBN 978-0439961356 |
| 2007 | Much More Munsch! | ISBN 978-0439935715 |
| 2010 | Munsch Mini-Treasury One | ISBN 978-1554512737 |
| 2010 | Munsch Mini-Treasury Two | ISBN 978-1554512744 |