March/April 2016 Horn Book

Ever since I read the recent Horn Book tribute to Beverly Cleary, my friend and colleague Eliza T. Dresang has been in my mind. Now that the 100th anniversary of Beverly Cleary's birth is being celebrated, I'm thinking of both of these amazing women. Perhaps Eliza is most widely known for her groundbreaking book Radical Change: Books for Youth in a Digital Age (H.W. Wilson, 1999.) Ten years later Eliza was named the Beverly Cleary Professor for Children and Youth Services at the University of Washington. Eliza told me that Beverly Cleary was thrilled about that faculty position in her name. The feeling was definitely mutual, and they were together several times in person. We know Eliza gave a talk in 2009 titled "Ramona Quimby Growing Up Digital." We're also aware that Eliza frequently spoke informally of and was often quoted about Beverly Cleary. We're certain Eliza had made substantial plans to develop a Beverly Cleary biography. Eliza's death two years ago meant that Cleary fans and others will never have the opportunity to gain insights about Beverly Cleary's life and works based upon Eliza T. Dresang's unique perspective.

Ginny Moore Kruse, Director Emeritus
Cooperative Children's Book Center (The CCBC)
School of Education, University of Wisconsin