Famous Writers - The Greatest Writers of All Time Famous Writers Famous Writers admin | June 19, 2013 Authors and novelists, their lifetime’s work fill the library, public and private. These men and women draw from experiences and are able to tell us a story, fiction or non-fiction, that they weave from the treasury of their mind. Thanks to them, we learn, thanks to them, we are challenged to think. That is the gift authors, writers, and novelists have provided for us. Nationality: English Famous For: Bard of Avon, tragic & comedic plays Shakespeare is a very big name in the world of literature, virtually known to everyone who has been educated in English literature. Some of his works are Julius Caesar, Macbeth, Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet, Othello, King Lear and so many more. He wrote plays about romance, tragedies, and comedies. His Sonnets have also become poems well remembered. Nationality: American Famous For: The Raven Nevermore! Edgar Allan Poe and his work as a writer will never be equaled.

His famous works include Masque of the Red Death, The Cask of Amontillado, The Black Cat, The Pit and the Pendulum, and Murders in the Rue Morgue only to name a few. And who can forget his poetry such as Annabel Lee, Tamerlane, and The Raven. Nationality: German Famous For: Diary of Anne Frank The Diary of a Young Girl was actually a diary by Anne Frank. She chronicles her time in hiding during World War II before being taken to Nazi concentration camps. It is the only piece of literature she wrote, she died of typhus in 1945 at the age of 16. Nationality: Brazilian Famous For: The Alchemist Brazilian writer Paulo Coelho is known for his books entitled The Alchemist, Eleven Minutes, Veronika Decides to Die and many others. Sixty-five million copies of The Alchemist have sold worldwide and translated in 71 languages. Nationality: American Famous For: Carrie & The Shining When it comes to fantasy, horror, science fiction, and suspense novels, the name of Stephen King quickly comes to mind. He has written 200 short stories, fifty novels, and five non fiction books.

He is known for The Shining, Salem’s Lot, Carrie, Cujo, Miseryand even The Green Mile. Nationality: British Famous For: Harry Potter book series Joanne Rowling became a novelist over a seven year period. She is known for writing the Harry Potter series, the first of which is entitled Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone. Today, she writes novels for adults, The Casual Vacancy, a “tragicomedy.” Nationality: Irish Famous For: The Importance of Being Earnest The Importance of Being Earnest is considered Oscar Wilde’s masterpiece written for the stage. The lone novel he is known for is entitled The Picture of Dorian Gray. His last work was a poem entitled The Ballad of Reading Gaol. Nationality: American Famous For: The Cat in the Hat Rosetta Stone and Theo LeSieg are pen names used by Theodor Seuss Geisel, also known as Dr. Seuss. This writer of children books is best remembered for How the Grinch stole Christmas, Green Eggs and Ham, Horton Hears a Who, Horton Hatches the Egg and of course The Cat in the Hat.

Nationality: American Famous For: Adventures of Huckleberry Finn & Tom Sawyer Though he is known as Mark Twain, Samuel Langhorne Clemens is the author of Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, two great American classics. The first piece he wrote that gained him attention is entitled Jumping Frog of Calavera County. Other books he wrote include The Prince and the Pauper and A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court Nationality: English Famous For: Murder on the Orient Express Murder and mystery novels is synonymous to the name Agatha Christie. Her novels often revolve one with the other with the likes of Murder on the Orient Express, Death on the Nile and Evil Under the Sun. And who can forget the lead characters in her novels, “Hercule Poirot, Tommy & Tuppence, and Miss Jane Marple.” Nationality: American Famous For: The Old Man and the Sea One of America’s Nobel Prize recipients for literature is Ernest Hemingway. Many of his novels are considered classics, they include,For Whom the Bell Tolls, A Farewell to Arms, The Sun also Rises, and The Old Man and the Sea.

He also received a Pulitzer Prize award for fiction in 1953. Nationality: American Famous For: The Notebook & Message in a Bottle Hope and romance are themes the novels Nicholas Sparks have. Sparks first novel was The Notebook which was followed later by Message in a Bottle, A Walk to Remember, The Guardian, Nights in Rodanthe along with many other up and coming titles. His newest book, The Longest Ride is due to be released later in 2013. Nationality: English Famous For: Pride and Prejudice English romance writer Jane Austen and her novels often feature women and other romantic escapades. Austen is known for writing Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice, Emma, Mansfield Park and published after her death Northanger Abbey & Persuasion. Nationality: English Famous For: Great Expectations and A Christmas Carol Who can forget the characters created from the mind of Charles Dickens and his novels. Dickens’ work include such Victorian masterpieces like The Pickwick Papers, A Christmas Carol, David Copperfield, A Tale of Two Cities, Great Expectations and even Oliver Twist.

Nationality: Russian-American Famous For: Atlas Shrugged The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged were written by author Ayn Rand. She wrote another novel early in her career entitled We the Living in 1936. Prior to writing the first two books mentioned, she also wrote Night of January 16th and Anthem. Nationality: British Famous For: Charlie & the Chocolate Factory Considered one of the fifty greatest British writers post World War 2, Roald Dahl is known for writing children’s books. Among his memorable titles include Jack and the Giant Peach, Matilda, The Gremlins, and of course Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Dahl also wrote adult fiction, with two titles Sometime Never: A Fable for Supermen and My Uncle Oswald. Nationality: American Famous For: A Song of Fire and Ice Those familiar with the science fiction fantasy genre know who “GRRM” is, George R.R. Martin. His bestselling series of novels include A Song of Ice and Fire, the first of which is entitled A Game of Thrones then A Feast for Crows, and the latest A Dance with Dragons. Nationality: American Famous For: The Da Vinci Code Before the movie, there was the book.

Dan Brown’s novel The Da Vinci Code became popular that his other works became equally popular as well. He wrote Angels & Demons, The Lost Symbol, and his most recent one, Inferno. His earliest novel which published in 1998 is entitled Digital Fortress. Nationality: American Famous For: the “Twilight” series With her books translated in 37 languages and nearly 100 million printed, Stephenie Meyer is responsible for the Twilight series and that was the title of her first book. This was followed by three more, New Moon, Eclipse, and Breaking Dawn. Nationality: English Famous For: The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy English author and humorist Douglas Noel Adams is best remembered for his book “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.” His unfinished novel, The Salmon of Doubt was published in 2002. He also wrote The Meaning of Liff and The Deeper Meaning of Liff. Nationality: American Famous For: Moby Dick Moby Dick is Herman Melville’s greatest work as a novelist. His other novels include Redburn and White Jacket. The first book he published was a bestseller, Typee.

Nationality: American Famous For: The Colossus and Other Poems The genre brought about by Sylvia Plath was known as confessional poetry. Among her well known works include The Bell Jar, Ariel, and The Colossus and Other Poems, for which she received a Pulitzer Prize for poetry posthumously in 1982. Nationality: Italian Famous For: Divine Comedy A major force during the middle ages, Italian writer Dante Alighieri wrote Divine Comedy. In this book, sections of it have become as popular as the whole, Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. It is from these works that the reference to “Dante’s Inferno” comes from. Nationality: English Famous For: Orlando English author and essayist Virginia Woolf is viewed as one of the stalwarts of modernist writing. A Room of One’s Own, Orlando, To the Lighthouse, and Mrs. Dalloway are among her most famous works. She wrote nine novels along with a collection of six short stories. Nationality: English Famous For: The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings trilogy J.R.R. Tolkien is seen by many as the “father of modern fantasy literature”.

His best known novels begin with The Hobbit, The Silmarillion, and The Lord of the Rings. His writings has been described as “high fantasy.” Nationality: English Famous For: Animal Farm & 1984 Considered as one of the most influential visionaries among British writers, Eric Arthur Blair, also known as George Orwell, his writing still influence politics and modern culture to this day. His best known books include Animal Farm, Homage to Catalonia, and Nineteen Eighty Four. It is from these books we get the phrases “Orwellian”, “big brother”, and “Cold War” from. Nationality: French-Algerian Famous For: The Rebel French-Algerian author Albert Camus received a Nobel Prize in Literature. As a writer, he wrote five novels, numerous essays, a collection of short stories, and a handful of non-fiction books which include The Rebel. Included in his list of writings are The Stranger, Exile and the Kingdom, and The Myth of Sisyphus. Nationality: American Famous For: I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings American writer Maya Angelou has authored seven “autobiographical fiction” along with a bevy books of poetry and essays.

Her most notable book is entitled I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. Most of her writing revolves around the Civil Rights movement in America. Nationality: Greek Famous For: Iliad & the Odyssey No one really knows when Greek poet Homer lived, what is known is that his literary work are considered epic and have been a foundation in Western literature. He is best known for the Iliad and the Odyssey. Other works attributed to him include Capture of Oechalia, Little Iliad, and Epignoni. Nationality: French-Algerian Famous For: Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea The influence of French author Jules Verne on science fiction cannot be overlooked. It was he who wrote Around the World in 80 Days, Journey to the Center of the Earth, and of course, Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea. Along with two other authors, Verne has been referred to as the “Father of Science Fiction.” Nationality: German Famous For: The Metamorphosis Kafka authored many of his works in the German language. His most noted novel is entitled Die Verwandlung (a.k.a. The Metamorphosis). His other works include The Castle, Contemplation, and The Trial.

Nationality: Portugese Famous For: Message and The Book of Disquiet Heteronym is a literary style of writing attributed to Portuguese writer Fernando Pessoa. The Book of Disquiet and Message, which is presented in three parts, are two books considered as his most memorable. He also wrote essays that has been published as The New Portuguese Poetry Nationality: American Famous For: The Chronicles of Narnia Clive Staples Lewis’s name will always be linked to his most famous work of fiction, The Chronicles of Narnia. He also wrote other books, his first novel was entitled The Pilgrims Regress. Then there is Space Trilogy and The Screwtape Letters. He also wrote non-fiction which include, Mere Christianity, Miracles, The Problem of Pain, and . Nationality: American Famous For: Hell’s Angels:The Strange & Terrible Saga of the Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs Author and journalist Hunter Thompson is remembered internationally for his book Hell’s Angels:The Strange & Terrible Saga of the Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs. One of his books The Rum Diary, was written in the 60’s but was not published until 1998.

Other notable works by Thompson include, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas and a collection of articles entitled Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail. Nationality: American Famous For: Alex Cross series Mixing romance and mystery, James Patterson’s books have been propular reading over the years. These include Along Came a Spider, Kiss the Girls, The Big Bad Wolf and many others. Nationality: British-Indian Famous For: The Satanic Verses British writer Salman Rushdie received the Booker Prize in 1981 for his book Midnight’s Children. He gained international fame for his fourth novel, The Satanic Verses. He also wrote children’s books, Haroun and the Sea of Stories and Luka and the Fire of Life. Nationality: American Famous For: Bestselling author of 209 romance novels. Though her name is immediately associated with romance novels, Nora Roberts has also written suspense and fantasy novels. Some of her novels were written under pseudonyms, “Jill March, Sarah Hardesty, and J.D. Robb.” She is the author of Irish Thoroughbred, Night Moves, and the “In Death” series which includes her latest novel Thankless in Death under “J.D.

Robb.” Nationality: American Famous For: Percy Jackson & the Olympians American author Rick Riordan wrote the series Percy Jackson & the Olympians. His writing style caters to the detective, fantasy, and mythology genre. Titles of his other books include Heroes of Olympus, The Kane Chronicles, The Maze of Bones and the Tres Navarres adult series. Nationality: English Famous For: The Sandman When it comes dark fantasy and science fiction, the novels and work of Neil Gaiman often comes to mind. His first book, Good Omens was followed by Neverwhere, The Sandman, Coraline, and The Graveyard Book. He is known for his comic book series as well, Violent Cases and The Tragical Comedy or Comical Tragedy of Mr. Punch. Nationality: American Famous For: The Hunger Games Science fiction and fantasy are popular these days, Suzanne Collins and her best selling novels The Hunger Games triology and The Undeland Chronicles are evidence of that. Other books she has written include Fire Proof and When Charlie McButton series.

Nationality: French Famous For: The Three Musketeers and The Count of Monte Cristo History, romance and adventure, that was the forte of French writer Alexandre Dumas. It was he who wrote The Count of Monte Cristo and The Three Musketeers. His other adventure novels include The Conspirators and The Corsican Brothers. Nationality: American Famous For: White Fang Adventure in the wild, these were the subject of novelist Jack London. In his books White Fang and The Call of the Wild he sets these two books during the Alaskan gold rush. He also wrote The Sea-Wolf, Martin Eden, and The Iron Heel. Nationality: German Famous For: Steppenwolf Nobel Prize winner and author Hermann Hesse is noted for his books The Glass Bead Game, Siddhartha, and Steppenwolf. His other works include Journey to the East and Klingsor’s Last Summer Nationality: Irish Famous For: Ulysses and Dubliners Viewed as an influence in modern writing during the 20th century, Irish author,James Joyce is remembered for Ulysses and Dubliners. He also wrote Finnegans Wake and A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man.

Nationality: American Famous For: How to Win Friends and Influence People How to books have been popular, Dale Carnegie capitalized on that by publishing How to Win Friends and Influence People which continues to be a bestseller to this day. His other books include How to Stop Worrying and Start Living and Lincoln the Unknown. He co authored books with other writers, one such book is Art of Public Speaking. Nationality: American Famous For: The Great Gatsby One of the greatest of American writers, Francis Scott Key Fitzgerald and his novels captured readers by storm. His most memorable book is The Great Gatsby which has been made into a movie several times over. In addition to the “Gatsby,” Fitzgerald wrote Tender is the Night, The Beautiful and the Damned, This Side of Paradise, and The Love of the Last Tycoon which was published after his death. Nationality: American Famous For: The Grapes of Wrath First a Pulitzer in 1940, then a Nobel Prize in ’62, these represent the quality that American novelist John Steinbeck represents. He authored six non fiction books, five short stories, and sixteen novels. His Pulitzer Prize winning novel was The Grapes of Wrath.

Before that he wrote In Dubious Battle and Of Mice and Men, and then East of Eden, all of which are popular to this day. Nationality: Russian Famous For: Nightfall This was what Isaac Asimov is known for hard science fiction, beginning with his Foundation Series which was later followed by The Robot Series (I, Robot and Bicentennial Man) and Nightfall which was voted as the best science fiction book in 1964. Nationality: American Famous For: On the Road Before the hippie movement, there was American writer Jack Kerouac. Sadly, his literary talent was not recognized until his death. His books include Big Sur, On the Road, The Sea is My Brother, Doctor Sax, Visions of Cody, The Dharma Burns, and Desolation Angels to name a few. All of these are in print. Nationality: Japanese Famous For: 1Q84 Whether it is fiction or non-fiction, the talent of Haruki Murakami is evident through his novels which include 1Q84, Hear the Wind Sing, Norwegian Wood, Sputnik Sweetheart, and Kafka on the Shore. He also has written short stories and essays.

Nationality: American Famous For: Infinite Jest His novel Infinite Jest was recognized as part of of the top 100 novels (in English) by Time magazine. Included in his body work are The Broom of the System and the unfinished The Pale King which was published “as-is,” after his death. Nationality: Chinese Famous For: The Art of War Chinese General Sun Tzu and his book The Art of War have influenced many military men over the centuries. The book provides approaches on how to win a battle and “manage conflicts.” Many nations have endorsed the reading of this book to their armed forces. Theodor Geisel - Dr Seuss Theodor Geisel - Dr Seuss You're Reading a Free Preview Pages 4 to 40 are not shown in this preview. You're Reading a Free Preview Pages 44 to 95 are not shown in this preview. You're Reading a Free Preview Pages 99 to 113 are not shown in this preview.

The 25 best children's books - Telegraph Book news The 25 best children's books From classics to modern day tales of magic, here are 25 stories that have delighted young readers for more than a century Image 1 of 12 Since The Very Hungry Caterpiller, Eric Carle he has illustrated more than 70 books Photo: PENGUIN AA Milne's Winnie the Pooh had a penchant for honey Harry Potter author JK Rowling earns £3m a week Photo: Jonathan Lodge Image 1 of 12 Babar in the bath from The Story of Babar by Jean de Brunhoff. First published 1931 Mr Toad and friends in Kenneth Grahame's Wind in the Willows Enid Blyton and her two daughters 'Roald the Rotten': Roald Dahl By Martin Chilton , Digital Culture Editor 4:57PM GMT 18 Nov 2010 TREASURE ISLAND (1883) By R.L.

Stevenson (13 November 1850 - 3 December 1894) Scottish writer Stevenson’s swashbuckling story is the source of most popular perceptions of pirates, including “X marks the spot” treasure maps and one-legged seamen with shoulder-perched parrots. Inspired by a map drawn by Stevenson’s stepson, the tale sees the young Jim Hawkins pit his wits against the dastardly Long John Silver in a race to discover Captain Flint’s hidden treasure. With more than 74 film, television, stage and radio adaptations to its name, Treasure Island is one of the most frequently dramatised novels of all time. Quote:"Fifteen men on the dead man's chest- Yo-ho-ho, and a bottle of rum!

Drink and the devil had done for the rest- Yo-ho-ho, and a bottle of rum!" THE TALE OF PETER RABBIT (1902) By Beatrix Potter (28 July 1866 - 22 December 1943) Related Articles Why Enid Blyton's Famous Five are back 17 Sep 2010 Originally written in 1893 for Noel Moore, the five-year-old son of Potter’s former governess, this family favourite was reworked and privately printed by Potter in 1901 following several rejections from publishers. The story, which describes the perilous adventures of rebellious Peter Rabbit in Mr McGregor’s garden, has sold more than 45 million copies, been translated into 36 languages and spawned a hoard of merchandise. Quote: "Don't go into Mr. McGregor's garden: your Father had an accident there; he was put in a pie by Mrs.

McGregor." WIND IN THE WILLOWS (1908) By Kenneth Grahame (8 March 1859 - 6 July 1932) Since its first publication, this tale of friendship and moral growth has been issued in more than 100 editions, with annual sales figures reaching the hundreds of thousands. Told in Grahame’s glorious prose, the story follows Mole (lonely and miserable, who has been cleaning his home), Ratty and Badger as they live a life of picnics and playing by the river. Until, that is, they decide to help Toad mend his reckless ways. Prison breaks and car chases ensue, culminating in a battle for Toad Hall. Quote: "There is nothing - absolutely nothing - half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats." THE RAILWAY CHILDREN (1906) By E.

Nesbit (15 August 1858 – 4 May 1924) When their father is wrongfully imprisoned for selling state secrets to the Russians, Roberta, Peter and Phyllis move with their mother to a house by the railway for a life of make-do and mend in the country. Watching the trains for their father’s return, the children’s new-found resourcefulness is put to use preventing a derailment and saving an injured cross-country runner. A stage adaptation of the story was performed at the National Railway Museum in to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the celebrated film after the book. Quote: "I don't think we're going to enjoy being poor, you know, being cold and all that." PETER PAN (1911) By J.M. Barrie (9 May 1860 - 19 June 1937) Originally a successful stage play called Peter Pan, or The Boy Who Wouldn’t Grow Up, Barrie’s novel - originally called Peter and Wendy - follows the adventures of the Darling children as they are taken to the island of Neverland by the mischievous and eternally young Peter Pan.

There, they encounter fairies, Indians, mermaids and Peter Pan’s arch nemesis, Captain Hook. In 1929, Barrie bequeathed all rights to the book to Great Ormond Hospital, but they expired in 2007, leaving the hospital searching for a new literary benefactor. Quote: "All children, except one, grow up." WINNIE-THE-POOH (1926) By A.A. Milne (18 January 1882 – 31 January 1956) Adapted from a collection of Milne’s stories, which were first published in magazines such as Punch, the story follows Christopher Robin’s teddy bear as he adventures in the Hundred Acre Wood with his friends Piglet, Owl, Rabbit and Eeyore. The book has been translated into many languages, including Latin (Winnie ille Pu) in 1958, and, thanks in large part to a rights deal with Disney, the character of Winnie is now worth £500 million a year. The Silly Old Bear, with his friends in Hundred Acre Wood, is more than a British institution. A.A.

Milne created a life philosophy with the trials, triumphs and tiddley-poms of the honey-loving, always kind-hearted Pooh. Quote: "It is more fun to talk with someone who doesn't use long, difficult words but rather short, easy words like 'What about lunch?'" SWALLOWS AND AMAZONS (1930) By Arthur Ransome (18 January 1884 - 3 June 1967) Inspired by a summer spent teaching his friends’ children to sail, Ransome’s tale of Lakeland adventures follows the Walker and Blackett children. Meeting one summer on Wildcat Island, the children form an alliance against the Blacketts’ irritable Uncle Jim, whom they believe to be a retired pirate. After days spent sailing, camping and fishing and drinking ginger beer, the allies hatch a plan to seize Uncle Jim’s houseboat and force him to walk the plank.

Quote: "Grab a chance and you won’t be sorry for a might-have-been." BABAR (1931) Jean de Brunhoff (December 9, 1899 - October 16, 1937) Originally published in oversized volumes with cursive writing and the author’s wonderful sprawling watercolour paintings, the English language version of Brunhoff’s Histoire de Babar immediately captured the interest of British children. Babar brings clothes and cars (and Madame) from Paris - where he has been educated - and readers follow him home to his African kingdom. He is crowned King and transforms the elephant kingdom into a Westernised civilisation. With his family and the wise Cornelius by his side, Babar protects his land from the Rhino King The stories were adapted into an animated television series, which ran from 1989 to 1991 with 13 additional episodes aired in 2000.

Quote: "Does everything have to mean something?" THE FARAWAY TREE (1943) By Enid Blyton (11 August 1897 – 28 November 1968) First published during World War II, the series follows three young children, Jo, Bessie and Fanny, who discover an enormous magical tree in an enchanted forest and befriend the creatures that live among its branches. With a band of new pals including Moon-face, The Saucepan Man and Mr Watzisname, the children embark on various adventures in the magical lands lurking at the top of the tree. Unsurprisingly, the Lands of Birthdays, Goodies and Do-As-You-Please became particular favourites with young readers. The titles in the series are The Enchanted Wood (1939), The Magic Faraway Tree (1943), The Folk of the Faraway Tree (1946) and Up the Faraway Tree (1951). Quote: "I expect I shall find it rather dull here after living in Londo. It seems so quiet.

I shall miss the noise of buses and trams." THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE (1950) C.S. Lewis (29 November 1898 - 22 November 1963) Set during World War II, when four children - Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy Pevensie - are evacuated from London in 1940 to escape the Blitz. They are sent to live with Professor Digory Kirke, who lives in a country house in the English countryside. During a game of hide-and-seek, Lucy looks into a wardrobe and discovers a portal to a mysterious world called Narnia, Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy discover the land of Narnia and the malevolent White Witch. The novel uses Christian iconography in Aslan's dramatic sacrifice and resurrection. Edmund's transition from self-interested schoolboy to heroic young man is also resonantly spiritual.

Quote: "Have you forgotten the Deep Magic?" THE LORD OF THE RINGS (1954) By J.R.R Tolkein (3 January 1892 - 2 September 1973) Tolkien’s epic story of the battle for Middle-Earth has captivated readers over half a century, selling approximately 150 million copies and spawning an Oscar-nominated trilogy of films that are among the highest grossing of all time. The three-volume tour de force follows Frodo the hobbit and his loyal protectors as they journey to Mount Doom to destroy a dangerous and powerful ring, forged by the Dark Lord Sauron to rule all of Middle-Earth. The books have brought fantasy to a mainstream literary audience, making Frodo one of the greatest fictional heroes of all time. Quote: "The hearts of men are easily corrupted... And the ring of power has a will of its own.” THE CAT IN THE HAT (1957) by Dr Seuss (March 2, 1904 – September 24, 1991) Theodor Seuss Geisel was a writer and cartoonist who published 44 children's novels.

Perhaps the most famous was about his tall, anthropomorphic, mischievous cat, sporting a tall, red and white-striped hat and a red bow tie. He also carries a pale blue umbrella. With the series of Beginner Books that The Cat inaugurated, Numerous adaptations of his work have been created, including eleven television specials, three feature films, and a Broadway musical and Seuss was a great advocate of the fun of reading for children. Quote: "Look at me! Look at me! Look at me NOW! It is fun to have fun. But you have to know how." WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE (1963) By Maurice Sendak (born June 10, 1928) Initially a critical failure and even banned in some libraries, this book went on to sell more than 19 million copies. The story centres on a lonely and temperamental boy, Max, who, having been sent to bed without dinner, imagines a sea in his bedroom and sets sail to the land of the wild things where he quickly becomes King. In 2009, the story was made into a live-action feature film by acclaimed director Spike Jonze.

Quote: "I have a sadness shield that keeps out all the sadness, and it's big enough for all of us." CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY (1964) By Roald Dahl (13 September 1916 - 23 November 1990) Originally called “Charlie’s Chocolate Boy” and featuring 10 horrid children who won tickets to the weekly Wonka’s Factory visit, the fudge-filled fantasy was totally rewritten after a damning review from the author’s nephew. The tale follows the lucky winners of five golden tickets — four obnoxious brats and poor but polite Charlie Bucket — as they explore Willy Wonka’s fantastical factory and (unbeknown to them) are tested to see who should take over his booming business. The book was adapted into two major motion pictures: Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory in 1971, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory in 2005. The book's sequel, Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator, was written by Roald Dahl in 1972. Dahl had also planned to write a third book in the series, but never finished it.

Quote: “So much time, and so little to do! Strike that, reverse it.” THE TIGER WHO CAME TO TEA (1968) By Judith Kerr (born 14 June 1923) A young girl, Sophie, and her mother find their afternoon snack interrupted by an insatiable tiger who drinks all of their tea and eats every last morsel in the house. Hoping their greedy friend will pay them another visit, the pair buy a huge tin of tiger food but, sadly, he never returns. Today, the story has scores of fans, including more than 20,000 fans who have declared their adoration on the social networking site, Facebook. Quote: "Once there was a little girl called Sophie, and she was having tea with her mummy in the kitchen.

Suddenly there was a ring at the door." THE VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR (1969) By Eric Carle (born June 25, 1929) First published in 1969, Carle’s story follows our ravenous, furry hero as he munches his way through plums, pickles, Swiss cheese, salami, melon and more before finally pupating into a beautiful butterfly. Carle’s mouth-watering illustrations have made this quirky story a bedtime staple, and 10,000 children still write to Carle every year. It has been translated into more than 50 languages and its sales have now surpassed the 30 million mark. The book was inspired by a hole puncher, as Carle recalled: "One day I was punching holes with a hole puncher into a stack of paper, and I thought of a bookworm and so I created a story called 'A Week with Willi the Worm'. Then my editor suggested a caterpillar instead and I said 'Butterfly!' That's how it began." Quote: "In the light of the moon a little egg lay on a leaf.

One sunny Sunday, the caterpillar was hatched out of a tiny egg. He was very hungry. On Monday, he ate through one apple." MR MEN (1971) Roger Hargreaves (9 May 1935 - 11 September 1988) Intended for very young readers, the Mr Men books comprised 48 books in all and they joined later by a series of 42 Little Miss books. With silly stories, bright-coloured, boldly drawn illustrations, they have been part of popular culture for over 25 years, with sales over 100 million worldwide in 15 languages. Among the funniest character were Mr Forgetful, Mr Fussy, Mr Lazy and Mr Grumpy - not forgetting Little Miss Chatterbox and Little Miss Trouble. And, of course, Mr Happy. Quote: "I am really very happy" WATERSHIP DOWN (1972) By Richard Adams (born 9 May 1920) Thirteen publishers rejected Adams’s first novel before Rex Collings Ltd took it on in 1972.

Since then it has become one of Penguin’s best-selling books of all time, with sales surpassing five million. Something of a rabbit’s odyssey, and drawing on Homeric and Virgilian quest themes, the novel recounts a group of rabbits’ epic journey from their endangered warren to their new home in Watership Down, facing perils and temptations along the way Quote: "I think we ought to do all we can to make these creatures friendly. It might turn out to be well worth the trouble." THE BFG (1982) By Roald Dahl (13 September 1916 - 23 November 1990) The BFG (short for "Big Friendly Giant") is written by Roald Dahl and illustrated by Quentin Blake. The story is about a little girl named Sophie, a name inspired by the author's granddaughter Sophie Dahl, who lives in an orphanage but is befriended by a giant. Together they stop a group of human-eating giants. Because he refuses to eat people, the BFG has survived on a repulsive vegetable known as a snozzcumber.

An animated film based on the book was released in 1989 with David Jason providing the voice of the BFG. Quote: “All human beans is having different flavours. Human beans from Panama is tasting very strong of hats.” DEAR ZOO (1982) By Rod Campbell (born 1945) In the past 30 years, Dear Zoo has become firmly established as a classic for the under five’s. To celebrate the 25th anniversary, Rod Campbell, a Scottish writer and illustrator with a doctorate in organix chemistry, refreshed the original artwork to give Dear Zoo an updated and fresh look. Dear Zoo is a "lift the flap book" about, in case you hadn't guessed, a letter to the zoo from a child who wants a pet. Quote: "Elephant! He was too big. I sent him back." WE'RE GOING ON A BEAR HUNT (1989) By Michael Rosen (born 7th May 1946) An illustrated tale of a family who go searching through the long wavy grass, the thick oozy mud and the swirling, whirling snowstorm in search of a bear.

A classic picture book, combining the words of poet and writer Michael Rosen with the illustrations of Helen Oxenbury. Quote: "We're going on a bear hunt. We're going to catch a big one. What a beautiful day!" THE STORY OF TRACY BEAKER (1991) By Jacqueline Wilson (born 17 December 1945) First published in 1991 and since adapted into a long-running BBC children’s series, Wilson’s award-winning “autobiography” of 10-year-old rebel Tracy Beaker was the most borrowed title of the past decade. Placed in The Dumping Ground (a children’s residential care home) as a result of domestic violence, Beaker misses her mother terribly and uses her autobiography to chart her imagined “mistreatment” in the home and plot revenge on her enemies.

Quote: "Your dress looks like a frilly custard." HIS DARK MATERIALS (1995) By Philip Pullman (born 19 October 1946) Despite being voted Britain’s third best-loved read in the BBC’s 2003 poll, Pullman’s fantasy trilogy - comprising Northern Lights (1995), The Subtle Knife (1997), and The Amber Spyglass (2000) - has caused much controversy, most notably for its alleged negative portrayal of organised religion. Pullman himself declared the books were about 'killing God'. An inversion of Milton’s Paradise Lost, the books trace the coming-of-age of Lyra Belacqua (a girl from Oxford) and Will Parry as they wander through a series of parallel worlds and become caught up in an epic war between the theocratic governing body, the Magisterium, and those whom it oppresses. Quote: "I stopped believing there was a power of good and a power of evil that were outside us.

And I came to believe that good and evil are names for what people do, not for what they are." HARRY POTTER series (1997-2007) By J.K. Rowling (born 31 July 1965) Since the release of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone in 1997, JK Rowling’s record-breaking fantasy series has been translated into 67 languages and sold more than 400 million copies worldwide, making it one of the highest-selling series in history. Children and adults alike remain transfixed by half-blood Harry, haphazard Ron Weasley and overachieving Hermione Granger as they struggle to stop Lord Voldemort conquering the Wizarding and Muggle worlds. The Potter phenomenon has its detractors, but the success of special 'grown-up' covers, allowing commuters to read Rowling without shame, tells its own tale. Quote: "We do not speak his name! The wand chooses the wizard, Mr.

Potter." THE GRUFFALO (1999) By Julia Donaldson (born 16 September 1948) Children watch in awe as a cunning mouse navigates the deep, dark forest, fending off dangerous characters such as fox and snake with tales of his monstrous (and imaginary) friend, the Gruffalo. Written in rhyming couplets and accompanied by Axel Scheffler’s now iconic illustrations, The Gruffalo has sold more than 10.5 million copies, been adapted for stage in both the West End - with a new show in December 2010 - and Broadway, and has also been made into a 30-minute animated film. Quote: "Who is this creature with terrible claws and terrible teeth in his terrible jaws?"

Question: Which famous American author who lived from 1904 to 1997 had the first christan name Theodor and the surname Geisel ?
Answer: DR SEUSS