Aileen L. Fisher
Aileen L. Fisher was a prominent American author born in 1906 in Michigan, known for her contributions to children's literature. Growing up in a modest environment, her mother's role as a kindergarten teacher and Fisher's love for outdoor exploration significantly influenced her writing career. She studied journalism at the University of Missouri, where she began publishing poetry, with her first poem appearing in 1927. Fisher's professional journey included roles such as director of the Women's National Journalistic Register and freelance work in Colorado, where she continued to write. Her first book, "The Coffee-Pot Face," was published in 1933, and she went on to create a body of work that resonated with children's perspectives on nature and curiosity. Throughout her career, Fisher received recognition for her poetry, including the National Council of Teachers of English Award for Excellence in Poetry for Children in 1978. Her ability to capture the beauty of the world through the eyes of children remains a hallmark of her literary legacy, which continued to inspire until her passing in 2002.
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Aileen L. Fisher
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- Born: September 9, 1906
- Birthplace: Iron River, Michigan
- Died: December 2, 2002
- Place of death: Boulder, Colorado
Biography
Aileen Lucia Fisher began her life in 1906 in Michigan. Her father was a businessman and her mother was a kindergarten teacher. Her youth was modest and free. Her days were filled with adventure, as she spent most of her time exploring nature. Her mother’s career in teaching children and Aileen Fisher’s experiences outdoors would eventually effect her decision to write children’s books.
In 1923, Fisher enrolled at the University of Chicago, where she would study for two years. She earned a degree in journalism in 1927 at the University of Missouri. Within the same year, Fisher’s first published poem, “Otherwise,” appeared in Child Life magazine.
By 1928, Fisher had been living in Chicago for a year, and was director of the Women’s National Journalistic Register. She remained in Chicago for five years. During that time, she worked diligently on poems for children. Two of those years, Fisher worked for the Labor Bureau of the Middle West. Eventually Fisher moved to Colorado, where she could enjoy the clear skies of the country while embarking on freelance work. In 1933, she published her first book, The Coffee-Pot Face.
Fisher continued to write successful books and poetry. Her work appeared in several publications. In 1978, Fisher received the National Council of Teachers of English Award for Excellence in Poetry for Children. Many of her books have been chosen as Junior Library Guild selections. Her books include In One Door and out the Other: A Book of Poems, Feathered Ones and Furry, and Up, up the Mountain.
Fisher speaks to children in her work. Her words reflect a unique understanding of how children view the mysteries of nature. Fisher exposes the beauty that surrounds our world in a way that is often ignored by the busy adult world. Her poems reach out to the curiosity of children. She continued to enhance the imaginations of children until she died in 2002.