Bernard Waber
Bernard Waber was an influential American picture book author and illustrator born on September 27, 1924, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Initially pursuing a career in finance, Waber shifted his focus to art after serving in the army during World War II. He honed his skills at the Philadelphia Academy of Art and the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts before marrying Ethel Bernstein and raising three children. Waber began his professional journey as a commercial artist, contributing to notable publications such as Seventeen and Life magazines, but he is best known for his enchanting children's books.
His first self-illustrated book, *Lorenzo*, was released in 1961, paving the way for the beloved *The House on East Eighty-Eighth Street*, which introduced the iconic character Lyle the crocodile. This character became central to an eight-book series that captured the imaginations of young readers. Waber's stories often feature anthropomorphic animals and tackle themes pertinent to children, such as friendship and coping with change, reflected in titles like *Ira Sleeps Over*. His book *Courage*, inspired by the events of September 11, 2001, addresses bravery in a child-friendly manner. Waber's unique blend of humor, fantasy, and heartfelt storytelling continues to resonate with audiences today.
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Bernard Waber
- Born: September 27, 1924
- Birthplace: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Died: May 16, 2013
- Place of death:
Biography
Bernard Waber, an award-winning picture book author and illustrator, was born on September 27, 1924, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He attended the University of Pennsylvania, intending to study finance, but left school in 1942 to serve in the army during World War II. When he returned to school after the war, he decided to study art. He attended the Philadelphia Academy of Art from 1946 to 1950 and the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts from 1950 to 1951. In 1952, he married Ethel Bernstein, and the couple had three children.
Waber began his career as a commercial artist in New York City, working for Seventeen and Life magazines. Later, he was a graphic designer for People magazine. However, it is as an author and illustrator of children’s books that he is best known. His colleagues in commercial art suggested that some of his drawings seemed suited to picture books, and at the same time he was enjoying the books he was reading to his children. He began to send stories and ideas to publishers.
Waber’s first self-illustrated children’s book, Lorenzo, was published in 1961. The House on East Eighty-Eighth Street (1962), where Lyle the crocodile is discovered for the first time in the Primm family’s bathtub, was an immediate popular success and won honors at the New York Herald Tribune’s Children’s Spring Book Festival. Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile followed in 1965, and Lyle the crocodile became Waber’s best-known character, the hero of a series of eight picture books.
Many of Waber’s comical fantasies for children revolve around anthropomorphic animals. An Anteater Named Arthur was honored by the American Institute of Graphic Arts, and A Firefly Named Torchy was an American Library Association Notable Book and a Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor Book. Do You See a Mouse?, A Lion Named Shirley Williamson, The Mouse That Snored, and Evie and Margie, about a friendship between two hippos, are among Waber’s clever and cute anthropomorphic characters.
Waber is known for his wordplay, his charming and witty rhymes, and his understated humor. He also writes about issues of concern to young children, especially friendship and moving; Waber himself moved frequently as a child. Ira Sleeps Over introduces a young boy named Ira and his friend Reggie, who reappear in Ira Says Goodbye, when Reggie moves away. Waber’s illustrations and text work together to balance fantasy with the portrayal of feelings and relationships most important to young children.
Courage was Waber’s response to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. In this book, Waber emphasizes to young children that courage comes in many forms and that heroes are around every corner. Courage has been praised as poignant and helpful to young children in overcoming their fears.
Waber’s work successfully combines fantasy with real concerns, wit and humor with reassuring messages for young children, and rhyme and wordplay with attractive and expressive cartoon-like art.