Edith Kunhardt
Library member Edith Kunhardt Davis is the author of more than 75 books for children, including titles from the well-known Pat the Bunny series. Davis says she loves creating picture books because "their limited vocabulary and their rich illustrations transport me to other realms.” She says that writing interactive books is different from writing traditional books because "the activities in these books expand the young reader’s experience,” but notes that they are sometimes "a technical challenge to invent.” Kunhardt also enjoys researching nonfiction topics, including studying mummies in Egypt and "listening to whales exhaling all night” on a whale-watching trip.
As a child, Davis enjoyed the Freddy the Pig books by Walter R. Brooks, Little Women by Louisa May Alcott, The Pathfinder by James Fenimore Cooper, and books about Joan of Arc. She wanted to be a writer, but because her mother, an author, "occupied the children’s books writer slot,” Davis turned to editing children’s books. Davis returned to writing after her mother’s death. She says she inherited from her mother the "ability to place myself in the head of another age group.”
Kunhardt advises young writers to "keep on writing…It helps if you have a mentor or teacher who will encourage you and urge you on. I had such a teacher in grade school, and it made a huge difference. Many years later, I still remember some of her comments about my work!”
NYSL Books:
- Kunhardt, Edith, Daddy's scratchy face Juv-E K (2005)
- Kunhardt, Edith, Honest Abe Juv. 92 LIN Stack 8 (1993)
A simple biography of the president who led the United States through a bloody civil war.
- Kunhardt, Edith, I'm going to be a farmer Juv. 630 K (1996)
An overview of farm life narrated by a young boy whose family is engaged in agriculture and who wants to be a farmer when he grows up.
- Kunhardt, Edith, I'm going to be a fire fighter Juv. 614.84 K (1989)
- Kunhardt, Edith, I'm going to be a vet Juv. 636 K (1996)
Nicole, who wants to be a veterinarian like her father, describes his busy day at work taking care of dogs, cats, a ferret, and other animals.
- Kunhardt, Edith, Judy's flower bed Juv-E K (2005)
- Kunhardt, Edith, Mummies Juv. 932 K (2000)
Describes how Ramses II, the powerful king of ancient Egypt, was made into a mummy after his death.
- Kunhardt, Edith, Pat the Christmas bunny Juv-E K Stack 8 (1999)
Toddlers can help Paul and Judy in nine activities as they get ready for Christmas.
- Kunhardt, Edith, Pompeii-- buried alive! Juv. 937 K (1987)
A simple retelling of the fateful days in 79 A.D. when Mt. Vesuvius erupted and the people in the ancient town of Pompeii perished.
- Kunhardt, Edith, Red Day Green Day (1992)
Andrew and his classmates in Mrs. Halsey's kindergarten class learn about colors in a unique way.
- Kunhardt, Edith, Which pig would you choose? Juv-E K (1990)
Maggie and Will spend a busy day on the farm, making many choices in which the reader may share.
|