Happy Birthday, Beverly Cleary!

Born April 12, 1916 in Oregon,
Cleary worked as a librarian,
and it was her experiences
with children that convinced
they needed stories of their own.
.

If only the food industry could copy whatever secret ingredient that keeps Beverly Cleary's stories as fresh for kids today as they have been for the generations that have come before.  But whatever it is, there's surely nothing canned about Ramona, Beezus, Henry, Ribsy and the rest of the gang.

Ms. Cleary is 96 today and still writing.  Clearly, a reason to celebrate!