Robert Munsch

Robert Munsch
CM
Munsch signs autograph for a young fan at Guelph, Ontario, Canada in 1997
Born Robert Norman Munsch
(1945-06-11) June 11, 1945
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
Occupation Author
Nationality American-Canadian
Education Master of Education (Child studies)
Alma mater Fordham University
Boston University
Tufts University
University of Guelph
Period 1979–present
Genre Children's literature
Notable works The Paper Bag Princess
Love You Forever
Notable awards Order of Canada
Children 5
Website
www.robertmunsch.com

Robert Norman Munsch CM (born 1945) is an American-born Canadian children's author.

Personal life and career

Robert Munsch was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on June 11, 1945. He graduated from Fordham University in 1969 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in history and from Boston University in 1971 with a Master of Arts degree in anthropology.

He studied to become a Jesuit priest, but decided he would rather work with children after having jobs at orphanages and daycare centers. In 1973, he received a Master of Education in Child Studies from Tufts University. In 1975, he moved to Canada to work at the preschool at the University of Guelph in Guelph, Ontario.[1] He also taught in the Department of Family Studies at the University of Guelph as a lecturer and as an assistant professor. In Guelph, he was encouraged to publish the many stories he made up for the children he worked with.

One of Munsch's best-known books, Love You Forever, was listed fourth on the 2001 Publishers Weekly All-Time Best selling Children's Books list for paperbacks at 6,970,000 copies (not including the 1,049,000 hardcover copies).[2] It has since sold more than 30,000,000 copies and has been featured on the iconic television show Friends, as well as being mentioned by Oprah on Late Night with David Letterman as being her favorite children's book.

The Munsches are the parents of Julie, Andrew, and Tyya.

Health

Munsch has publicly talked about his bipolar disorder and addiction issues.[3][4] In August 2008, Munsch suffered a stroke that affected his memory. He has since retired; however, he continues to publish two previously written books each year.[5] On May 15, 2010, Munsch revealed that he has been diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive and manic-depressive disorder, and that he is recovering from cocaine addiction and alcoholism.[6][7]

Writing style

Munsch is known for his exuberant storytelling methods, with exaggerated expressions and acted voices. He makes up his stories in front of audiences and refines them through repeated tellings.

His stories do not have a recurring single character; instead, the characters are based on the children to whom he first told the story, including his own children. He often performs at children's festivals and appears at elementary schools, sometimes unannounced. In 1991, some of his books were adapted into the cartoon series A Bunch of Munsch.

Awards and honours

In 1999, Munsch was made a Member of the Order of Canada. On June 17, 2009, it was announced that Munsch would receive a star on Canada's Walk of Fame in Toronto. The induction ceremony was held on September 12, 2009, and in 2013, his star was revealed on King Street in Toronto.[8][9] In 2009, Robert Munsch Public School opened in Whitby, Ontario, and in 2014, a second Robert Munsch Public School opened in Uxbridge, Ontario.[10]

He is also the most stolen author at the Toronto Public Library.[11]

Publications

Year Title Illustrator ISBN
1979Mud PuddleSami Suomalainen 1-55037-468-0
The DarkMichael Martchenko 1-55037-450-8
1980The Paper Bag Princess 0-920236-16-2
1981Jonathan Cleaned Up — Then He Heard a Sound (also known as Blackberry Subway Jam) 0-920236-21-9
1982Murmel Murmel Murmel 1-55037-012-X
The Boy in the Drawer 0-920303-50-1
1983David's Father 1-55037-011-1
1984Mortimer 0-920303-11-0
1985Thomas' Snowsuit 1-55451-115-1
198650 Below Zero 0-920236-91-X
Love You ForeverSheila McGraw 0-920668-37-2
1987I Have To Go!Michael Martchenko 0-920303-51-X
1988Angela's Airplane 0-920236-75-8
Millicent and The WindSuzanne Duranceau 0-920236-93-6
1989Giant; or Waiting for the Thursday BoatGilles Tibo
Pigs!Michael Martchenko 1-55037-388-9
1990Something Good 1-55037-390-0
1991Good Families Don'tAlan Daniel
Show and TellMichael Martchenko
1992A Promise is a Promise (co-authored with Michael Kusugak)Vladyana Krykorka
Moira's BirthdayMichael Martchenko
Purple Green and YellowHélène Desputeaux 1-55451-113-5
1994Where is Gah-Ning?
1995From Far AwayMichael Martchenko
1996Get Me Another OneMike Boldt
Stephanie's PonytailMichael Martchenko 1-55451-114-3
1997Alligator Baby
1998Get Out of BedAlan Daniel & Lea Daniel
The Fire StationMichael Martchenko 1-55037-171-1
Wait and See
1999Andrew's Loose Tooth
We Share EVERYTHING!
2000Aaron's HairAlan Daniel and Lea Daniel
Mmm, CookiesMichael Martchenko 0590516949
2001Up, Up, Down 0439988152
2002Makeup Mess 978-0439988964
More Pies 978-0779113637
Playhouse 978-0439989596
Ribbon RescueEugenie Fernandes 0590038710
2003LighthouseJanet Wilson 978-0439946568
ZoomMichael Martchenko
2004Boo! 978-0439961264
Smelly Socks 978-0439967075
2005The Sandcastle Contest 978-0439955904
2006Deep Snow 978-0439946582
I'm So Embarrassed! 978-0439952392
No Clean Clothes 0-439-93790-6
2007Class Clown
2008Just One Goal 0-545-99035-1
Look at Me!
Kiss Me, I'm Perfect!
2009Down the Drain 0-545-98600-1
Roar! 0-545-98020-8
Braids!
2010Put Me In A Book 1-4431-0080-3
Too Much Stuff! 978-1443102452
2011Moose! 1-4431-0718-2
Give Me Back My Dad! 1-4431-0764-6
2012 Finding Christmas
It's My Room!
2013Seeing Red! 1-4431-2446-X
Swamp Water
2014 Hugs
Pyjama Day!
2015 Ready, Set, Go!
2016 So Much Snow! 1-4431-4617-X
2017 Blackflies Jay Odjick
The Enormous Suitcase Michael Martchenko

Compilations

Year Title ISBN
1998Munschworks, The First Munsch Collection 978-1-55037-523-7
1999Munschworks 2, The Second Munsch Treasury 978-1-55037-553-4
2000Munschworks 3, The Third Munsch Treasury 978-1-55037-633-3
2001Munschworks Grand Treasury 978-1-55037-685-2
2002Munschworks 4: The Fourth Munsch Treasury 978-1-55037-766-8
2004Munsch More! 978-0-439-96135-6
2007Much More Munsch! 978-0-439-93571-5
2010Munsch Mini-Treasury One 978-1-55451-273-7
2010Munsch Mini-Treasury Two 978-1-55451-274-4

References

  • "Canadian Who's Who 1997". Retrieved May 8, 2006.
  1. ↑ "All About Robert Munsch | The Official Website of Robert Munsch". robertmunsch.com. Retrieved 2018-02-26.
  2. ↑ "All-Time Bestselling Children's Books". Publishers Weekly. Archived from the original on May 1, 2006. Retrieved September 25, 2006.
  3. ↑ Picard, André (October 9, 2009). "How Robert Munsch grabbed a lifeline". The Globe and Mail. Toronto. Retrieved 2010-05-16.
  4. ↑ "Growing Up Munsch (aired May 15, 2010)". Global Television Network, 16:9 (TV series). May 11, 2010. Retrieved 2010-05-16.
  5. ↑ "Munsch Recovering From Stroke". Waterloo Region Record. November 1, 2008. Retrieved 2008-11-07.
  6. ↑ http://www.cfra.com/?cat=4&nid=73206
  7. ↑ http://robertmunsch.com/about
  8. ↑ "The Stars Align at the 12th Annual Canada's Walk of Fame". Canada's Walk of Fame. 2009-06-16. Archived from the original on 2009-06-20. Retrieved 2009-06-16.
  9. ↑ Jones, Allison (2009-09-12). "Mandel, Munsch among new Canada Walk of Fame inductees". Toronto: The Globe and Mail, syndicated from The Canadian Press. Retrieved 2009-09-14.
  10. ↑ "Robert Munsch Public School".
  11. ↑ Robinson, Michael (15 July 2015). "Gone but not forgotten: 100,000 Toronto library books outstanding". The Toronto Star. Retrieved 16 July 2015.
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