Robert Munsch

Robert Norman Munsch CM (born June 11, 1945) is an American-Canadian children's author.

Robert Munsch

Munsch signs autograph for a young fan at Guelph, Ontario, Canada in 1997
BornRobert Norman Munsch
(1945-06-11) June 11, 1945
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
OccupationAuthor
NationalityUS / Canadian
EducationMaster of Education (Child studies)
Alma materFordham University
Boston University
Tufts University
University of Guelph
Period1979–present
GenreChildren's literature
Notable worksThe Paper Bag Princess
Love You Forever
Notable awardsOrder of Canada
Children3
Website
www.robertmunsch.com

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 centres. 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 College of Family and Consumer 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 Bestselling Children's Books list for paperbacks at 6.97 million copies (not including the 1.049 million hardcover copies).[2] It has since sold more than 30 million copies and has been featured on the episode "The One With the Cake" from the television show Friends, as well as being mentioned by Oprah Winfrey on Late Night with David Letterman as being her favorite children's book. His other famous book The Paper Bag Princess has sold more than seven million copies and is considered to be a feminist story, as well as a literary classic.[3][4]

Munsch and his wife Ann discovered they couldn't have biological children after two pregnancies ended with still-birth.[5] They have three adopted children.[6]

Health

Munsch has publicly talked about his bipolar disorder and addiction issues.[7][8] 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.[9] On May 15, 2010, Munsch revealed that he has been diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive and manic-depressive disorder, and that he had a cocaine addiction that started in 2005 and was an alcoholic; at the time, he had been clean for four months, and had regularly attended Alcoholics Anonymous for the previous 25 years and Narcotics Anonymous meetings more recently.[10][11][12]

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 1985, Munsch won a Juno Award for his portrayal of "Murmel, Murmel, Munsch: More Outrageous Stories". In 1992, he was also chosen "Author of the Year" by the Canadian Booksellers' Association. [13] 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.[14][15] In 2009, Robert Munsch Public School opened in Whitby, Ontario, and in 2014, a second Robert Munsch Public School opened in Uxbridge, Ontario.[16]

He is also the most stolen author at the Toronto Public Library.[17]

Publications

Year Title Illustrator ISBN Publisher
1979Mud PuddleSami Suomalainen1-55037-468-0Annick Press
The DarkMichael Martchenko1-55037-450-8
1980The Paper Bag Princess0-920236-16-2[3]
1981Jonathan Cleaned Up — Then He Heard a Sound (also known as Blackberry Subway Jam)0-920236-21-9
1982Murmel Murmel Murmel1-55037-012-X
The Boy in the Drawer0-920303-50-1
1983David's Father1-55037-011-1
1984Mortimer0-920303-11-0
1985Thomas' Snowsuit1-55451-115-1
198650 Below Zero0-920236-91-X
Love You ForeverSheila McGraw0-920668-37-2Firefly Books
1987I Have To Go!Michael Martchenko0-920303-51-XAnnick Press
1988Angela's Airplane0-920236-75-8
Millicent and The WindSuzanne Duranceau0-920236-93-6
1989Giant; or Waiting for the Thursday BoatGilles Tibo
Pigs!Michael Martchenko1-55037-388-9
1990Something Good1-55037-390-0
1991Good Families Don'tAlan DanielDoubleday
Show and TellMichael MartchenkoAnnick Press
1992A Promise is a Promise (co-authored with Michael Kusugak)Vladyana Krykorka
Moira's BirthdayMichael Martchenko
Purple, Green and YellowHélène Desputeaux1-55451-113-5
1993Wait and SeeMichael Martchenko
1994Where is Gah-Ning?Hélène Desputeaux
1995From Far AwayMichael Martchenko
1996Get Me Another OneMike BoldtDoubleday
Stephanie's PonytailMichael Martchenko1-55451-114-3Annick Press
1997Alligator BabyCartwheel
1998Get Out of BedAlan Daniel & Lea Daniel
The Fire StationMichael Martchenko1-55037-171-1Annick Press
1999Andrew's Loose ToothCartwheel
We Share EVERYTHING!
2000Aaron's HairAlan Daniel & Lea Daniel
Mmm, CookiesMichael Martchenko0590516949
2001Up, Up, Down0439988152
2002Makeup Mess978-0439988964
More Pies978-0779113637
Playhouse978-0439989596
Ribbon RescueEugenie Fernandes0590038710
2003LighthouseJanet Wilson978-0439946568
ZoomMichael Martchenko
2004Boo!978-0439961264
Smelly Socks978-0439967075
2005The Sandcastle Contest978-0439955904
2006Deep Snow978-0439946582Scholastic
I'm So Embarrassed!978-0439952392Cartwheel
No Clean Clothes0-439-93790-6Scholastic
2007Class Clown
2008Just One Goal!0-545-99035-1
Look at Me!
Kiss Me, I'm Perfect!Cartwheel
2009Down the Drain0-545-98600-1Scholastic
Roar!0-545-98020-8
Braids!Scholastic
2010Put Me in a Book1-4431-0080-3Scholastic
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
2014Hugs
Pyjama Day!
2015Ready, Set, Go!
2016So Much Snow!1-4431-4617-X
2017BlackfliesJay Odjick
The Enormous SuitcaseMichael Martchenko
2018Hugs Michael MartchenkoScholastic
2018Put Me in a Book!Michael MartchenkoScholastic
2018Moving Day!Michael MartchenkoScholastic
2019Just One Goal!Michael MartchenkoScholastic
2019Sounds Like ChristmasMichael MartchenkoScholastic
2019Bear for BreakfastJay OdjickScholastic
2019School Rules!Dave WhamondScholastic

Compilations

Year Title ISBN Stories Included
1998Munschworks: The First Munsch Collection978-1-55037-523-7The Paper Bag PrincessI Have to Go!David's FatherThe Fire StationThomas' Snowsuit
1999Munschworks 2: The Second Munsch Treasury978-1-55037-553-4PigsPurple, Green and YellowMortimerMurmel, Murmel, MurmelSomething Good
2000Munschworks 3: The Third Munsch Treasury978-1-55037-633-3Stephanie's PonytailAngela's AirplaneJonathan Cleaned UpShow and TellA Promise Is a Promise
2001Munschworks Grand Treasury978-1-55037-685-2The Paper Bag PrincessThe Fire StationI Have to Go!David's FatherThomas' SnowsuitPigsMortimerPurple, Green and YellowMurmel, Murmel, MurmelSomething GoodStephanie's PonytailAngela's AirplaneJonathan Cleaned Up - Then He Heard a SoundShow and TellA Promise Is a Promise
2002Munschworks 4: The Fourth Munsch Treasury978-1-55037-766-8Moira's BirthdayFrom Far Away50 Below ZeroThe Boy in the DrawerMillicent and the Wind
2004Munsch More!978-0-439-96135-6Alligator BabyAndrew's Loose ToothGet Out of BedMmm, Cookies!Ribbon Rescue
2006Murmel Murmel Munsch!
(audio CD)
1897166273Mud PuddlePigs!Boo!Kendro's BraidsSquished SquashI'm So Embarrassed!Lacey's KissMurmel, Murmel, MurmelFlowers on My JeansAndrew's Loose ToothSomething GoodVictoria's LunchMakeup MessZoom!
2007Much More Munsch!: A Robert Munsch Collection978-0-43993-571-5We Share Everything!Aaron's HairUp, Up, DownMakeup MessPlayhouse
2010Mad About Munsch: A Robert Munsch Collection978-1-44310-239-1More Pies!Zoom!Smelly SocksBoo!The Sandcastle ContestBraids
2010Munsch Mini-Treasury One978-1-55451-273-7Angela's AirplaneThe Paper Bag Princess50 Below ZeroPigsA Promise Is a Promise
2010Munsch Mini-Treasury Two978-1-55451-274-4Stephanie's PonytailThe Fire StationI Have to Go!Moira's BirthdayThomas' Snowsuit
2013Munsch Mania!978-1-44312-826-1Class ClownI'm So Embarrassed!Just One Goal!Look at Me!No Clean Clothes
2014Munsch Mini-Treasury Three978-1-55451-651-3David's FatherMortimerPurple, Green and YellowShow and TellSomething Good
2017The Robert Munsch Collection: Volume One978-1-50404-984-9The Paper Bag PrincessStephanie's Ponytail50 Below ZeroPigsThe Fire StationA Promise Is a PromiseJonathan Cleaned Up - Then He Heard a SoundMoira's BirthdayShow and TellMortimer
2017The Robert Munsch Collection: Volume Two978-1-50404-985-6Angela's AirplaneDavid's FatherI Have to Go!Mud PuddleMurmel, Murmel, MurmelSomething GoodThe Boy in the DrawerThe DarkThomas' SnowsuitWait and See
2019Marvellous Munsch!978-1-44314-863-4Down the Drain!Put Me in a Book!Too Much Stuff!Moose! • Give Me Back My Dad!Hugs'

References

  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. Siegel, Alisa; Levine, Karen; Holdsworth, Pauline (13 December 2019). "It does have a happy ending". The Sunday Edition. CBC Radio. Retrieved 16 December 2019.
  4. Wiznura, Robert; Grandy, Karen. "Robert Munsch". The Canadian Encyclopedia. Retrieved 24 March 2019.
  5. Ann Hui (November 10, 2010). "The Backstory, Bestselling children's author Robert Munsch faces a crisis". The Walrus.
  6. "70 amazing facts about Robert Munsch". CBC books. June 11, 2018.
  7. Picard, André (October 9, 2009). "How Robert Munsch grabbed a lifeline". The Globe and Mail. Toronto. Retrieved 2010-05-16.
  8. "Growing Up Munsch (aired May 15, 2010)". Global Television Network, 16:9 (TV series). May 11, 2010. Retrieved 2010-05-16.
  9. "Munsch Recovering From Stroke". Waterloo Region Record. November 1, 2008. Retrieved 2008-11-07.
  10. "Munsch admits to cocaine, alcohol addiction". =The Globe and Mail. 17 May 2010. Retrieved 9 March 2019.
  11. "Robert Munsch admits to cocaine, alcohol abuse". Maclean's. 17 May 2010. Retrieved 9 March 2019.
  12. Hague, Matthew (17 May 2010). "Robert Munsch to cocaine: I won't love you forever". Toronto Life. Retrieved 9 March 2019.
  13. Wiznura, Robert; Grandy, Karen. "Robert Munsch". The Canadian Encyclopedia. Retrieved 24 March 2019.
  14. "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.
  15. 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.
  16. "Robert Munsch Public School".
  17. 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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