Walter the Lazy Mouse

Marjorie Flack was born in 1897. She was an award-winning author and illustrator of children’s books, with sixteen titles to her credit. Among her best-loved books were The Story about Ping, illustrated by Kurt Wiese (and made famous by the TV show Captain Kangaroo), and her series of five books about Angus, a lovable pooch, which she both wrote and illustrated. Her book The Boats on the River, illustrated by Jay Hyde Barnum, was a Caldecott Honor Book in 1947. Although Marjorie Flack died decades ago, in 1958, many of her titles remain in print today.

Nancy Pearl is a librarian and lifelong reader. She regularly comments on books on National Public Radio’s Morning Edition. Her books include 2003’s Book Lust: Recommended Reading for Every Mood, Moment, and Reason, 2005’s More Book Lust: 1,000 New Reading Recommendations for Every Mood, Moment, and Reason; 2007’s Book Crush: For Kids and Teens; Recommended Reading for Every Mood, Moment, and Interest; and 2010’s Book Lust To Go: Recommended Reading for Travelers, Vagabonds, and Dreamers. Among her many awards and honors are the 2011 Librarian of the Year Award from Library Journal, the 2011 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association, the 2010 Margaret E. Monroe Award from the Reference and Users Services Association of the American Library Association, and the 2004 Women’s National Book Association Award.