My favorite childhood book was Danny and the Dinosaur by Syd Hoff. What could be better than visiting museums and dinosaurs coming to life? Although I never became a paleontologist or a museum curator--both jobs I considered by reading that one book--it gave me so much joy for reading.
I've moved on to reading many different books since those early childhood years, but Danny and the Dinosaur and Syd Hoff always stood out.
Tomorrow, September 4th is Syd Hoff's birthday centennial. He wrote and illustrated children's books, and if you take a look at his website, I'm sure you'll see some you read as children, or read to your children, as well.
What I didn't realize is he did much more than write children's books. He illustrated cartoons. He wrote mystery short stories, and he wrote books with historical themes. According to his biography, he said in a 1982 newspaper article, "I like to make kids laugh. A lot of people think it’s easy to write for
children, but children are critical and have their own requirements.
They know immediately whether a book is ‘real’ or not. It can be
fantasy, but it must be believable."
(It's something that we authors must remember.)
Have you read Syd Hoff's work?
Happy Labor Day! This is a reminder of my Labor Day sale. Women of Foxwick is half-off ($1.49) at these retailers: Amazon US / UK / DE / FR / ES / IT Smashwords Nook. Not sure if Women of Foxwick is for you. Download a free copy of A to Z Flashes of Foxwick, read the bonus short story "Lady Death," and if you enjoy it, then you'll like Women of Foxwick. You can get A to Z Flashes of Foxwick free at these retailers: iTunes Kobo Amazon Smashwords. 
8 comments:
I'm sure I read several of his books when I was young.
I remember reading that book when I was a kid. Thanks for the trip down memory lane! LUV your cover, BTW.
I don't recall reading any of his books, but Danny and the Dinosaur looks fun:)
My siblings and I were big fans of Danny and the Dinosaur when we were younger. I'm sure my mother still has our copy in the house somewhere.
I had that book when I was little and I loved reading it. I wonder if my mom still has it stashed somewhere.
Oh, Syd Hoff? I don't think I ever read Danny and the Dinosaur (maybe I did . . . sounds a bit familiar) but I loved some of his other stories when I was little, especially The Horse in Harry's Room.
I had (and still have) a passel of Syd Hoff children's books. My favorites (besides Danny and the Dinosaur) were Sammy the Seal, Chester and Stanley. Great stuff!
Your cover for Women of Foxwick is beautiful!
I like that last quote from Syd Hoff!
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