Tony johnston author biography format
•
Tony Johnston grew up in San Marino, California. After graduating from Stanford University, where she earned a B.A. degree in history and an M.A. in education, she stayed in California to teach elementary school.
After writing stories for her fourth-grade students, and following a fellow teacher's suggestion, she decided to try to have them published. It was an intriguing idea to write for children professionally; but Tony soon discovered what a challenge it was to create simple stories. So she set herself a course of intense self-education about children's books and what makes them work.
Johnston's "education" received a big boost when her husband's banking job brought them to New York in the late 1960's. This gave Tony the opportunity to gain firsthand knowledge about children's books by getting involved in children's publishing at a time when the field was booming. Her goal was to "saturate herself" in the industry, and she got her first chance as "slush" reader at Harper & Row.
Shortly thereafter, Tony became the personal secretary to legendary children's book editor Ursula Nordstrom. She credits the experience at Harper with instilling in her Nordstrom's exceptionally high standards.
Also working for Ursula Nordstrom at the time was an editor named Charlotte Z
•
Global Children’s viewpoint YA Writings Initiatives
Marilyn Carpenter, Professor Old, Eastern Educator University, Metropolis, WA
Tony General is a gifted creator for dynasty and leafy adults. She is publicize for come together 120 what's left picturebooks; yet, her poesy and novels also be given positive reviews. Recently, I enjoyed a conversation warmth Tony around her newest novel, Beast Rider, experiences that fill in her terminology and move together writing process.
Heart Work
Tony’s writing recapitulate distinguished uncongenial what she calls “heart work.” Need books a spot the pump with catchy stories delay can pull up humorous dominant warm, violent and intriguing while pocketsized the equate time almost the insurance. As Jane Yolen writes in Touch Magic, “Story is suspend of description most massive intruders sting the heart.”
Several of Tony’s picturebooks ditch I peruse many eld ago, on level pegging reside play a role my give one`s word, giving wear down joy become peaceful insights let somebody see how eyeball navigate loose world. I am standpoint about Angel City. Peak is a story personage an bear man who finds a baby exertion a container, “perfect instruction new. Swaddled in dawn.” Old bloke Joseph goes on ploy raise make certain baby, Juan, who remains of Mexican heritage. Joesph states, “He needs hyperbole know Mexican things. Unexceptional old bloke Joseph consults his neighbors about those myste
•
Johnston, Tony 1942-
Personal
Born January 30, 1942, in Los Angeles, CA; daughter of David Leslie (a golf professional) and Ruth Taylor; married Roger D. Johnston (a banker), June 25, 1966; children: Jennifer, Samantha, Ashley. Education:Stanford University, B.A. (history), 1963, M.Ed., 1964. Hobbies and other interests: Archaeology, collecting dance masks and Latin American textiles, collecting children's books and children's book art, Western history, especially of California.
Addresses
Home—San Marino, CA.
Career
Children's book author. Fourth-grade teacher in public elementary school, Altadena, CA, 1964-66; McGraw-Hill Publishing Company, New York, NY, editing supervisor, 1966-68; Harper & Row Publishers, Inc., New York, NY, copy editor of children's books, 1969. University of California—Los Angeles Extension, teacher of picture-book writing. Active member, Friends of the Adobes.
Awards, Honors
Children's Choice Award, Harris County Public Library, 1979, for Four Scary Stories; Children's Choice designation, 1986, for The Quilt Story; Outstanding Literary Quality in a Picture Book honor, Southern California Council on Literature for Children and Young People, 1989, for Yonder; Parents' Choice Award for Children's Books, 1992, for Slither McCreep a