Born: Al Perkins' birthday is not the only mystery in his life.
Excellent Books: Hand, Hand, Fingers, Thumb; The Digging-est Dog, and several others--most from the 1960's and 1970's.
From His Life: Al Perkins wrote several amazing picture books. Then the mystery begins! Are any of you readers serious sleuths? If so, read on!
Advice for Aspiring Writers: Know your audience. Al's books are fun, fast-paced, and a little crazy. They have a strong rhythm. Kids love them.
Website: Now for the mystery. Random House's Author Page for Al Perkins gives you less information than this page. Who is Al Perkins? Why is he so impossible to find? Is "Al Perkins" even his real name? His books have sold hundreds of thousands of copies, yet he has no biography or website available. In fact, I can't find anything about his life. I'd love to know if anyone knows anything about him. I'm already a huge fan of his books.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
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7 comments:
Ooo, very mysterious. I don't know anything about him. There's a guitarist named Al Perkins. Maybe it's the same guy and he doesn't want anyone to know he writes children's books!
I wondered that...he'd be about the right age! It just seems like if it were him somewhere you'd find something (maybe an interview or a side comment) where he talks about his writing. Or the other way around!
Carla
I would contact the publisher for information. See if they can't get a letter or email to him from you. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you!
I see you are writing about authors for the challenge. I hope Roald Dahl shows up for R! His children and adult novels are some of my all-time favorites! Good luck with the challenge!
I think knowing your audience is one of the best tips an author can give. It ensures that you are thinking of your audience, and you will fulfill their expectations. It shows you care, basically, and want to ensure that they enjoy your book.
Great post again!
Laura Campbell, That's a great idea! I just get so used to finding the information I need online that I forget sensible things like writing to the publisher! I love Roald Dahl also, but actually have someone else planned for R...I think I may have to do this again next year!
So true, DU.
Carla
I found this comment on another site, maybe it will help find out more about him, very sad if true! "I know what happened to Mr Perkins. He committed suicide over the death of his son in La Holland,CA when I was around 23 I think, I’m almost 60 now. I worked as maid back then at a hotel he& his wife lived at during the year. I also met author Dr Suss although that wasn’t the name he was introduced to me by. MR.AL PERKINS was a very nice man but very depressed. A look in the San Diego Union Tribute archives in the late 1970s might help." Kareene - See more at: http://www.dadwagon.com/2010/06/02/the-mystery-of-al-perkins/#sthash.2zW68Miq.dpuf
I paid to search the archives of the San Diego Union tribute but failed to get any info. I have now emailedt the newspaper and included your quest for info as well as one I found on the dadwagon.com site. I am going to call Random House and try to find info through the illustrator Eric Gurney (who has a very documented biography) I love love Hand Hand Fingers Thumb (have my childhood 1969 copy) and bought the 1998 copy for my teens and now my 18 month old love the book, too. Wish me luck, I am determined and I will report back here if I find anything.
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