Jan. 4, 1933 is the birth date of American author, Phyllis Reynolds Naylor.
Jan. 4, 1933 is the birth date of American author, Phyllis Reynolds Naylor.
She has written over 130 books and 2,000 articles.
This writer of children and young adult fiction books grew up with an older sister and a younger brother in a little house on Chestnut Street in Anderson, Indiana.
Their home was built by her father and grandfather.
Her parents loved to read to the children.
Phyllis began writing in elementary school and, at age 16, was paid for writing a story for a church magazine.
She was a graduate of Joliet High School and Joliet Junior College.
Phyllis settled in Maryland, graduated from American University in 1963, married, had two sons and became a full-time writer.
Her first book was published in 1965 with the title, “The Galloping Goat and Other Stories.” Her most famous novel, “Shiloh,” was published in 1991 followed by “Shiloh Season” in 1996 and “Saving Shiloh” in 1997. All three were made into films.
Phyllis and her husband were married for 52 years before his death in 2012.
She has a granddaughter who is following in her grandmother’s footsteps as a writer.
Phyllis still writes for six hours a day and claims she will write “as long as she can hold a pencil.”
We observe National Trivia Day on Jan. 4.
Henryetta Public Library's calendar list themes for January include: International Creativity Month; Get Organized Month; National Mentoring Month and Brainteaser Month. We wish everyone a very Happy New Year and stay safe!
