Meindert DeJong

Meindert DeJong sometimes spelled as Meindert de Jong or Dejong (4 March 1906 - 16 July 1991) was an award winning author of children's books. He was born in the village of Wierum, of the province of Friesland, in the Netherlands.

Related Topics:
4 March - 1906 - 16 July - 1991 - Friesland - Netherlands

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DeJong immigrated to the United States with his family in 1914. He attended Dutch Calvinist secondary schools and Calvin College, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and entered the University of Chicago, but left without graduating.

Related Topics:
1914 - Grand Rapids, Michigan - University of Chicago

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He held various jobs during the Great Depression, and it was at the suggestion of a local librarian that he began writing children's books. His first book The Big Goose and the Little White Duck was published in 1938.

Related Topics:
Great Depression - 1938

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He wrote several more books before joining the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II serving in China. After the war he resumed writing, and for several years resided in Mexico. He returned for a time to Michigan before settling in North Carolina

Related Topics:
World War II - China - Mexico - North Carolina

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Illustrator Maurice Sendak did works for six of DeJong's books.

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DeJong died 16 July 1991.

Related Topics:
16 July - 1991

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