Robert Munsch

Robert Norman Munsch, CM (born June 11, 1945) is an American-born Canadian children's author.

Personal life and career

Robert Munsch was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Fordham University in 1969 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in history and from Boston University in 1971 with a Master of Arts degree in anthropology.

He studied to become a Jesuit priest, but decided he would rather work with children after having jobs at orphanages and daycare centers. In 1973, he received a Master of Education in Child Studies from Tufts University. In 1975, he moved to Canada to work at the preschool at the University of Guelph in Guelph, Ontario. He also taught in the Department of Family Studies at the University of Guelph as a lecturer and as an assistant professor. In Guelph, he was encouraged to publish the many stories he made up for the children he worked with.

One of Munsch's best-known books, Love You Forever, was listed fourth on the 2001 Publishers Weekly All-Time Best selling Children's Books list for paperbacks at 6,970,000 copies (not including the 1,049,000 hardcover copies).^[1] The Munsches have since become adoptive parents of Julie, Andrew, and Tyya.

Health

Munsch has publicly talked about his bipolar disorder and addiction issues.^[2][3] In August 2008, Munsch suffered a stroke that affected his ability to speak in normal sentences. He has recovered enough that he is able to perform live, but has put his writing career on hold until he is fully recovered.^[4] On May 15, 2010 Munsch revealed that he has been diagnosed as obsessive-compulsive and manic-depressive, and that he is a recovering cocaine addict and alcoholic.^[5][6]

Writing style

Munsch is known for his exuberant storytelling methods, with exaggerated expressions and acted voices. He makes up his stories in front of audiences and refines them through repeated tellings.

His stories do not have a recurring single character, instead the characters are based on the children to whom he first told the story, including his own children. He often performs at children's festivals and appears at elementary schools, sometimes unannounced. In 1991, some of his books were adapted into the cartoon series A Bunch of Munsch.

Awards and honours

In 1999 Munsch was made a Member of the Order of Canada. On June 17, 2009, it was announced that Munsch would receive a star on Canada's Walk of Fame in Toronto. The induction ceremony was held on September 12, 2009.^[7][8] In 2009, Robert Munsch Public School opened in Whitby, Ontario.^[9]

Publications

Compilations

References

• "Canadian Who's Who 1997". Retrieved May 8, 2006. 

External links

• The Official Robert Munsch Website
• AuthorViews video interview
• Robert Munsch bio on Annick Press website