Jane Yolen
Jane Yolen: A Literary Luminary
Full Name and Common Aliases
Jane Hyatt Yolen, often referred to simply as Jane Yolen, is a celebrated author whose name is synonymous with imaginative storytelling. Known affectionately as the "Hans Christian Andersen of America," Yolen has enchanted readers of all ages with her prolific body of work.
Birth and Death Dates
Jane Yolen was born on February 11, 1939. As of the latest available information, she is alive and continues to contribute to the literary world.
Nationality and Profession(s)
Jane Yolen is an American author, poet, and editor. Her career spans several decades, during which she has penned over 400 books, including picture books, fantasy, science fiction, and poetry. Her work has earned her a revered place in the pantheon of children's literature.
Early Life and Background
Jane Yolen was born in New York City to parents who were both involved in the arts. Her father, Will Hyatt Yolen, was a journalist and publicist, while her mother, Isabelle Berlin Yolen, was a social worker and writer. Growing up in a household that valued creativity and storytelling, Yolen was encouraged to explore her imagination from a young age. She attended Smith College, where she honed her writing skills and graduated with a degree in English. Her academic journey continued at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where she earned a master's degree in education.
Major Accomplishments
Jane Yolen's career is marked by numerous accolades and awards. She has received the prestigious Caldecott Medal for her book "Owl Moon," a tender story that captures the magic of a winter night. Yolen has also been honored with the World Fantasy Award for Life Achievement, recognizing her significant contributions to the fantasy genre. Her work has been translated into multiple languages, allowing her stories to reach a global audience.
Notable Works or Actions
Among Jane Yolen's most notable works are "The Devil's Arithmetic," a poignant novel that introduces young readers to the horrors of the Holocaust through a time-travel narrative, and "The Emperor and the Kite," which earned a Caldecott Honor. Her "How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight?" series has become a beloved staple in children's literature, delighting young readers with its playful rhymes and charming illustrations. Yolen's versatility as a writer is evident in her ability to craft stories that range from whimsical to profound, each imbued with her signature lyrical prose.
Impact and Legacy
Jane Yolen's impact on literature is profound and enduring. Her stories have not only entertained but also educated and inspired generations of readers. Yolen's ability to weave complex themes into accessible narratives has made her a beloved figure in both children's and adult literature. Her work often explores themes of family, nature, and the power of storytelling, resonating with readers across different cultures and backgrounds. As an advocate for literacy and education, Yolen has also contributed to the literary community through her work as an editor and mentor to aspiring writers.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Jane Yolen is widely quoted and remembered for her ability to capture the essence of human experience through her writing. Her quotes often reflect her deep understanding of the world and her belief in the transformative power of stories. Yolen's words resonate with readers because they speak to universal truths and emotions, offering wisdom and comfort. Her legacy as a storyteller is cemented by her ability to connect with readers on a personal level, making her work timeless and relevant. Whether through her poignant reflections on life or her enchanting tales of fantasy, Jane Yolen's voice continues to inspire and captivate audiences around the world.
Quotes by Jane Yolen
Jane Yolen's insights on:
The hard bed, the stool beside it, the stark cross on the wall, each cast shadows. Only the man in the bed seemed shadowless. He was the stillest thing in the room.
Come, Ye Women: Oh, come, ye women of the Isles, And listen to my song, For if ye be but thirteen years, Ye’ve not been women long. And if ye be threescore and ten, No longer women be, Or so say all the merry men Who count so cruel-ly. But women we be from our birth, And will be till we die. Our counte is made so differently To give the men that lie. Oh, come, ye women of the Isles, And listen to my song, For we be women all through life, Where life and love are long.
Stories,” he’d said, his voice low and almost husky, “we are made up of stories. And even the one’s that seem the most like lies can be our deepest hidden truths.
The others are all common mouths chattering, empty heads like wooden whistles blowing common tunes.
Even her powders and face paint couldn’t disguise the age lines and gripe lines that ran as deep as the railway tracks some said were bound to cross our mountain any day so.
As Mama once told me, “We called him Boy for the first two months of his life, but when his third-month birthday came around and we saw that sweet smile – especially when you were close to him, reaching out for him – we realized that he had chosen life. So we named him Chaim after your zaide, your grandfather, but also because ‘chaim’ in Hebrew means ‘life.’” I cannot imagine what my life would have been like without my twin.
I contend that good children’s stories are always about the Getting of Wisdom. That’s another way of saying, “Let your characters grow. Up.” And good stories for adults are about the Holding of Wisdom. Another way of saying, “Recognize you are grown up.
Just write. If you have to make a choice, if you say, ‘Oh well, I’m going to put the writing away until my children are grown,’ then you don’t really want to be a writer. If you want to be a writer, you do your writing... If you don’t do it, you probably don’t want to be a writer, you just want to have written and be famous – which is very different.