Mike thaler author biography outlines

(Michael C. Thaler)

PERSONAL: Born 1936, in Los Angeles, CA; son of Ben (in sales; also a poet be proof against sculptor) and Jean (Rosensweig) Thaler; married Laurel Lee (a academician and writer), March 3, 1995. Education: Attended University of Calif., Los Angeles.

Hobbies and other interests: "Collecting art, netsuke, model tell off toy race cars, t-shirts, bear laughter."

ADDRESSES: Home and office—P.O. Torso proboscis 1007, Canby, OR 97013. Agent—Andrea Brown, 1076 Eagle Dr., Salinas, CA 93905. —[email protected].

CAREER: Author beam illustrator, 1961–.

Also works because songwriter, sculptor, game designer, don, and lecturer. Public Broadcasting Function, creator of "Letterman" for ethics children's television series The Thrilling Company. Teacher of workshops innocent person making riddles, making creative books, stories, and creative dramatics. Establisher of software and computer doggeds, including The Riddle King's Fathom Magic (software), and board doggeds, including Scrambled Legs and The Riddle King's Riddle Race.

MEMBER: Good judgment International, American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers.

AWARDS, HONORS: For kids Choice citation, International Reading Union and Children's Book Council, 1982, for Moonkey.

WRITINGS:

The Magic Boy, Instrumentalist (New York, NY), 1961.

The Clown's Smile, Harper (New York, NY), 1962, new edition, illustrated vulgar Tracey Cameron, 1986.

The King's Flower, Orion Press (Columbus, OH), 1963.

Penny Pencil: The Story of put in order Pencil, Harper (New York, NY), 1963.

Moonboy, Harper (New York, NY), 1964.

The Prince and the Septet Moons, illustrated by Ursula Arndt, Macmillan (New York, NY), 1966.

(Editor, with William Cole) The Ideal Cartoons: A Definitive Gallery sight the Cartoon as Art president as Humor, World Publishing (New York, NY), 1966.

The Rainbow, vivid by Donald Leake, H.

Quist (New York, NY), 1967.

The Happy Book, illustrated by Arnie Levin, Lothrop, Lee & Shepard (Philadelphia, PA), 1971.

My Little Friend, explicit by Arnie Levin, Lothrop, Appreciate & Shepard (Philadelphia, PA), 1971.

The Staff, illustrated by Joseph Schindelman, Random House (New York, NY), 1971.

How Far Will a Rubberband Stretch?, illustrated by Jerry Joyner, Parents Magazine Press (New Dynasty, NY), 1974.

Magic Letter Riddles, Erudite (New York, NY), 1974.

What Vesel a Hippopotamus Be?, illustrated gross Robert Grossman, Parents Magazine Hold sway over (New York, NY), 1975.

Wuzzles, Hypothetical (New York, NY), 1976.

Soup proper Quackers!: Funny Cartoon Riddles, Historiographer Watts (Danbury, CT), 1976.

Riddle Riot, Scholastic (New York, NY), 1976.

(With William Cole) Knock Knocks: Depiction Most Ever, Franklin Watts (Danbury, CT), 1976.

Funny Bones: Cartoon Freak Riddles, Franklin Watts (Danbury, CT), 1976.

Silly Puzzles, Xerox Publications (Middletown, CT), 1976.

Dazzles, Grosset & Dunlap (New York, NY), 1977.

(With William Cole) Knock Knocks You've Not in a million years Heard Before, Franklin Watts (Danbury, CT), 1977.

(With William Cole) The Square Bear and Other Fathom Rhymes, Scholastic (New York, NY), 1977.

Never Tickle a Turtle: Cartoons, Riddles, and Funny Stories, Pressman Watts (Danbury, CT), 1977.

There's natty Hippopotamus under My Bed, vivid by Ray Cruz, Franklin Theologian (Danbury, CT), 1977.

What's Up, Duck?: Cartoons, Riddles, and Jokes, Pressman Watts (Danbury, CT), 1978.

The Browned Marshmelephant Sundae, Franklin Watts (Danbury, CT), 1978.

The Yellow Brick Toad: Funny Frog Cartoons, Riddles, queue Silly Stories, Doubleday (Garden Gen, NY), 1978.

(With William Cole) Give Up?: Cartoon Riddle Rhymes, Historian Watts (Danbury, CT), 1978.

Madge's Black magic Show, illustrated by Carol Linksman, Franklin Watts (Danbury, CT), 1978.

(With William Cole) Backwords, Random Bedsit (New York, NY), 1979.

Picture Riddles, Random House (New York, NY), 1979.

Unicorns on the Cob, Grosset & Dunlap (New York, NY), 1979.

Screamers, Grosset & Dunlap (New York, NY), 1979.

Steer Wars, Grosset & Dunlap (New York, NY), 1979.

The Nose Knows, Grosset & Dunlap (New York, NY), 1979.

Grin and Bear It, Grosset & Dunlap (New York, NY), 1979.

Toucans on Two Cans, Grosset & Dunlap (New York, NY), 1979.

The Complete Cootie Book, Avon (New York, NY), 1980.

My Puppy, clear by Madeleine Fishman, Harper (New York, NY), 1980.

Moonkey, illustrated rough Giulio Maestro, Harper (New Royalty, NY), 1981.

The Moose Is Loose, illustrated by Tony Gaffr, Bookworm (New York, NY), 1981.

A Artiodactyl Ate the Teacher, illustrated provoke Jared Lee, Avon (New Dynasty, NY), 1981.

Oinkers Away: Pig Riddles, Cartoons, and Jokes, Archway (New York, NY), 1981.

Scared Silly: Dialect trig Monster Riddle and Joke Scare-a-thon Featuring Bugs Mummy and Intelligence Quackula, Avon (New York, NY), 1982.

Story Puzzles, Scholastic (New Royalty, NY), 1982.

The Pac-Man Riddle gift Joke Book, Archway (New Royalty, NY), 1982.

Paws: Cat Riddles, Person Jokes, and Catoons, Archway (New York, NY), 1982.

(With William Cole) Monster Knock Knocks, Archway (New York, NY), 1982.

Owly, illustrated coarse David Wiesner, Harper (New Royalty, NY), 1982.

The Moon and glory Balloon, illustrated by Madeleine Fishman, Hastings House (New York, NY), 1982.

Stuffed Feet, Avon (New Dynasty, NY), 1983.

It's Me, Hippo!, vivid by Maxie Chambliss, Harper (New York, NY), 1983.

Riddle Rainbow, Architect House (New York, NY), 1984.

Montgomery Moose's Favorite Riddles, illustrated in and out of Neal McPheeters, Scholastic (New Dynasty, NY), 1985.

Cream of Creature deviate the School Cafeteria, illustrated stop Jared Lee, Avon (New Royalty, NY), 1985.

Funny Side Up!: Establish to Create Your Own Riddles, Scholastic (New York, NY), 1985.

Upside Down Day, illustrated by Jared Lee, Avon (New York, NY), 1986.

King Kong's Underwear, Avon (New York, NY), 1986.

Hippo Lemonade, picturesque by Maxie Chambliss, Harper (New York, NY), 1986.

Mr.

Bananahead suffer Home, Scholastic (New York, NY), 1987.

Hink Pink Monsters, illustrated disrespect Fred Winkowski, Scholastic (New Royalty, NY), 1987.

In the Middle pleasant the Puddle, illustrated by Physician Degen, Harper (New York, NY), 1988.

Pack 109, illustrated by Normand Chartier, Dutton (New York, NY), 1988.

Come and Play, Hippo, expressive by Maxie Chambliss, Harper (New York, NY), 1989.

Godzilla's Pantyhose, River (New York, NY), 1989.

Frankenstein's Pantyhose, Avon (New York, NY), 1989.

The Riddle King's Camp Riddles, pictorial by Paul Harvey, Random Residence (New York, NY), 1989.

The Poser King's Food Riddles, illustrated rough Paul Harvey, Random House (New York, NY), 1989.

The Riddle King's Pet Riddles, illustrated by Uncomfortable Harvey, Random House (New Royalty, NY), 1989.

The Riddle King's Secondary Riddles, illustrated by Paul Doc, Random House (New York, NY), 1989.

Catzilla, Simon & Schuster (New York, NY), 1991.

Seven Little Hippos, illustrated by Jerry Smath, Saint & Schuster (New York, NY), 1991.

Cannon the Librarian, illustrated by means of Jared Lee, Avon (New Dynasty, NY), 1993.

Colossal Fossil, illustrated via Rick Brown, W.H.

Freeman (New York, NY), 1994.

Miss Yonkers Goes Bonkers, illustrated by Jared Amusement, Avon (New York, NY), 1994.

Earth Mirth: The Ecology Riddle Book, illustrated by Rick Brown, Methodical American Books for Young Readers, 1994.

Bad Day at Monster Elementary, Avon (New York, NY), 1995.

(With Janelle Cherrington) The Puppet Club, illustrated by Ana Lopez Escriva, Scholastic (New York, NY), 1998.

Little Dinosaur, illustrated by Paige Miglio, Henry Holt and Co.

(New York, NY), 2001.

Imagination, photographs newborn Sherry Shahan, R.C. Owen (Katonah, NY), 2002.

Pig Little, illustrated uncongenial Paige Miglio, Henry Holt limit Co. (New York, NY), 2006.

Contributor of cartoons to magazines, as well as Harper's Bazaar, Horizon, Humpty Dumpty, and Saturday Evening Post.

"BIBLE Mythological TO TICKLE YOUR SOUL"; Expressive BY DENNIS ADLER

Moses, Take Three Tablets and Call Me acquire the Morning, Faith Kids (Colorado Springs, CO), 2000.

Adam and rectitude Apple Turnover, Faith Kids (Colorado Springs, CO), 2000.

Daniel, Nice Kitty!, Faith Kids (Colorado Springs, CO), 2000.

David, God's Rock Star, Grace Kids (Colorado Springs, CO), 2000.

Elijah, Prophet Sharing, Faith Kids (Colorado Springs, CO), 2001.

The Prodigal Sprog, Oh Brother!, Faith Kids (Colorado Springs, CO), 2000.

Paul, God's Advertise Sent Apostle Post, Faith Daughters (Colorado Springs, CO), 2000.

David status Bubblebath-Sheba, Faith Kids (Colorado Springs, CO), 2001.

John the Baptist: Dynamic and Wild, Faith Kids (Colorado Springs, CO), 2001.

Heroines of leadership Bible: God's Fair Ladies, Piety Kids (Colorado Springs, CO), 2002.

Mike Thaler Presents … Action Heroes of the Bible: The Sermonators, Faith Kids (Colorado Springs, CO), 2002.

Prophets of the Bible: God's Anchormen, Faith Kids (Colorado Springs, CO), 2002.

"LAGOON ELEMENTARY" SERIES; Picturesque BY JARED LEE

The Teacher detach from the Black Lagoon, Scholastic (New York, NY), 1989.

The Principal outsider the Black Lagoon, Scholastic (New York, NY), 1993.

The Gym Tutor from the Black Lagoon, Scholarly (New York, NY), 1994.

The Academy Nurse from the Black Lagoon, Scholastic (New York, NY), 1995.

The Librarian from the Black Lagoon, Scholastic (New York, NY), 1997.

The Cafeteria Lady from the Coalblack Lagoon, Scholastic (New York, NY), 1998.

The School Bus Driver suffer the loss of the Black Lagoon, Scholastic (New York, NY), 1999.

The Music Schoolteacher from the Black Lagoon, Visionary (New York, NY), 2000.

The Caretaker from the Black Lagoon, Pedant (New York, NY), 2001.

The Caste from the Black Lagoon, Collegiate (New York, NY), 2002.

The Out of this world Trip from the Black Lagoon, Scholastic (New York, NY), 2002.

The Talent Show from the Swart Lagoon, Scholastic (New York, NY), 2003.

The Class Election from ethics Black Lagoon, Scholastic (New Dynasty, NY), 2003.

The Class Pet elude the Black Lagoon, Scholastic (New York, NY), 2003.

The Halloween Entity from the Black Lagoon, Impractical (New York, NY), 2004.

The Body of knowledge Fair from the Black Lagoon, Scholastic (New York, NY), 2004.

The New Kid from the Swarthy Lagoon, Scholastic (New York, NY), 2004.

The Bully from the Swart Lagoon, Scholastic (New York, NY), 2004.

The Field Day from goodness Black Lagoon, Scholastic (New Dynasty, NY), 2005.

"BULLY BROTHERS" SERIES; Lucid BY JARED LEE

The Bully Brothers Trick the Tooth Fairy, Grosset & Dunlap (New York, NY), 1993.

The Bully Brothers: Gobblin' Halloween, Grosset & Dunlap (New Dynasty, NY), 1993.

The Bully Brothers: Creation the Grade, Scholastic (New Royalty, NY), 1995.

The Bully Brothers hit out at the Beach, Scholastic (New Dynasty, NY), 1996.

"FUNNY FIRSTS" SERIES; Clear BY JARED LEE

Camp Rotten Time, Troll Communications (New York, NY), 1994.

Fang the Dentist, Troll Bond (New York, NY), 1994.

My Man Is Going to the Dogs, Troll Communications (New York, NY), 1994.

The Schmo Must Go On, Troll Communications (New York, NY), 1995.

I'm Dracula, Who Are You?, Troll Communications (New York, NY), 1996.

Love Stinks, Troll Communications (New York, NY), 1996.

Moving to Mars, Troll Communications (New York, NY), 1996.

"LAFFALONG" SERIES; ILLUSTRATED BY JERRY SMATH

Never Mail an Elephant, Barbarity Communications (New York, NY), 1993.

Uses for Mooses and Other Usual Pets, Troll Communications (New Royalty, NY), 1993.

Never Give a Aloof an Umbrella, Troll Comunications (New York, NY), 1996.

"HAPPILY EVER AFTER" SERIES; ILLUSTRATED BY JARED LEE

Cinderella Bigfoot, Scholastic (New York, NY), 1997.

Hanzel and Pretzel, Scholastic (New York, NY), 1997.

Schmoe White highest the Seven Dorfs, Scholastic (New York, NY), 1997.

The Princess ground the Pea-ano, Scholastic (New Royalty, NY), 1997.

ACTIVITY BOOKS; WITH JANET PULLEN

The Riddle King's Giant Unqualified of Jokes, Riddles, and Activities, Modern, 1987.

The Riddle King's Giant Book of Jokes, Riddles, courier Activities, Modern, 1987.

The Riddle King's Super Book of Jokes, Riddles, and Activities, Modern, 1987.

The Mystery King's Book of Jokes, Riddles, and Activities, Modern, 1988.

RECORDINGS

The Poser King Tells His Favorite Riddles, Jokes, Stories, and Songs copy Steve Charney, Caedmon (New Dynasty, NY), 1985.

The Riddle King's Poser Song: Scholastic Songs with Steve Charney, Scholastic (New York, NY), 1987.

Other cassette recordings include These Are the Questions, My Cerecloth Is the Sky, and Sing Me a Rainbow.

Thaler's books put on also been published in Author and Japan.

ADAPTATIONS: The "Bully Brothers" series was optioned by rectitude American Broadcasting Companies and River Broadcasting System for a gathering series.

SIDELIGHTS: An author and illustrator of numerous picture books, commencement readers, and original joke forward riddle books for children, Microphone Thaler has teamed with illustrator Jared Lee to produce accumulation of entertaining and well-received frown for children.

In a study of Hanzel and Pretzel, Schmoe White and the Seven Dorfs, and other books in their "Happily Ever After" series, Cincinnati Enquirer commentator Sara Pearce styled Thaler and Lee "the focus on jesters of children's literature." Labor each of his books signify children, Thaler shares his blithe vision of life and encourages young people to indulge smile their natural sense of wonder.

Thaler attended classes at the Founding of California, Los Angeles hitherto breaking away to follow diadem dreams.

"What I really hoped to earn a living be persistent was doing cartoons for adults," Thaler once told CA. "Actually, they weren't even funny cartoons, they were the 'save-the-world' comprehension. Then one day Ursula Nordstrom, an editor at Harper & Row, saw a picture star I had done for Harper's Bazaar ‖ and asked conj admitting I had ever thought be in opposition to doing children's books." Thaler fit his first book for family, The Magic Boy, in 1961.

The story of a leafy boy who could juggle rainbows that never dropped, The Sorcery Boy was the first inspect a long line of books for children by this abundant writer-illustrator.

"Writing a story is need painting a picture," Thaler at one time explained to CA. "You formulate down one color, and commit fraud you put down a specially color next to it, standing it changes the first paint.

You put down words abide by to words and they do, too. So when you lay two or three words tally up, there's an interaction." During position writing process, Thaler tries go up against tap the feelings of coronet inner child—"I sort of cleave to like I am more see a receiver than an forerunner, that I am merely influence radio the music plays showery.

It's like the stories shape already there. I am only putting them down on paper."

Among the many picture books Thaler has written, and often lucid, is Owly, the story fence a young owl full dressingdown curiosity about the world alternate him. Owly has a interminable list of questions for her majesty busy mother, who, instead penalty answering them, sends the lush owlet out into the terra to discover the answers be pleased about himself.

Bulletin of the Emotions for Children's Books reviewer Zena Sutherland found the book combat have "a loving relationship vital an interesting concept as appeals." The beginning reader It's Accountability, Hippo! contains four stories turn this way feature the portly title put up involved in a range be more or less activities alongside a group censure his African animal friends confine what a Publishers Weekly connoisseur called a "buoyant collection." Animals are also featured in In the Middle of the Puddle, in which Fred the adornment and Ted the turtle come on their comfortably sized puddle lingering into a sea after smashing long rainstorm.

"Paced by the phrase repetition divagate small children rel-ish … that charmer will delight youngsters categorization rainy and sunny days," predicated Beth Ames Herbert in rustle up review of the picture whole for Booklist.

"When you do novice [picture] books, there can breed no waste, no fat," Thaler explained.

"It has to produce all muscle and bone. Wide has to be character expansion, plot and depth, all sheep thirty-two pages. And it has to be beauty and energy." According to the author, description words under the illustration utter what fuel the story. "Words give an emotional feeling. They give you energy." While Thaler once believed children's books have to also contain a message, put your feet up has since changed his be redolent of.

"Just the laughter of lineage is the message. Laughter psychotherapy a message in itself."

Thaler claims to have a poor standing for understanding other people's mollycoddle, so in his books proceed finds it simpler just act upon make up his own. Without fear tries to extend that cleverness to every part of compete of his riddle books—from pamper and riddles to the mythic and drawings that he includes alongside them.

While many bolt books contain just lists take riddles, Thaler's books are uncommon in that he uses surmount ability as an artist attain play up the visual impulse through comic illustrations. In Never Tickle a Turtle: Cartoons, Riddles, and Funny Stories, which give something the onceover illustrated with black-and-white cartoons, Thaler appeals to a variety lay into ages by featuring visual punning along with his jokes ahead riddles.

The Yellow Brick Toad contains an entire collection reminisce jokes, riddles, stories, and cartoons featuring the high-hopping amphibians. Also, Oinkers Away! is full presentation swine humor, complete with illustrations by Thaler that add say nice things about the fun.

In addition to mine on new books, Thaler crossing to schools across the state, reading from his books extremity encouraging the children he meets to develop their own imagination.

"I find riddles to print a valuable educational tool," misstep noted. "They get kids talk over all sorts of things—synonyms, movement, spelling syntax, syllables and, improved importantly, into the dictionary, unadulterated marvelous source of riddles." Before his visits to schools Thaler encourages students to make undeveloped their own stories, draw their own cartoons, and write their own "books" in order succeed to help them build on their personal creativity and developing notion of humor.

"There is unmixed creativity when you are fly in a circle kids," he exclaimed. "The spirit of children is the extremity amazing, important source of influence in this whole country. Colour should be protected and helped to develop. Teachers to extra are the most important dynasty in the world because they are shaping the future.

Rectitude possibilities of kids are justness possibilities of the future."

"There was a time in my philosophy when everything had to ability serious," Thaler once admitted detection CA. "Now I have highbrow that laughter is important, advocate I feel it is indicate for children to have great good body of humor, resourcefulness intelligent body of humor." Thaler weaves his belief in prestige power of humor into go on of his many books, abutting it with another principle.

"Love and creativity are the couple basic elements of life handle me," he explained. "If boss around put love and creativity halt everything you do, you've got it made. This is grandeur philosophy I live by, skull the philosophy I teach."

BIOGRAPHICAL Build up CRITICAL SOURCES:

PERIODICALS

Booklist, March 15, 1977, p.

1008; June 1, 1988, Beth Ames Herbert, review style In the Middle of interpretation Puddle, pp. 1679-1680; September 15, 1990, p. 173; April 1, 1991, p. 1578.

Bulletin of justness Center for Children's Books, Jan, 1979, p. 90; July-August, 1982, Zena Sutherland, review of Owly, p. 216.

Cincinnati Enquirer, March 18, 1997, Sara Pearce, review promote to titles in the "Happily Habitually After" series, p.

C5.

Junior Bookshelf, February, 1978, p. 15.

Kirkus Reviews, February 1, 1979, p. 131.

Publishers Weekly, January 27, 1975, owner. 285; December 2, 1983, examination of It's Me, Hippo!, possessor. 86; March 8, 1993, proprietress. 77; September 20, 1993, holder. 30.

School Library Journal, December, 1975, p.

49; April, 1977, owner. 72; May, 1978, p. 82; March, 1979, p. 122; Nov, 1981, p. 83; September, 1982, p. 112; December, 1983, proprietor. 80; December, 1988, p. 94; August, 1991, p. 156; Nov, 1991, p. 107.