By Betty Trummel

While at Logan Airport in Boston this morning, I stopped to check out a fabulous display featuring famous authors who lived (or still live) in Massachusetts. Did you you know that these beloved children’s book characters came to life in Massachusetts? From a cat in a hat, a big red dog, a pigeon who wants to drive a bus, a very hungry caterpillar and more…these books are treasures!

Theodor Seuss Geisel, known as Dr. Seuss, was an author, illustrator and poet. He was born in Springfield, Massachusetts. Geisel created 45 books for children that have been translated into 43 languages and sold in 111 countries. What’s your favorite Dr. Seuss book?

Make Way for Ducklings is a classic that I loved as a child. It’s the official children’s book of our state and a series of bronze statues of the ducklings can be found in the Boston Public Gardens.

Eric Carle was the author/illustrator of more than 70 wildly popular books for children, including this perennial favorite. He is the founder of The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art in Amherst, Massachusetts.

Mo Willems has created over 50 picture books, including those in the very popular “Pigeon” series. He still lives in Massachusetts with his family.

H.A. and Margret Rey’s character “Curious George” was created in Paris, written in New York and published in Boston, MA. The Reys lived in Cambridge, MA. Over 75 million books and 25 languages later, Curious George is still a favorite character for so many children (and adults).

Who remembers the antics of Clifford, the Big Red Dog? 132 million copies have been sold, in 13 languages! Author/illustrator Norman Bridwell lived on the island of Martha’s Vineyard, off the coast of Cape Cod, Massachusetts.

What famous authors and/or illustrators come from your state? Here are a couple more from mine.