Marguerite Henry

Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on April 13, 1902, Marguerite Henry became one of the most popular American writers of children's animal stories. She wrote dozens of books, many inspired by real animals and real places, and built a lasting reputation for stories centered on horses, ponies, and other creatures young readers could care deeply about.

Her best-known book, Misty of Chincoteague (1947), became a classic and helped make the Chincoteague ponies famous far beyond Virginia's Eastern Shore. She also won the Newbery Medal for King of the Wind and was known for blending careful research with lively storytelling, often drawing on true events.

Henry died on November 26, 1997, at age 95. Her books have remained in print for decades because they offer more than animal adventure: they celebrate curiosity, loyalty, and the special bond between people and animals.