Katherine Paterson was born on this day in 1932, in the Jiangsu Province of China. Her parents were missionaries, and by the age of 18, Paterson had moved 18 times.

Her parents read to her, which allowed her imagination to soar. When Paterson’s youthful goal of being a movie star didn’t quite work out, writing emerged, first as a hobby, and then as a vocation.

Katherine Paterson is the author of over a dozen award winning children’s books, including Bridge To Terabithia.

She has won two Newbury Medals, this country’s highest honor for children’s literature. Paterson calls Vermont, home.

Vermont Book Of Days photo