An Orange for Frankie

Praise for An Orange for Frankie
“Autobiography melds with history in this poignant tale of a family tradition, set around Christmastime during the Great Depression.”–Booklist

“Polacco’s watercolor-and-pencil illustrations are well rendered as always and appropriate for this slight but wordy, nostalgic tale.”–School Library Journal

“Holiday treats abound in a colorful and touching story of generosity and the ties that bind, based on a story of the author’s great-uncle. “–Publishers Weekly

“If you are a Polacco fan then you know that her books reflect a family experience, and that she has a way of tugging at the hearts of her readers. This offering is no different … Polacco’s loose watercolor and pencil drawings show a familiar cast of characters and readers will feel like they have once again stepping into the lives of this fascinating family of Polacco’s.”–Children’s Literature

“Polacco’s illustrations … are timeless in their portrayal of a happy family enjoying life together.”–Kirkus Reviews

Patricia Polacco was born in Lansing, Michigan in 1944. Soon after her birth, she lived in Williamston, Michigan and then moved onto her grandparents’ farm in Union City, Michigan, where she lived with her mom and grandparents until 1949. She describes living on that little farm as the most magical time of her life and her Babushka and other grandparents as some of the most inspirational people in her life.

Her parents divorced when she was 3, and she spent the school year with her mother and the summers with her dad, and she was the apple of her grandparents’ eyes in both households. These relationships with her grandparents have influenced her life and her work, and there is a very young person interacting with an elderly person in almost every book that she writes. She feels that this is the most valuable experience of her life, having the wonder of knowing both children and elderly people.

As a child, she struggled with reading and math and did not learn how to read until she was almost 14 years old. Later, she learned that she has a learning disability called dyslexia. However, she went on to University, majored in Fine Art, then went on to do a graduate degree and even ended up with a Ph.D. in Art History. For a time, she restored ancient pieces of art for museums. She eventually became the mother of two children, Steven and Traci, and devoted much of her days to their education and upbringing.

She did not start writing children’s books until she was 41 years old. She comes from a family of incredible storytellers, and at the age of 41, she started putting stories that she told down on paper and did drawings to help illustrate them.

Born Patricia Ann Barber in Lansing, Michigan, to parents of Russian and Ukrainian descent on one side and Irish on the other, Patricia Polacco grew up in both California and Michigan. Her school year was spent in Oakland, California, and summers in her beloved Michigan. She describes her family members as marvelous storytellers.

Studying in the United States and Australia, Patricia Polacco has earned an M.F.A. and a Ph. D. in art history, specializing in Russian and Greek painting, and iconographic history. She is a museum consultant on the restoration of icons.

The mother of a grown son and a daughter, Patricia Polacco currently resides in Michigan, where she has a glorious old farm that was built during the time of Lincoln.

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