Rechenka's Eggs

Patricia Polacco was born in Lansing, Michigan, in 1944. She spent her early years on her grandparents’ farm in Union City, Michigan, a magical time that deeply influenced her. Her parents divorced when she was young, and she lived with her mother during the school year and her father during the summers, fostering strong relationships with both sets of grandparents. These intergenerational connections became a recurring theme in her writing.

The family moved from Michigan in 1949, living in Coral Gables, Florida, before settling in Oakland, California. She spent most of her young life and adulthood there, cherishing the diverse and colorful neighborhood she lived in. It was in Oakland that she met her lifelong best friend, Stewart Grinnell Washington.

Polacco struggled with reading and math in elementary school, feeling “dumb” and disliking school. At age fourteen, she was diagnosed with dyslexia, a learning disability. A supportive teacher helped her overcome these challenges, leading her to realize that a learning disability does not equate to a lack of intelligence, but rather a different way of learning. She believes that many learning-disabled children are actually geniuses.

After overcoming her academic hurdles, Polacco pursued higher education, earning a degree in Fine Art, a graduate degree, and a Ph.D. in Art History. She worked as a museum consultant specializing in the restoration of ancient art. She later became a mother to two children, Steven and Traci, dedicating herself to their upbringing.

Polacco began writing children’s books at the age of 41. Her artistic talent, which manifested early as an ability to draw exceptionally well, had always been a part of her life. Her family, with roots in the Ukraine, Russia, and Ireland, were natural storytellers, and she grew up immersed in the oral tradition. This background, combined with not owning a television, fostered a rich imagination that fuels her storytelling.

She encourages children and aspiring writers to “listen” to their inner voice and turn off distractions like television. Polacco believes that true creativity stems from this internal listening.

Now living back in Union City, Michigan, on a historic farm, she plans to host writing seminars, storytelling festivals, and other events celebrating children’s literature.

Patricia Polacco holds an M.F.A. and a Ph.D. in Art History, with a specialization in Russian and Greek painting and iconographic history. She has traveled extensively, particularly in Russia, and remains involved in programs that foster Russo-American understanding and promote art and literacy in the U.S. She is the mother of a grown son and daughter and resides in Michigan.

Copyright 2000 by Penguin Putnam Books for Young Readers. All rights reserved.

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