Rotten Richie and the Ultimate Dare

Patricia Polacco was born in Lansing, Michigan, in 1944. Her early childhood was spent on her grandparents’ farm in Union City, Michigan, a magical time that profoundly influenced her life and work. She notes that relationships with grandparents are a recurring theme in her books, reflecting the value she places on intergenerational connections.

Her parents divorced when she was three, leading to her spending school years with her mother and summers with her father. Both households were filled with supportive grandparents whose influence she deeply cherishes.

In 1949, after her grandmother’s passing, her family moved from the farm. They lived in Coral Gables, Florida, for nearly three years before settling in Oakland, California. Polacco describes her neighborhood on Ocean View Drive as a diverse and enriching environment, fostering a strong sense of community. It was there she met her lifelong best friend, Stewart Grinnell Washington.

Polacco faced significant challenges in school due to dyslexia, not learning to read until she was nearly fourteen. This experience of feeling different and struggling academically deeply impacted her. However, a supportive teacher identified her learning disability, enabling her to receive the help she needed to succeed. She emphasizes that learning disabilities do not equate to a lack of intelligence, and many learning-disabled individuals are exceptionally gifted.

She pursued higher education, earning an M.F.A. and a Ph.D. in Art History, specializing in Russian and Greek painting and iconographic history. Her career included restoring ancient art for museums. Later, as a mother to her two children, Steven and Traci, she dedicated herself to their upbringing and education.

Polacco began writing children’s books at the age of 41. Her talent for art, a strong indicator of her dyslexia, had always been present, manifesting in drawing, painting, and sculpture. Hailing from a family of gifted storytellers—her mother’s side from Ukraine and Russia, her father’s from Ireland, and her extended family from Louisiana—she grew up immersed in oral traditions. This background, coupled with the absence of a television during her childhood, fostered a powerful imagination. She believes that listening to one’s inner voice is crucial for creativity, a practice she encourages in children and aspiring writers.

Patricia Polacco now resides in Union City, Michigan, on a historic farm. She intends to host writing seminars, storytelling festivals, and other events celebrating children’s literature. She has traveled extensively, particularly in Russia and former Soviet republics, participating in exchange programs and fostering Russo-American understanding. She also actively supports inner-city initiatives promoting conflict resolution, art, and literacy.

Her work has earned her widespread recognition, and she continues to inspire through her stories and her dedication to promoting literacy and creativity.

Copyright © 2000 by Penguin Putnam Books for Young Readers.

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