Robert Munsch was born to a family of 9 kids. Munsch says he was not an A+ student: “I almost flunked first grade and also the second, third, fourth, and fifth… I never learned how to spell, graduated from eighth grade counting on my fingers to do simple addition, and in general, was not a resounding academic success.” His one saving grace throughout school was poetry: “I did, however, all through elementary school, write poetry. Funny poems, silly poems, all sorts of poems.”
Munsch’s post-grad included an undergraduate degree in History from Fordham University and a Master’s degree in Anthropology from Boston University. He also studied to become a Jesuit priest, but pivoted to work with kids, something he became passionate about after working part-time at an orphanage.
In 1975, while Munsch was working at a preschool at the University of Guelph, he was encouraged by colleagues to publish the stories he would tell the kids – which he did. Munsch’s first book, Mud Puddle, sold 3000 copies in the first year. He left his job to focus on writing around the same time he became a Canadian citizen.
Munsch has published over 54 stories; his books are loved by children and adults worldwide. Munsch is never afraid to break new ground, and challenge conventions and stereotypes. Take The Paper Bag Princess, for instance, which sees the princess take on the mantle of the brave and smart protagonist, as opposed to a helpless damsel. Nearly all of Munsch’s works are based on real kids, often ones he has met on his travels. Each book is dedicated to the child or children that inspired it.
The international bestseller Love You Forever, which started as a song, was originally written after Munsch and his wife had two stillborn babies, to help them deal with the grief.
In 1999, Munsch was made a Member of the Order of Canada.
