Bill Wallace was an American author, born on August 1, 1947, and passed away on January 30, 2012. He was best known for his children's books, which often featured animals in key roles and as main characters. His love for animals was reflected in his writing, with his stories offering adventure and comedy that appealed to young audiences.
Wallace was raised in Oklahoma, where he developed a love for the outdoors through activities such as horseback riding, camping, and fishing. These experiences often found their way into his stories, adding a level of authenticity that resonated with his readers. Before becoming an author, Wallace worked as a teacher, eventually becoming a principal and physical education teacher at West Elementary School in Chickasha, Oklahoma.
Wallace's writing career began when he started telling stories to his fourth-grade students to keep them quiet. His students loved his stories, which encouraged him to turn them into "real" books. His first book, "A Dog Called Kitty," was a bestseller in 1992. This success was followed by numerous children's state awards and the Arrell Gibson Lifetime Achievement Award for Children's Literature from the Oklahoma Center for the Book. Some of his most notable works include "A Dog Called Kitty," "Trapped in Death Cave," and "Squirm."
Wallace was a popular speaker at schools and universities, sharing his love for storytelling and writing with students and educators. His contributions to children's literature have been recognized with several awards, including the Bluebonnet Award from the Texas Association of School Librarians and Children's Round Table, the Sequoyah Children's Book Award from the Oklahoma State Department of Education, the Central Missouri State University Award for Excellence in Children's Literature, and the Nebraska Golden Sowers Award from the Nebraska Library Association.