Thank You, Mr. Falker

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. She lived on the farm with her mom and grandparents until 1949.

Her parents divorced when she was 3, and both her father and mother moved back into their parents’ homes. She spent the school year with her mother and the summers with her dad. In both households, she was the apple of her grandparents’ eyes, and these relationships have greatly influenced her life and work.

In 1949, she moved with her mother and brother to Coral Gables, Florida, and then to Oakland, California, where she lived for most of her young life. She attended university, majored in Fine Art, earned a graduate degree, and received a Ph.D. in Art History. For a time, she restored ancient pieces of art for museums. She later became the mother of two children, Steven and Traci, and devoted much of her time to their education.

She did not start writing children’s books until she was 41 years old. Growing up in a family of incredible storytellers, she began writing down the stories she told and illustrating them.

Patricia Polacco now lives in Union City. Born to parents of Russian and Ukrainian descent on one side and Irish on the other, she grew up in both California and Michigan. She 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. She is deeply involved in inner-city projects that promote the peaceful resolution of conflict and encourage art and literacy programs. She has a grown son and a daughter.

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