Who Was Charles Schulz by Joan Holub

 Who Was…? biography series for middle grade charms with the story of Charles Schulz – the cartoonist who created the beloved Peanuts gang.

Charles Schulz (1922-2000) was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and was nicknamed Sparky from childhood.

With no TV back then, he listened to radio programs with his parents. Thus, the characters had to be imagined.

In those times, the comic books were very popular. He always carried a pencil in his pocket and copied comic characters.

After art school and during the Great Depression, he took any job he could. In his spare time, he kept on improving his drawing skills.

After the war, he got a job lettering the words in comic strips, and was also hired to teach at the Art Instruction Schools. His fellow instructors included struggling artists, too, but they learned from one another and helped each other improve.

Then, his work started appearing in a newspaper, and magazine. His characters were relatable and people loved them. By 1955, his Peanuts characters were in one hundred newspapers. By 1958, Peanuts was in 395 newspapers.

Meanwhile, he got married and had children. He had his routine/his work but he also dedicated some time to his children.

In 1962, he published a book which was about the simple pleasure that make people happy. The book became the New York Time best-seller.

Then, the time seemed right to try the Peanuts animated TV special. A Charlie Brown Christmas became a big success and won an Emmy Award. There were many more animated TV specials.

“The only thing I ever wanted to be was a cartoonist. That’s my life. Drawing.” – Charles Schulz

This biography exemplifies a man who lived during a time when imagination had to be used in order to see characters. His life was drawing and that was his driven force throughout his life. He was passionate about what he did, and that took him beyond his imagination, leading to animated movies based on his characters. 

This illustrated biography for young readers, ages 8-12, is presented in a relatable way, with simple sentences, and insightful inserts. 

Published by Penguin Workshop in 2022

 

 

 

TRENDING INSPIRATION: Drawing was his life and his passion, which took him beyond his imagination.

 

Traits:

·         With no TV, only radio, he had to use his imagination to see characters.

·         During his times, the comic books were very popular. He always carried a pencil in his pocket and copied comic characters.

·         In his spare time, he kept on improving his drawing skills.

·         His first job closest to drawing was lettering the words in comic strips.

·         When he taught art, he struggled like many other artists, but the key was they supported each other and learned from each other how to improve their art.

·         Then, his work started appearing in a newspaper, and magazine. His characters were relatable and people loved them.

·         Then, the time seemed right to try the Peanuts animated TV special. A Charlie Brown Christmas became a big success and won an Emmy Award.

 

 

“I have a new philosophy. I’m only going to dread one day at a time.” – Charles Schulz

“Life is like a ten speed bicycle. Most of us have gears we never use.” – Charles Schulz

“If I were given the opportunity to present a gift to the next generation, it would be the ability for each individual to learn to laugh at himself.” – Charles Schulz

 

 

 

FURTHER INSPIRATION AND RECOMMENDATION:

 Charles’ words - “My life has no purpose, no direction, no aim, no meaning, and yet I’m happy. I can’t figure it out. What am I doing right?” - reminded me of Sadhguru’s words.

Life is not about searching for purpose but about learning how to be happy. Once we’re happy the purpose will follow.

This subject is further explored in his book – “Inner Engineering” by Sadhguru