Eve Merriam

Eve Merriam (1916–1992) was an American poet, playwright, lecturer, and author of more than 50 books for adults and children. Born Eva Moskovitz in Philadelphia, she earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 1937 and later worked as an advertising copywriter, radio writer, editor, and poet. Her first book, Family Circle (1946), won the Yale Younger Poets Prize.

Merriam became particularly known for her poetry and picture books for children, including The Inner City Mother Goose, Catch a Little Rhyme, Finding a Poem, and 12 Ways to Get to 11. She received the National Council of Teachers of English Award for Excellence in Poetry for Children in 1981.