The Ohio Center for the Book

Welcome to DelMio’s page sponsored by the Ohio Center for the Book.

Here are the current Explorations of Ohio Center for the Book authors. All of these authors have some connection to Ohio. Many grew up and live in Ohio. We encourage you to explore further and see how Ohio informed their writing. Check back from time to time for new authors and new books.

Nikki Giovanni:

    Nikki Giovanni was born in Knoxville, Tenn., and grew up in Lincoln Heights, an all-black suburb of Cincinnati. She graduated with honors from Fisk University, her grandfather’s alma mater, in 1968; after graduating from Fisk, she attended the University of Pennsylvania and Columbia University. She published her first book of poetry, “Black Feeling Black Talk,” in 1968, and within the next year published a second book, thus launching her career as a writer.
   Among her many honors and awards, she was tapped for the Ohio Women’s Hall of Fame and named an Outstanding Woman of Tennessee.
   The author of some 30 books for both adults and children, Nikki Giovanni is a University Distinguished Professor at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Va.
   Check out DelMio’s presentation of her book, On My Journey Now. To learn more about Nikki Giovanni, CLICK HERE or go to the author’s Website.

Denise Fleming:

    Denise Fleming, it seems, was destined to be an artist. Her father built furniture, her mother was a skilled decorator, and her grandparents had artistic skills as well. “Of course, as a child I took all their talents for granted,” she said in an interview posted by Harcourt books. “It was just what they did.”
    She was born in Toledo and lives in the Toledo area today. Her most recent book, Beetle Bop, is explored here. A new book, a sequel, Buster Goes to Cowboy Camp, is due out this spring.
   Fleming’s books feature a spare but lyrical style of writing, and vividly colorful illustrations fashioned out of paper that she makes at her studio. This paper-making technique gives her art a three-dimensional look that makes her books so unique. You can learn more about the artist’s work in this SideTrip (Click to Beetle Bop main).
   Crtitics and judges have noticed her work. “In the Small, Small Pond,” published in 1994, was a Caldecott Honor Book. ClICK HERE to meet the author. Check out DelMio’s presentation of Beetle Bop.

R. L. Stine:

Says R.L. Stine, “My job is to make kids laugh and give them the creeps!” And he does it prolifically.
   R.L. Stine was born in Columbus, Ohio, in 1943. He wasn’t known as R.L. as a kid. They called him the much-less-author-sounding Bob. He’s been writing since he was a kid, ensconced in his room instead of going out to play as his mother begged him to do. Blame it on the old typewriter he found in the family attic. When he graduated from Ohio State University, he struck out for fame and fortune in New York City. Soon enough, he found it.
   In 1986, R.L. wrote his first teen horror novel, Blind Date, which became a best-seller. That led to more scary stuff, and in 1989 he created the Fear Street series. He has written more than 100 — yes, 100 — Fear Street and related series books.
   Then came the Goosebumps books and the Rotten School series. Nearly all of his books are aimed at young readers, except three adult thrillers: Superstitious, The Sitter and Eye Candy. ClICK HERE to meet the author. Check out DelMio’s presentation of Rotten School #12: Battle of the Dum Diddys.