He was associated with the most prestigious science fiction magazine of the era, Astounding Science Fiction, from the time its editor John W.

Career Writing career ĭel Rey first started publishing stories in pulp magazines in the late 1930s, at the dawn of the so-called Golden Age of Science Fiction. In reality, the accident only killed his first wife. He also claimed that his family was killed in a car accident in 1935. However, his sister has confirmed that his name was in fact Leonard Knapp. He was the author of many books in the juvenile Winston Science Fiction series, and the editor at Del Rey Books, the fantasy and science fiction imprint of Ballantine Books, along with his fourth wife Judy-Lynn del Rey.ĭel Rey often told people his real name was Ramon Felipe Alvarez-del Rey (and sometimes even Ramon Felipe San Juan Mario Silvio Enrico Smith Heartcourt-Brace Sierra y Alvarez del Rey y de los Verdes ). Lester del Rey (June 2, 1915 – May 10, 1993) was an American science fiction author and editor. This carefully crafted updating begs to be read aloud for its rich, rhythmic storytelling flow, and the suitably oversize illustrations amplify the text.Del Rey's 'Spawning Ground' was the cover story in the September 1961 issue of If School Library JournalĪ great American hero comes fully to life in this epic retelling filled with glorious, detailed watercolors. Booklist, starred reviewĪnother winning collaboration from the master storyteller and gifted artist of Tales of Uncle Remus fame. The story is told with rhythm and wit, humor and exageration, and with a heart-catching immediacy that connects the human and the natural world. * This is a tall tale and heroic myth, a celebration of the human spirit.

Nothing can stop John Henry, and his courage stays with us forever. He's stronger than ten men and can dig through a mountain faster than a steam drill. He grew so fast, he burst right through the porch roof, and laughed so loud, he scared the sun Soon John Henry is swinging two huge sledgehammers to build roads, pulverizing boulders, and smashing rocks to smithereens. When John Henry was born the birds, bears, rabbits, and even a unicorn came to see him. Julius Lester and Jerry Pinkney's warm, humorous retelling of a popular African-American folk ballad.

John henry by lester