Zerna Addis Sharp (August 12, 1889 - June 17, 1981) was an U.S. author, writer and teacher. She became known for creating the Dick and Jane beginning readers, and many other readers for children. Sharp noted the reduced reading ability of children during her travels and urged a new reading format for primers. She suggested that primers introduce a word at a time to new readers, and the Dick and Jane primers adhered to this format. The names "Dick" and "Jane" were chosen because they were easy to sound. The primers were sold from 1927 to 1973.
Sharp was born in Hillisburg, Clinton County, Indiana. She died in Frankfort, Indiana at the age of 91.
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| Name | Sharp, Zerna |
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| Date of birth | August 12, 1889 |
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| Date of death | June 17, 1981 |
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Famous quotes containing the word sharp:
“Everything I ever learned as a small boy came from my father. And I never found anything he ever told me to be wrong or worthless. The simple lessons he taught me are as sharp and clear in my mind, as if I had heard them only yesterday.”
—Philip Dunne (1908–1992)