John Warren
Stewig
MEMORIAL SERVICE:
10:30 AM on Saturday, September 14, 2024
at
All Saints Cathedral Church
818 E. Juneau Avenue
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202
MEMORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS SUGGESTED TO
Saint John’s on the Lake
or
All Saints Cathedral Church
John Warren Stewig
Born January 7, 1937, to John George and Marguerite (Willcox) Stewig in Waukesha, Wisconsin and died at home at Saint John’s On The Lake on September 6, 2024.
After completing high school, John earned B.S., M.S. and PhD. Degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Specializing in teaching literacy skills from kindergarten through supervising doctoral candidates in graduate school, he also did lectures and workshops for teachers, librarians and parents in 27 states and 2 Canadian provinces and was involved with International Board of Books for Youth included presenting at the conference at Groningen, Friesland. He taught children in the Monona Grove public schools (6 years), and future teachers at Purdue University (6 years) and The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (31 years).
His published works include articles in 48 different periodicals, and instructional language arts series, grades kindergarten through eighth grade, 13 methods books for adults, and 13 picture books for children’s pleasure reading. His children’s picture book, Princess Florecita and the Iron Shoes received an Aesop Award from the American Folklore society. A different book, Mother Holly, was also printed in three additional languages: Italian (La Signora Neve), Dutch (Vrouw Holly) and French (Madame La Neige). An article printed in The Writing Teacher was given distinguished achievement award from the Educational Press Association of America. A general archive is included in the Children’s Theatre archive at the Arizona State University Library, Tempe, Arizona; a children’s book archive is part of the Kerlan Collection, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis.
Active in many professional teaching/learning groups, he was twice elected by the American Library Association to serve on the Caldecott Committee, which gives an award for the most distinguished picture book of the year. The second time he was chosen chair of the committee. Later, he was elected to serve on the Siebert Committee, which chooses the best information book of the year. He was past president of the Wisconsin Council of Teachers of English. When he was elected president of the National Council of Teachers of English, it had 70,000 members and subscribers, making it the largest subject matter organization in the U.S.
He is survived by his spouse of 61 years, Richard Bradley, who was an unfailing supporter of his work, and by myriad teachers and librarians who read and implemented many of his ideas and the countless children who enjoyed his picture books to this day.
Memorial Service will take place at 10:30 AM on Saturday, September 14, 2024, at All Saints Cathedral Church, 818 E. Juneau Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53202.
Memorials may be given to Saint John’s on the Lake or All Saints Cathedral Church.
Dr. Stewig was a very special man. I took “Children’s Lit” courses from him in graduate school at UWM. He was an inspiration to so many of us. I was so honored when he came to my retirement dinner in 2001 after I retired from my position of assistant principal at Luther Burbank School in Milwaukee. I still have a copy of the book he wrote. He was a gem of a man, so very special.
My sincere condolences to Richard on the passing of this wonderful man. May you find strength and calm during this time of sadness and sorrow. May his memory be a blessing.
This man contributed so much to my love of literature for children…and the joy of sharing books with my students. I was lucky enough to partake of many of his classes and each one enriched my understanding of ways to invite children to explore and expand their imaginations with delightful literature. He knew the power of those words and illustrations, like no other…Thank you, John Stewig.. May you rest in peace.