Comments on: Who would we put on our walls?

By: Annie

Annie — Tue, 08 May 2012 01:44:00 +0000

I think it depends on what age you’re looking for. If you’re including picture books, I’d argue that Margaret Wise Brown was the unparalleled genius of our time. Clement Hurd once said she was the only adult he’d ever met who truly remembered what it was like to be a child. Her rhythm and word choice are perfect, and she bears rereading hundreds of times in a row — a standard that really only picture book authors need to live up to.

By: List-making « Mock Child's Play Site

List-making « Mock Child's Play Site — Mon, 07 May 2012 15:21:15 +0000

[...] [...]

By: Ron McCutchan

Ron McCutchan — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 16:15:15 +0000

H’mm….I was going to argue against Tolkien, since–though I know THE HOBBIT was intended for children, I think it crossed over fairly quickly, and I don’t know whether he himself saw himself as a children’s author (not a Tolkien expert by any road). But I suppose by the same argument, that might exclude Lewis Carroll–equally an academician and a one (two) hit wonder….but ALICE seems so much more central to the children’s canon. THE HOBBIT etc. cast far more of a shadow on the full genre of fantasy, not just children’s literature.

By: Irene

Irene — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 19:44:44 +0000

Beverly Cleary.

By: leda

leda — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 22:14:20 +0000

Lucy Maud Montgomery. Wanda Gag. Else Holmelund Minarik. Marguerite Henry. Virginia Hamilton. Ellen Raskin. P.L. Travers.

By: Sarah H

Sarah H — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 14:35:32 +0000

Roger– Have you seen the new exhibit space at the de Grummond? They solved this problem by using a smaller font, and going three rows deep. Of course, they could also limit themselves to those authors and artists represented in the collection, and thereby avoid the dubious process of selecting a canon…

By: Alex Flinn

Alex Flinn — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 02:01:13 +0000

Definitely Dahl. Women . . . Sydney Taylor? Maud Hart Lovelace? Marguerite Henry? I don’t think modern kids read any of them (except Dahl) but they certainly influenced my generation of writers. Does that count?

I envy you getting to see the great Horne in action. In my singing days, I got to take master classes with both Eleonor Steber and Birgit Nilsson. I was far more excited about Nilsson because she WAS Nilsson, but I have to say she seemed a bit confused by the coloratura French thingy my voice teacher unwisely chose to have me sing for her! Just goes to show: Know your audience!

By: Lolly Robinson

Lolly Robinson — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 21:00:48 +0000

What about Beatrix Potter?
Also, have to note that one summer when I sang in the Harvard Summer Chorus we kept having to switch rehearsal halls because of renovations in our usual venue. This was also before Paine Hall got better lighting and air conditioning. About half the time the director would announce that we would be “in Paine” for our next rehearsal.

By: Cathy Mealey

Cathy Mealey — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 14:52:59 +0000

I would add Tolkien, but also male and white.

By: ~mwt

~mwt — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 10:18:06 +0000

I think I’d swap Nesbit for Collodi in a heartbeat. I see why Anderson is important, but I don’t like his stories, so he wouldn’t go on MY wall.