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10-2010 Discovering the Unexpected: the Margaret Wise Brown Collection at Wyndham Robertson Library, Hollins University Beth S. Harris Hollins University, [email protected]

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Recommended Citation Harris, Beth S. Discovering the Unexpected: the Margaret Wise Brown Collection at Wyndham Robertson Library, Hollins University. Virginia Libraries, v. 56, n. 4 (Oct-Dec 2010): 26-30.

This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Special Collections, including Hollins History at Hollins Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Articles about Hollins and Special Collections by an authorized administrator of Hollins Digital Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected], [email protected]. PAGE 26 VIRGINIA LIBRARIES OCTOBER–DECEMBER 2010

Discovering the Unexpected: The Margaret Wise Brown Collection at Wyndham Robertson Library, Hollins University

by Beth S. Harris

argaret Wise Brown ing the program in the fall of was “the first author 1935, Brown soon fell under of picture books to the influence of Lucy Sprague Mbe recognized in her own right Mitchell, chair of the school. In … [and] the first author to make addition to teaching, Margaret the writing of picture books an also became involved in the art.”1 In fact, she also broke the Bank Street Writers Laboratory, mold of what was being written a group interested in applying for children during the 1930s and the latest scientific theories to 1940s. Fortunately for research- children’s stories. Referred to ers and aficionados of children’s as the here-and-now approach, literature, Brown’s legacy of their textbooks and readers innovation has been preserved at addressed the everyday world her alma mater, Hollins Univer- and concerns of children. The sity in Roanoke, Virginia. approach “represented a direct The Margaret Wise Brown challenge to the widely held Collection is housed in the Spe- view of librarians and publish- cial Collections Department at Wyndham Robertson Library, Hollins University. Brown’s Beth Harris is currently working at papers, along with the library’s the Wyndham Robertson Library collection of her books, com- at Hollins University in Roanoke, prise one of the most compre- Virginia. As special collections and hensive collections of Margaret government information librarian, Wise Brown materials in the she manages the rare book, manu- country. Behind this unique col- script, university archives, and Hol- lection is the fascinating story lins author collections. In addition, of Brown’s prolific career and how rite Hearsey. Five years after gradu- she oversees the library’s government the manuscripts found their way ation, Brown inscribed a copy of document collection received through to Hollins University. her first published book, When the the Federal Repository program. She has Born May 23, 1910, Margaret Wind Blew, to Hearsey, “Remem- also served as liaison librarian for both Wise Brown grew up in Brooklyn, bering the stumbling words that the sciences and fine arts divisions at New York, and attended her moth- led up to whatever clarity is here. Hollins and worked in the library’s cata- er’s alma mater, Hollins College And always thanking you for the loging and acquisitions departments. (as it was then called), where she first encouragement.”2 A few years Harris received her Bachelor of Music received an AB in English literature after graduation, Brown decided to Education at Houghton College (Hough- in 1932. Although not academically apply for Bank Street’s Cooperative ton, NY) and her Master of Science in inclined, Brown took an interest in School for Student Teachers in New Library Science from the University of writing due to the encouragement York City, a program of the Bureau North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She may of her literature professor Margue- of Educational Experiments. Enter- be reached at [email protected]. OCTOBER–DECEMBER 2010 VIRGINIA LIBRARIES PAGE 27

ers that fairy tales, myths, legends, and traditional nursery nonsense … comprised the best introduction to literature for the young.”3 Dur- ing this time, William R. Scott, a young publisher, met Lucy Sprague Mitchell, who encouraged him to there was a market for more of “devote his list to experimentally Margaret Wise Brown’s books. She tested, here-and-now-style chil- contacted Brown’s sister, Roberta dren’s books.”4 Scott was given an Brown Rauch, about reprinting office at Bank Street and eventu- some out-of-print titles. Rauch, who ally met Brown, who became his had gotten some of her late sister’s first editor in 1938. According to Hay. In addition to picture books, manuscripts published, had grown Leonard Marcus, “she was a highly many of her works were published weary of dealing with large pub- innovative juveniles editor, and in educational textbooks and some lishing and decided to work with throughout her career she played were even set to music. Her life was Gary. During one of Gary’s visits to impresario to the entire field, tak- tragically cut short when she died Vermont where Rauch lived, Rauch ing pleasure in discovering or fur- of an embolism in 1952 at the age casually mentioned a trunk full of thering the careers of illustrators of forty-two. Along with the clas- papers that had been languishing and writers such as Clement and sic titles Goodnight Moon, The Run- in her attic for the past thirty years. Edith Thacher Hurd, Garth Wil- away Bunny, and The Little Island Gary was immediately intrigued liams, Leonard Wisegard, Esphyr (Caldecott Medal, 1947), originally and excited over the trunk’s con- Slobodkina, Jean Charlot, and Ruth published during her lifetime, her tents: sixty-seven unpublished Krauss.”5 Brown published a num- works published posthumously manuscripts Margaret Wise Brown ber of her own books with Scott, continue to grow each year. had been working on before she but eventually moved on to other Along with the posthumous died. The cedar-lined chest also publishers. Brown was illustrated works, newly discovered works contained numerous pieces of cor- by Garth Williams, Clement Hurd, have renewed interest in Margaret respondence to her publishers and and Leonard Weisgard, among oth- Wise Brown. In the early 1990s, other individuals. Since unearth- ers, and sometimes wrote under Amy Gary, president of WaterMark ing Brown’s papers, Gary has spent the pseudonyms Juniper Sage, Press, a small publishing firm near time preparing many of these man- Golden MacDonald, and Timothy Birmingham, Alabama, thought uscripts for publication. PAGE 28 VIRGINIA LIBRARIES OCTOBER–DECEMBER 2010

Left, manuscript page from The Fathers Are Coming Home by Margaret Wise Brown, first published in 2010.

Below, letter from Margaret Wise Brown to Georges Duplaix (Simon & Schuster), May 16, 1952, Correspondence Series.

In the meantime, Gary told her grandmother, Fonnie Strang (Hollins, class of 1928), about the discovery. Strang, an active Hol- lins supporter, recognized that these papers with their connec- tion to her alma mater would be a and various organizations. While tremendous asset to their recently most of the letters are addressed to holds her academic records, pho- inaugurated children’s literature Brown, many contain her responses tographs, sound recordings, and program. She urged then-Hollins drafted on the original letters. articles written by Brown, as well president Maggie O’Brien to get in Subjects include contracts, royal- as articles and theses written about touch with Rauch about acquiring ties, copyright, and ideas for books her. the manuscripts and papers, which and songs. Major correspondents Many of the manuscripts have Rauch generously agreed to donate. include editors of the publish- notations and offer, along with After three years of working out ing companies Simon & Schuster, the correspondence, a glimpse into the details, the collection finally Harper & Brothers, and E. P. Dut- the writing and editing process. In arrived at Hollins in the spring of ton. Other correspondents include addition to the day-to-day busi- 1993. composers Dorothy Cadzow and ness of publishing, the letters also These papers include two hun- Ruth Cleary Patterson, illustrator reveal personal aspects of Brown’s dred pieces of correspondence, Garth Williams, photographer Ylla relationships with her editors and more than five hundred manu- (Camille Koffler), Harper & Broth- publishers. In a letter to Brown, scripts, music scores, papers relat- ers editor Ursula Nordstrom, law- Ursula Nordstrom (Harper & Bros.) ing to Brown’s death, and legal yer Harriet Pilpel, and members of reassures her that they will work records. The correspondence com- the Artists and Writers Guild. In out communication difficulties prises letters from Brown’s publish- addition, the University Archives and ends the letter with, “At the ers, editors, lawyer, collaborators, unit within Special Collections risk of sounding very stupid, I’d OCTOBER–DECEMBER 2010 VIRGINIA LIBRARIES PAGE 29

DAVID MAXSON

The Hollins Room, showing a portion of the Hollins Authors Collection, including the Margaret Wise Brown Collection.

like to say again how much hav- Margaret Wise Brown’s published ing even a small connection with Unpaid bills from books. Brown was a prolific writer, some of your books has meant to with nearly one hundred fifty titles me, as editor and just plain civil- the local pharmacy, to her name. She once stated that ian. We’ll now sing Hymn 303, she could write a story in twenty Love Ursula.”6 Not all of Brown’s a “French” cleaner in minutes but spent a year or more 9 frustrations were smoothed over so New York City, and rewriting it. The Margaret Wise easily, however. Georges Duplaix Brown book collection at Hollins, (Simon & Schuster) was visiting the local grocery store numbering more than 270 volumes France when he received an angry in thirteen different languages, letter from Brown, ending with provide insight into her is an excellent example of texts “Happy Fourteenth of July, and be character and life. and illustrations from what Mau- glad that the ocean is there. If you rice Sendak has described as the don’t make good your word to me Golden Age of children’s book pub- I will be over to shoot you with lishing in America.10 The diversity a bow and arrow in August. Love “Smokehouse Hams,” explained of Brown’s books at Hollins allows Margaret Wise Brown.”7 that “Tim” (a nickname) had pur- older readers to enjoy the nostalgic Even the legal papers, complete chased some hams from her but feeling of the early editions from with “legalese” terminology, reveal never paid for them. “Tim and I their own youth, while younger interesting tidbits of Brown’s per- were best friends … I do not want readers can be introduced to book sonal history. Unpaid bills from to do anything which will be design and illustration styles of the local pharmacy, a “French” embarrassing to anyone but I know the period. Both will be delighted cleaner in New York City, and the that Tim wanted me to have pay- by new interpretations through local grocery store provide insight ment for my hams.”8 modern illustrators. Margaret Wise into her character and life. A let- In addition to the manuscripts, Brown still touches readers today ter written to Brown’s lawyer, from the Wyndham Robertson Library with The Runaway Bunny and Good- one of Brown’s friends who owned has a substantial collection of night Moon. Some lesser-known PAGE 30 VIRGINIA LIBRARIES OCTOBER–DECEMBER 2010

works in the collection, such as A made clear as I read through the Marguerite C. Hearsey, inscription Pussycat’s Christmas and Baby Ani- correspondence. One can reach in a copy of When the Wind Blew, mals, have been paired with new out and touch the same things Wyndham Robertson Library, Hol- illustrators and appeal to younger Margaret Wise Brown touched and lins University, Roanoke, Virginia. generations. Lastly, the collection created. After working many hours 3. Leonard S. Marcus, Margaret includes new works discovered on this collection, I felt that I had a Wise Brown: Awakened by the Moon within the last decade, including personal encounter with Margaret (Boston: Beacon Press, 1992), 53. Mouse of My Heart and A Child is Wise Brown herself. 4. Ibid., 89. Born, which are being read for the Numerous articles, theses, 5. Ibid., 2. first time and have yet to stand the books, conference papers, and 6. Ursula Nordstrom, letter to test of time. musical recordings have resulted Margaret Wise Brown, TL (type- The Margaret Wise Brown papers from research in the Margaret written letter), March 12, 1951, have seen frequent use since their Wise Brown Collection, including Margaret Wise Brown Papers, acquisition in 1993. Jake Wheeler, Leonard Marcus’s Margaret Wise “Incoming Correspondence, Pub- college professor emeritus, reviewed Brown: Awakened by the Moon, Cyn- lishers,” Wyndham Robertson the collection when it first arrived. thia Rylant’s Margaret, Frank and Library, Hollins University, Roa- A popular speaker on Hollins his- Andy: Three Writers’ Stories, and the noke, Virginia. tory and lore, he has often delved music recording The Noon Balloon: 7. Margaret Wise Brown, letter into this collection to enhance Art Songs for Children by Sandra to Georges Duplaix, TL, May 16, his presentations on Margaret Summer. Other potential uses of 1952, Margaret Wise Brown Papers, Wise Brown. In an address to Hol- this collection include such topics “Outgoing Correspondence, Pub- lins alumnae, Wheeler stated that as Brown’s literary development, lishers,” Wyndham Robertson “reading old manuscripts and see- women authors and the publish- Library, Hollins University, Roa- ing the correspondence has given ing industry (rights, fair treat- noke, Virginia. me not only much amusement but ment, etc.), and literary study. In 8. Mary Watkins McLaugh- insight into the life of a remarkable addition, correspondents such as lin, letter to Harriett F. Pilpel, TL, young woman who went places Clement Hurd, Dorothy Cadzow, November 28, 1952, Margaret after starting at Hollins.”11 Another and Elizabeth Randolph may be of Wise Brown Papers, “Legal Papers,” researcher who has used these interest to researchers. Wyndham Robertson Library, Hol- papers several times noted that she Interestingly, Brown did not lins University, Roanoke, Virginia. found articles, letters, and theses write out of her love for children 9. Margaret Wise Brown, “Writ- that she didn’t know existed and but rather out of her love for lan- ing for Children,” Hollins Alumnae is “eager to return and give those guage. In a 1949 Hollins alumnae Magazine (Winter 1949): 1. papers my attention… . Anyone magazine article, Brown said, “It 10. Marcus, Margaret Wise Brown, interested in the life and work of is not hard to trace an interest in dust jacket. Margaret Wise Brown would find children’s books through a love of 11. Jake Wheeler, “Goodnight a trip to Hollins University more the English language. I don’t think Moon! Margaret Wise Brown and than worthwhile.”12 Recently a I am essentially interested in chil- the Hollins Connection,” address, visitor commented, “Where else dren’s books. I’m interested in writ- alumnae reunion, Hollins Col- can you hold in your hands not ing, and in pictures. I’m interested lege, Roanoke, Virginia, October 9, only Brown’s death certificate, but in people and in children because 1996, Margaret Wise Brown Papers, read scores of unpublished works, they are people — little primitive “Materials About,” Wyndham Rob- examine accounting records, or people — keener in some ways then ertson Library, Hollins University, sift through correspondence? The they themselves will be later on. Roanoke, Virginia. collection is wonderful, including And, I am interested in simplic- 12. Candice Ransom, letter to not only what might be expected ity. In children’s books all these author, TL, August 10, 2004, Special but also esoteric, unusual, and sur- combine.”14 Collections Correspondence Files, prising items.”13 Wyndham Robertson Library, Hol- In arranging, indexing, and lins University, Roanoke, Virginia. Notes preparing a finding aid for these 13. Rory Kraft, email to author, papers, I have found they make 1. Barbara Bader, American Picture- October 14, 2010. history come alive for me as well as books from Noah’s Art to the Beast 14. Brown, “Writing for Chil- researchers and casual observers. Within (New York: Macmillan Pub- dren,” 1. VL The laborious process of writing lishing Co., 1976), 252. and negotiating with publishers is 2. Margaret Wise Brown to