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This bio about children‘s author Margaret Wise Brown (The Runaway Bunny, Goodnight Moon) is a soft pick. Interesting information about her life (much of it apparently taken from her own journals) but the tone of the book was oddly stilted and dispassionate. Even the description of Brown‘s death was so curt and matter-of-fact that I read right over it and had to go back. And several of Brown‘s life choices left me questioning her judgment.

The more I learn about Margaret Wise Brown, the more fascinating I find her.

Terribly interesting New Yorker article here:
https://tinyurl.com/NYmargaretwisebrown

I just ordered her 2017 biography (tagged). When I‘m done, I‘m going to visit her papers (I had no idea they were so close!)…& maybe even try to seek out her gravesite in Maine.

Moxie is upset about the grisly rabbit details…but we‘re trying not to dwell.

A bright light snuffed out way too early, Margaret Wise Brown helped revolutionize education in New York by writing education materials for students and teachers, as well as the publishing industry by introducing elegant picture books meant to connect with children depending on their age and interests. Her personal life was fraught with complicated and scandalous relationships that affected her writing and gave us the stories we treasure today.

I am fascinated by Brown's life and had to get some lesser known books out of the library! #Unpopularopinion but I DETEST Goodnight Moon. I now understand that Brown was inspired by Gertrude Stein's repetitive style and adapted it well for children's books. I do think she's got a wonderful imagination and The Color Kittens is an all time favorite! See below for a spoiler about Robin's Room...

Apparently Margaret Wise Brown was a New Yorker, which I didn't know. The book says she was born in Brooklyn and moved to Long Island at age 4. I got excited... then they said Beechhurst and I blurted out loud, "That's not the island, that's Queens!" Lol... technically still ON Long Island but a city borough, and a ritzy one at that. I'm not sure the island was separated as such in 1910.

So excited to dive into my summer read stack- once my MLIS classes are complete, of course.

I love picking up a random book and learning so much about someone whose name I barley knew to begin with. An excellent read.

I knew nothing about Margaret Wise Brown before reading this, other than her connection to Hollins University. It was nice to learn more about her, but the writing style was too choppy, repetitive and disjointed for my taste.

I do want to visit her little writing oasis up in Maine! Sounds like the perfect getaway from reality.

"The reviews of Goodnight Moon were positive...However, the head librarian at the New York Public Library...saw little need for a go-to-sleep book; she refused to purchase the book for her library."

Wow...

Next read dictated by being the one thing I have checked out from the library that I can't renew.

"As she sped down the slope, the book crystallized in her mind. She settled into the warm, tiny shack and dashed off a story about a child who tells his mother he is going to run away."
The Idea & writing of the Runaway Bunny happened on a hike on Greylock Mountain, MA. A book that my son loved and we acted out over & over & over...This biography is evoking so many joyful memories of reading with my son.?❤️ #MargaretWiseBrown #childrensbooks

#LitsyAtoZ challenge #LetterXdone . Now that I finished reading X (Sue Grafton) - fast paced, a few simultaneous mysteries, intriguing characters & puzzles to be solved- just the right familiarity for me to relax into- began reading this biography of Margaret Wise Brown. Forward & Note from the Author have reeled me in.

Things I wish this book did:
1) cite sources in text, not as backmatter
2) stop telling us how people with depression make everyone else miserable

At a fav local indie bookstore for trivia tonight and could resist treating myself to this! Excited to read soon!

#bookmail #BookIndulgence #booksale
Got these at a 20% off plus gift cards from B & N last week. Couldn't resist. Starting to feel overwhelmed by TBR stacks! Help! Definitely #BookAddiction
Plus I have library holds. 📚📚📚😵

Loki has joined me for #LitsyPartofOne and we're going to try to finish "In the Great Green Room" tonight.

Hooray! It just arrived! So excited to start this later. 😃

Okay, so, the best thing ever is when you get a book shipment notification while you're hanging out on Litsy. I'm so looking forward to reading this book!