Most of us either grew up on--or are currently raising our children on--a steady diet of books by Margaret Wise Brown. In addition to her classic Goodnight Moon (which, after 2 children, I know so by heart that I often have to make sure I'm turning the pages correctly as I recite it), she wrote (among many others) The Runaway Bunny, Big Red Barn and my particular favorite of late, The Color Kittens. Her books are, quite simply, pure poetry. To celebrate what would have been her 100th birthday this coming Sunday, May 23rd, her acclaimed biographer, Leonard Marcus, will lead a walking tour of her New York.
Find out where the glamorous author (and hello, check out that picture, she was gorgeous!) lived, wrote, taught 2nd-graders, had cocktails with Ursula Nordstrom and H.A. Rey, and just possibly hatched plans for The Golden Egg Book and Great Green Room! The fun starts at 2 pm, at the southwest corner of Fifth Ave. & 10th St.Tickets $20; reserve early by contacting Leonard directly at Leonardsma AT aol DOT com. (from the press release, except for my parenthetical shout out to her good looks).
Want to learn more about Margaret Wise Brown? Check out Leonard Marcus' highly praised biography of her, Margaret Wise Brown: Awakened by the Moon.
Not going to be in NYC this weekend, but you will be at American Library Association meeting in DC in late June? Stop by the Harper booth on Monday, June 28th for some birthday cake! (I'll post a reminder and details closer to the date).
I simply loved reading "Goodnight Moon" to my children.
My 19 year old daughter just finished her first year in college so it's been a while. But earlier in the year she was going through her old books (when she was two she would go to her room to "play books" so she kind of loves her her some books) to find books to bring to a day care class she was observing for a class she was taking.
She found her copy of "Goodnight Moon" and brought it in and asked "Mom, has anyone ever read this in a normal voice or is it always read in a quiet, night-night voice?"
I know I never read it in any other way but it did make me wonder.
Posted by: MarthaD | May 18, 2010 at 06:27 PM
Oh, how I wish I could be there. I have such fond memories of reading Goodnight Moon to Vance when he was small.
Posted by: bermudaonion (Kathy) | May 18, 2010 at 06:51 PM
How many books are there that so many moms can say they've memorized? I'd bet not many...
Posted by: Robin Antalek | May 19, 2010 at 12:26 PM
Oooh, I enjoy her, have ordered the biography, and wish I were to be in NYC this weekend.
Posted by: Mimi | May 19, 2010 at 02:17 PM