Wanda Gág: A Life of Art and Stories

A Life of Art and Stories

2009
Author:

Karen Nelson Hoyle

A lively and accessible biography of the beloved author of Millions of Cats

Karen Nelson Hoyle tells the story of Wanda Gág’s eccentric life as a children’s book author and traces the significant contributions she made to the genre. Drawn from extensive research of the artist’s personal and professional papers and correspondence with friends and contemporaries, Hoyle presents a rich portrait of a gifted artist.

Packed with information, thoughtfully conceived and executed, this is an important and fundamental study.

Horn Book Magazine

At the young age of just 15, Wanda Gág received her dying father’s last wish that she take up his dream of becoming a successful artist: “What papa couldn’t do, Wanda would have to finish.” Wanda assumed the role of head of the household and became the sole means of support for her sick mother and six siblings. Although times were tough, Wanda persevered and eventually became a celebrated artist and author living in New York City.

Karen Nelson Hoyle tells the story of Wanda Gág’s eccentric life as a children’s book author and traces the significant contributions she made to the genre. Drawn from extensive research of the artist’s personal and professional papers and correspondence with friends and contemporaries, Hoyle presents a rich portrait of a gifted artist.

Karen Nelson Hoyle is professor and curator of the Children’s Literature Research Collection at the University of Minnesota. She has served as chair of the Caldecott Award committee and member of the Newbery Award Committee. She is the author of Danish Children’s Literature in English.

Packed with information, thoughtfully conceived and executed, this is an important and fundamental study.

Horn Book Magazine