Nancy Hudgins

The 1956 cover is by Ronni Solbert. It has a light lemon yellow background. A tree to the left has branches with lime green leaves covering most of the top third, with the title in a black font and the author's and illustrator's names laid over it. The middle third is a boy leaning against the tree on the left, a wooden fence in yellow and brown in the middle, and an older girl taking a younger girl by the hand on the sidewalk. To the right of them are two boys playing stick ball. The lower third is two kids kneeling/squatting playing marbles.

This 2007 cover by fine artist Faith Ringgold has a background in shades of red. It's a drawing of a presumably Bronzeville house, a straight on focus of the facade. The house is brick red. The steps are a little lighter, and the sidewalk is even lighter. Two girls stand on the stoop looking out. A boy is climbing the stairs on the left. In front is a girl on the left, pushing a baby stroller. On the right is a tree. Between the baby stroller and the tree, in the middle is a boy running towards the left trying to catch a baseball with a glove outstretched. All wear brightly colored clothes of differing colors. On the facade of the house to the left are a mother and child looking out the window at the tableau below. All of the people are in shades of brown--because it's Bronzeville.

🎈BOOKS GOOD ENOUGH FOR YOU #nonfictionkidlit

Ch. 11: Bronzeville Boys and Girls

#UrsulaNordstrom, who wrote poetry as a teenager, is thrilled to edit this book of poems by Pulitzer Prize winner Gwendolyn Brooks, pub’d, 1956, reissued, 2007. Ursula urges her to write a YA novel. #abramsbooks

Great claim to fame!

I'm in that group of possibly more books owned than read. It's a bad habit. I don't usually watch biographies on TV/streaming, but I'll check it out. Which two or so did you like best?

Oh, also a big fan of Nancy Drew. Also, the Hardy Boys ( those were my brother’s too).

My older brother got Abe Lincoln, Frontier Boy, for Christmas. I was sick that Christmas, so I laid on the coach and read it, starting my love of biographies.

It's a great one! What were the first books you read?

The first book I read was an imagined biography of Abraham Lincoln--and I've been reading nonfiction ever since. Thanks for the tip of Ben and Me. I'll check it out!

It was so interesting to read that Ursula didn't get it at first--her eye was usually unerring. A masterful book--the first of six Harold books.

The cover is a brownish purple. The title is in large rose-colored type on the left side of the upper half. Below it is the author's name. Harold is in the lower right quadrant with a "purple" crayon in his hand. He has drawn squiggling lines in what Crayola called "ultraviolet" purple over much of the cover. He's wearing light blue "footie" one-piece pajamas.

🎈BOOKS GOOD ENOUGH FOR YOU #nonfictionkidlit

Ch. 10: Harold and the Purple Crayon

#UrsulaNordstrom initially misses the creativity of Crockett Johnson’s manuscript and sets it on her Confused Table. Upon re-readings, realizes her mistake and buys it. #abramsbooks

A metalwork door on the facade. Above the door, also in metal are two quotes from A Hole Is To Dig, namely, “A hole is to dig” and “A book is to look at.” Underneath it says, Ruth Krauss.

Same picture, but showing an enlargement of the quotes, so that they are readable.

Visited L. A.’s Central Library yesterday, and looked what I found on the Bradley Wing! Kudos to the architects and planners.
@lapubliclibrary.bsky.social
#kidlit

The cover is a light lime green. The Title is in black letters at the top, followed by the subtitle. Underneath, and still in the upper third, is a drawing within a white circle by Maurice of two kids. Mid-cover are the author's and illustrator's names. The lower third is another, larger drawing by Maurice of a kid jumping rope and other kids (also a dog and a cat, watching. This drawing is within a larger, oblong, white circle.

BOOKS GOOD ENOUGH FOR YOU #nonfictionkidlit

Ch. 9: A Hole Is To Dig

#UrsulaNordstrom is introduced to Maurice Sendak. When Ruth Krauss sends this manuscript, Ursula can’t find a prominent artist—then remembers Maurice. A brilliant pairing that brought Ursula joy! #abramsbooks

Feels like Van Gogh!

I’m sure that first page got your attention!

So do I!

I bet he is—it would be in keeping with how I think of him. I’ll look for it, thanks.

That’s very funny! Ditto.

Sounds like a fun project! Over the next week or so, I’ll be posting about 8 more chapters in my book about 20th century children’s literature.

Love this!

Loved the book; don’t want the movie to ruin it—but glad you like it.

Thanks for the tip. I’ll check it out.

Mine too.

Well said.

Funny how a classic book will stick with you.

It’s a classic!

For me too. Possibly, ever.

Yep. Elwyn Brooks White Nickname: Andy.

Hard act to follow

Get him in the game!

It’s a classic!

It’s a classic for a reason.