Leonard S. Marcus

Children's Book Historian, Author, Critic

Reviews

MINDERS OF MAKE-BELIEVE: IDEALISTS, ENTREPRENEURS, AND THE SHAPING OF AMERICAN CHILDREN'S LITERATURE (Houghton Mifflin) Minders of Make-Believe is the first-ever history of American children's book publishing, from colonial times to Harry Potter. — New York Times Book Review Editor's Choice selection — NPR Fresh Air Best Nonfiction Book for Summer Reading — Los Angeles Times Book Review "Best Nonfiction Books of 2008" "In this enlightening, vivid history, Marcus unravels many of the myths about children's literature. Children's Books, he writes, are 'messages forged at the crossroads of commerce and culture.'" "Marcus chronicles the fortunes and misfortunes of publishers, editors, librarians, and just about everyone else concerned with the making and distribution of children's books since speakers of English landed on these shores. . . . The book is full of . . . stories of strong personalities and alliances. Equally compelling is the picture of the way publishing has always reflected society itself—its values, its technology, its corporate structures. . . . For anyone associated with children's books or, indeed, for anyone interested in our social and intellectual history, this is an enthralling and richly rewarding read." - Joanna Long, The Horn Book (starred featured lead review) "A tour de force of research, . . . insightful reportage, and critical evaluation of both large trends and significant individual titles. . . .Marcus' approach and tone are always—and irresistibly—well informed, sensible, and intelligent. . . . It is hard to image any issue that he has overlooked, and the resulting book is, in a word, 'indispensable.'" - Michael Cart, Booklist (starred review) "[A] lively, savvy work. . . . Children's books have never been isolated from the rest of American culture, we see in Marcus' nuanced and knowledgeable account. Vividly capturing the forceful personalities who shaped the genre, he chronicles their contributions in an engrossing narrative that shows the industry has stripped off those those white gloves to become more diverse and democratic." - Los Angeles Times Book Review "With Minders of Make-Believe, Leonard Marcus secures his place as this country's preeminent minder of children's literature. This investigation of those whose shaped America's culture of childhood —from America's own Colonial childhood to the present day—is a thorough, and thoroughly fascinating, account of American children's literature and how it grew. - Jean Nathan, author of The Secret Life of the Lonely Doll: In Search of Dare Wright "Excellent . . . A story entertainingly populated with colorful characters from Benjamin Franklin to E. B. White. [Marcus] is a master of the brief, revealing anecdote. . . . In writing, as in photography, a close-up can result in shallow depth-of-field. Marcus avoids such blurring by highlighting children's publishing against the background of the rest of literature. He is an encyclopedia on this vast topic. . . . It's a lively spectacle, this parade down the long and winding road from the New-England Primer to Heather Has Two Mommies. "- Washington Post Book World "Marcus —drawing on years of research— masterfully pulls together strands of history and literature to show how the answer to the question of 'What should children read?' has changed radically over the past couple of centuries. . . . ‘Must’ reading for anyone who loves children's literature, as well as for those interested in an unusual cultural history book." - Karen MacPherson, Scripps Howard News Service "Meticulously documented and beautifully written . . . Mr. Marcus, a leading authority on the history of children's literature, knows where all the bodies are buried; he leaves no editorial backstabbing or authorial machination unrecorded in this strangely gripping inside story." - New York Sun "A brilliant [book] and required reading for anyone . . . and everyone involved in children's books with an eye to where we've been and where we're going." - Elizabeth Bird, Fuse # 8 Production blog "Marcus takes all of this history—showing us the powers behind the scenes, the corporate and economic intrigues of publishing, as well as the talented writers and artists who create the books— and turns it into a page-turning wonderland." - New Orleans Times-Picayune "Teachers may have a little extra time for reading over the summer . . . and one possibility might be this substantial work. Children's literature scholar Leonard Marcus provides a rich in-depth look at the history of children's books and the personalities both of the authors and those working behind the scenes." - Susan Dove Lempke, International Reading Association website

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GOLDEN LEGACY: HOW GOLDEN BOOKS WON CHILDREN'S HEARTS, CHANGED PUBLISHING FOREVER, AND BECAME AN AMERICAN ICON ALONG THE WAY (Random House) GOLDEN LEGACY chronicles the fascinating, never-before-told story of the creation, marketing, and worldwide impact of the most popular children's books of all time. Launched in 1942 within months of America¹s entry into World War II, Golden Books were an instant sensation, providing comfort and security to millions of home-front youngsters during wartime and giving the children of the Baby Boom generation and beyond their first memorable experiences of literature and art. From the outset, one of the hallmarks of the entire 25-cent Golden Book line was the superlative quality of its full-color illustration, a gallery of artwork created by a distinguished roster of illustrators that included Garth Williams, Leonard Weisgard, Gustf Tenggren, Feodor Rojankovsky, Tibor Gergely, J. P. Miller, Eloise Wilkin, Alice and Martin Provensen, Mary Blair, and Richard Scarry. Lavishly illustrated, GOLDEN LEGACY is a compelling tale of American pop culture and a stirring tribute to the most successful attempt ever at making good children books affordable by every American family. "[A] treasure of a history. . . . Eminent children's book historian Marcus tells the truly fascinating, multifaceted tale of the gutsy entrepreneurs behind Golden Books; their business strategies; their profitable licensing agreements with Disney and others; their librarian foes; and of course, the many renowned authors and illustrated who contributed their talents. . . . An irresistible feast." - Kirkus (starred review) "An absorbing account of the convergence of events and personalities that made Golden Books a household item. . . . This illuminating and carefully researched title, profusely illustrated with full-color illustrations, will be a walk down memory lane for many readers." - School Library Journal A 2007 Wall Street Journal Best Book for Holiday Giving. "What a grand story [this] is! A big book about the 'Little Books'!" - Eric Carle

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PASS IT DOWN: FIVE PICTURE BOOK FAMILIES MAKE THEIR MARK (Walker & Company, 2007) LSM introduces readers to five best-selling and award-winning families with talent that spans the generations. By opening up these family albums - sharing personal memories, scrapbooks, book dummies, model shots, and final art - Marcus reveals the way that picture books come into being, how artists and writers are nurtured and grown, and how family influences how and what we each become. With chapters based on interviews with: Donald Crews, Ann Jonas, and Nina Crews; Clement and Edith Thacher Hurd and Thacher Hurd; Walter Dean Myers and Christopher Myers; Jerry Pinkney and Brian Pinkney; and Harlow and Anne Rockwell and Lizzy Rockwell. 2008 NCTE Children's Assembly Notable Children's Books in the English Language Arts 2008 Bank Street Best Children's Books of the Year starred selection 2007 Texas Woman's University Librarians' Choice 100 Best Books of the Year "Fascinating . . . An outstanding work about the connections between parents and children, editors and artists and readers and writers." - Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

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OSCAR: THE BIG ADVENTURE OF A LITTLE SOCK MONKEY (HarperCollins, 2006) When Oscar's best friend, Susie green, forgets to bring the key for her pet rabbit's cage to the pet show, he embarks on an adventure of epic proportions. Oscar learns to read a map, navigates a city, and defeats a bully -- all in day's work for this intrepid little sock monkey! 2007 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Best Book Award winner "A husband-and-wife team spins a tale about a sock monkey caught up in a series of adventures trying to help a friend. Readers young and old will appreciate the narrative's wry tone . . . [A] charming story with a satisfying ending." - Publishers Weekly (starred review) "The authors blend just the right amount of tension and good fortune to engage and satisfy young audiences. The brisk pacing, uncluttered compositions, and clear, descriptive language make this a first choice for groups or individuals." - Wendy Lukehart, School Library Journal "Schwartz's pictures are full of wonderful patterns . . . and vividly evoke city life in all its color and variety. This charmer from a noted husband-and-wife team is sure to please any child who has counted on a toy for solace." - GraceAnne DeCandido, Booklist

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THE WAND IN THE WORD: CONVERSATIONS WITH WRITERS OF FANTASY (Candlewick Press, 2006) Fantasy is storytelling with the beguiling power to make the impossible imaginable and to reveal our own 'real' world in a fresh and truth-bearing light. Few have harnessed this power with the artistry, verve, and imagination of the authors encountered in this compelling book. How do they work their magic? Find out in richly rewarding interviews with thirteen master storytellers: Lloyd Alexander, Franny Billingsley, Susan Cooper, Nancy Farmer, Brian Jacques, Diana Wynne Jones, Ursula K. Le Guin, Madeleine L'Engle, Garth Nix, Tamora Pierce, Terry Pratchett, Philip Pullman, and Jane Yolen. Inspiring reading for fantasy fans and future writers alike. 2007 CCBC Choices Best Book 2007 New York Public Library Best Books for the Teen Age 2006 Horn Book Fanfare 2006 School Library Journal Best Book "Lively, highly and readable... [An] essential volume for fantasy fans of all ages." - School Library Journal (starred review) "A rich resource." - Booklist (starred review) "Highly recommended." - achuka.com "If someone in your household loves fantasy or wants to be a writer, this book will please them." - Chicago Tribune "Wisdom, variety, and humor characterize these interviews full of incisive comments from thirteen fantasy writers. . . An unusual exposition of creativity and courage, this book offers a fascinating glimpse into the diverse ways imagination and fantasy work." -The Horn Book (Horn Book Fanfare; starred review) "In spellbinding interviews with 13 word wizards, Marcus draws out sometimes-humorous, sometimes-harrowing childhood anecdotes, traces myriad influences and inspirations, and extracts gems of wisdom about the genre. An incisive and insightful fantasy primer." - School Library Journal (SLJ Best Book; starred review) "Marcus' latest may draw in even those young people who typically prefer to read, rather than read about, the books and authors they admire. . . . A rich resource that will be consulted as frequently by children's literature professionals and by genre fans themselves." - Booklist (starred review) "Young fantasy fans will gain insight into the lives and creative muses of some of their favorite authors [as they] share their pivotal life experiences, their literary influences and their views on the place of fantasy in literature and in our lives." - Sally Lodge, Publishers Weekly (boxed featured review) "The real beauty of Marcus is his ability to ask the follow-up question rather than simply march through his list. He is the ideal prepared reader/interviewer. . . . This one belongs on everyone's shelf (she said)." - Capitol Choices 2007 "This is one of the most interesting and inspirational books that I've read in a long time. Through the interviews and profiles, Marcus masterfully brings out the best in each author, providing a fascinating look at some of the leading authors in the fantasy genre. . . . Taken together in presents a powerful and inspiring message that anyone can be a writer, that anyone can overcome their personal obstacles to achieve their dreams. Highly recommended." - Sheila Ruth, Wandsandworlds.com

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STORIED CITY: A CHILDREN'S BOOK WALKING-TOUR GUIDE TO NEW YORK CITY (Dutton, 2003) "More than 200 books for children and teens make their appearance in Marcus's affectionate and limpidly clear walking tour of the literary sidewalks of New York. Excellent, wide-ranging, brilliantly and carefully done. . . . New York's mosaic of ethnicities and cultures . . . are well represented. . . For wandering about the city, or for answering children's questions as to whether a place or moment in New York City literature really exists, this is extremely cool." - Kirkus Reviews (starred review) "A fascinating array of walking tours of New York City. The scope of this project is huge