HarperCollins Publishers

Garth Williams, Illustrator

Marketing flyer promoting the 1946 publication of Little Fur Family, written by Margaret Wise Brown and illustrated by Garth Williams.

Garth Williams was a little-known but talented young illustrator when he was commissioned by Ursula Nordstrom, head of Harper’s Department of Books for Boys and Girls, to illustrate the classic Stuart Little by E. B. White. More

Little Bear

The very first I Can Read! book has sold more than one million copies. More

Bread and Jam for Frances

Beloved story featured on at least two “top 100 picture books of all time” lists. More

Charlotte’s Web

Considered a classic of children’s literature; a novel of friendship, love, life, and death. More

Letter from Katharine White (E. B. White’s wife) regarding Stuart Little’s illustrations

Letter from Katherine White (E. B. White’s wife) regarding Stuart Little’s illustrations

This letter from E. B. White’s wife, Katharine White, to Ursula Nordstrom, head of the U.S. Harper Children’s division, expresses her husband’s excitement... More

Letter from Garth Williams regarding illustrations for the Little House series

When acclaimed illustrator Garth Williams was commissioned to create new illustrations for Laura Ingalls Wilder's Little House series, he traveled west to see the actual sites Wilder referred to in her writings and to meet Laura herself. More

Letter from Russell Hoban, author of Bread and Jam for Frances

Russell Hoban is known for his classic series about Frances, a badger who is a picky eater with a huge aversion to eggs (Bread and Jam for Frances). More

The Carrot Seed

An early classic in children’s literature about perseverance; never out of print. More

Pushing the Boundaries of Children’s Literature

A 1972 edition of William’s Doll, written by Charlotte Zolotow and illustrated by William Pène Du Bois.

Children’s books explored uncharted territory in the mid-1960s as Harper & Row began to champion boundary-pushing children’s and young adult books. More

1964: Harper & Row publishes The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein…

Harper & Row publishes The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein, a “moving story about the love of a tree for a boy.” More

Harry the Dirty Dog

Classic dog story; childhood favorite that has charmed readers for more than fifty years. More

Letter from Fred Gipson regarding Old Yeller

Old Yeller is the beloved tale of a boy and his loyal, clever, “big yeller” dog. More

1926: The Department of Books for Boys and Girls is established at Harper & Brothers…

The Department of Books for Boys and Girls is established at Harper & Brothers. More

Flat Stanley

This series celebrated its fiftieth anniversary in 2014 and has sold more than one million copies. More

Harold and the Purple Crayon

Classic children’s story about imagination that has never been out of print. More

Letter from Arnold Lobel regarding Frog and Toad Are Friends

This handwritten letter from Arnold Lobel to Ursula Nordstrom, head of the Harper Children’s division in the U.S., accompanied the submission of his manuscript for the now-classic Frog and Toad Are Friends. More

A Light in the Attic

Classic collection of poems and illustrations by Shel Silverstein; ALA Notable Children’s Book. More

The Giving Tree

Poignant, game-changing picture book for readers of all ages that has been a favorite for generations. More

Marketing and publicity brochure for Charlotte’s Web

This 1963 marketing and publicity brochure for Charlotte’s Web by E. B. White includes a letter from White explaining how he got the idea for the story. More

Freaky Friday

Classic comedic children’s novel that is so funny it has been adapted into film three times. More

Eric Carle

I read to understand. More

Eric Carle

Goodnight Moon

Every child’s must-have bedtime classic; beloved by generations of readers and listeners. More

Old Yeller

Instantly acclaimed, it has become one of the most beloved children’s classics ever written. More

The Look of Stuart Little

In early 1945, Ursula Nordstrom, head of Harper’s Department of Books for Boys and Girls was awaiting completion of E. B. White’s manuscript for a children’s story about a talking mouse, titled Stuart Little. More

Letter from Ursula Nordstrom regarding Frog and Toad Are Friends

This humorous letter from 1970 was written by Ursula Nordstrom, head of the U.S. Harper Children’s division, to Frog and Toad Are Friends author and illustrator Arnold Lobel. More

Letter from E. B. White regarding Stuart Little

B. White (Andy) writes to his editor Eugene Saxton (Gene), presenting his manuscript for Stuart Little... More

Caps for Sale

Longtime classic about a peddler and a band of mischievous monkeys. More

Tag: The Department of Books for Boys & Girls