HarperCollins Publishers

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

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

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

Freaky Friday

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

Amelia Bedelia

The first book featuring the now-classic, hilariously literal-minded character Amelia Bedelia. More

Letter from John Donovan submitting the manuscript for I’ll Get There. It Better Be Worth the Trip.

In June 1968, author John Donovan wrote to Ursula Nordstrom, head of the U.S. Harper Children’s division, asking her to read the manuscript... 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

1963: Maurice Sendak receives the Caldecott Medal for Where the Wild Things Are…

Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak is published. It is awarded the 1964 Caldecott Medal. More

The Carrot Seed

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

Sounder

Newbery Award–winning book that became an influential children’s work on race and class. More

Letter recommending Sounder for publication

Harper editor Ferd Monjo wrote this letter to the head of the U.S. Harper Children’s division, Ursula Nordstrom, regarding a manuscript he had received in July 1968. 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

Original artwork suggested by Syd Hoff for Danny and the Dinosaur

Illustrator Syd Hoff sent these sketches to Ursula Nordstrom, head of the U.S. Harper Children’s division, as suggestions for the now-classic Danny and the Dinosaur. More

1932: Laura Ingalls Wilder publishes Little House in the Big Woods…

Little House in The Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder, Drawings by Helen Sewell. Harper & Brothers Established 1817.

Virginia Kirkus, inaugural department editor of Harper’s Department of Books for Boys and Girls, launches Laura Ingalls Wilder with the publication of Little House in the Big Woods. 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

Little Bear

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

A Light in the Attic

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

Bread and Jam for Frances

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

Flat Stanley

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

Goodnight Moon

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

Charlotte’s Web

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

Little House on the Prairie

Third book in the award-winning Little House series, which has sold more than 34 million copies. More

The History of HarperCollins Children’s Books in the U.S.

The Department of Books for Boys and Girls at Harper was established in the U.S. in 1926. More

Old Yeller

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

Tag: The Department of Books for Boys & Girls