Sounder
Newbery Award–winning book that became an influential children’s work on race and class. More
The Inklings
Clive Staples Lewis (better known as C. S. Lewis) loved nothing more than sitting in the back room of his favorite pub, The Eagle and Child, surrounded by his closest literary friends, including J. R. R. Tolkien. More
Letter from C. S. Lewis
In this letter to Collins publisher Billy Collins, dated November 1954, C. S. Lewis—author of The Chronicles of Narnia series, Mere Christianity, and The Screwtape Letters, among others—outlines what he sees as his three types of “literary output”: “A. Religious and General. B. Fiction. C. Academic.” More
Neil Gaiman
I read to travel, and to learn. More
Rita Williams-Garcia
My childhood reading helped to build me from the inside. More
Soman Chainani
Whatever psychic wounds have turned me into a writer I am thankful for. More
Kevin Henkes
Harold and the Purple Crayon
Classic children’s story about imagination that has never been out of print. More
James Dean
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
A Bear Called Paddington
The original story of the bear who arrived at Paddington Station from darkest Peru. More
Stuart Little
White’s beloved classic about a small mouse on a big adventure is a perennial bestseller. More
Gordon Korman
I read to be astounded by other writers’ ideas. More
Monster
Winner of the first Michael L. Printz Award and the Coretta Scott King Award. More
Jane O’Connor
I really have no hobbies—nearly all of my leisure time is spent with a good book. More
Beezus and Ramona
Newbery Medal winner; humorous and beloved tale of the ups and downs of sisterhood. More
1990: HarperCollins becomes the new global company name…
On May 29, 1990, HarperCollins becomes the new global name for the combined Harper & Row and Collins. 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
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
Lauren Oliver
I read so that I can learn and I write so that I can explore. More
Henry Huggins
The debut novel from Newbery Medal–winning author Beverly Cleary. More
Francesca Lia Block
It has been said that only two things helped survivors of the Holocaust: 1) massage and 2) telling their stories. More
Charlotte’s Web
Considered a classic of children’s literature; a novel of friendship, love, life, and death. 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
1946: William Morrow establishes its first children’s imprint…
William Morrow establishes its first children’s imprint, Morrow Junior Books, and develops successful children’s author Beverly Cleary. More
Robin Preiss Glasser
Howl’s Moving Castle
This popular novel stars one of the most beloved and charismatic characters in children’s literature. More