MARGARET WISE BROWN: Awakened by the Moon

By Leonard S. Marcus

Book Overview

Margaret Wise Brown, the author of Goodnight Moon and dozens of other children's classics, all but invented the picture book as we know it today. Combining poetic instinct with a profound empathy for small children, she knew of a child's need for security, love, and a sense of being at home in the worldand she brought that unique tenderness to the page. Yet these were comforts that eluded her. Brown's youthful presence and professional successas an editor, bestselling author, and self-styled impresariomasked an insecurity that left her restless and vulnerable. In this moving biography, Marcus portrays Brown's complex character and her tragic, seesaw life. Her literary achievement and groundbreaking discoveries about small children's emotional needs were offset by tormented romances including a passionate relationship with Michael Strange, the celebrity socialite once married to John Barrymore.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0807070491
• ISBN13: 9780807070499
• Release Date: January 1
• Publisher: Beacon Press
• Length: 364 Pages
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.8" x 1.0" x 5.3"

Customer Reviews

Wonderful book

This is a wonderful book. Everyone knows The Runaway Bunny and Goodnight Moon, but who knew about the amazing woman who wrote them? A must for every adult with kids!

This book is a gem

This is one of my favorite books in the genre of literary biography. I found the details to be fascinating and Wise's life to be quite bohemian and a fascinating study. For me, it WAS a page turner and worthy of anyone's time. In fact, I chose to use it as the basis for an hour long presentation for various book clubs. Everyone was familiar with GoodNight Moon and enjoyed hearing about Wise's life. I heartily recommend this book. It's just that good.

This is the antithesis of breezy bios

The bizarre bohemian-preppy life of Margaret Wise Brown captured by Leonard Marcus in "Awakened by the Moon" is an excellent enjoyable read comparable to Andrew Wilson's "Beautiful Shadow" biography of Patricia Highsmith. The only flaw is Marcus did not interview Albert Clark, the chief beneficiary of Brown's will and the inheritor of the royalties of "Goodnight Moon." This is a highly detailed book, and so it is more "by a writer, for writers" than a general or curious audience.

Awakened by the Moon

A fascinating account of a pioneer of children's literature. This book provides a great deal of insight into the personal and professional dealings of children's book publishing in the earliest days. Margaret seems to have been a woman ahead of her time in many ways and quite a character herself. A very entertaining and well researched book.

An excellent read:

An absorbing book that provides a fascinating, respectful biography of Brown, as well as an intriguing history of the Golden Age of children's publishing. Finely written and well documented.