A well-balanced approach

 “I make money using my brains and lose money listening to my heart. But in the long run my books balance pretty well.” – Kate Seredy

 

Born in Hungary on Nov. 10, 1896, Seredy won the prestigious Newbery Medal for best children’s book for The White Stag, the Newbery Honor (runner-up) twice, and the Caldecott Medal for Best Children’s Book Illustration for The Christmas Anna Angel.  She also won the Lewis Carroll Shelf Award for The White Stag.  

 

After growing up in Hungary and spending time in Paris, especially during World War I, Seredy emigrated to the U.S., ran a children’s bookshop and started her career as a children’s book illustrator.  Encouraged by editor May Massee to write down bits and pieces of her “growing up” years, she wrote the children’s novel The Good Master, published in 1936 and winner of a Newbery Honor for best book.

 

She wrote 12 children's books and illustrated dozens more, dedicating her last book, Lazy Tinka, to Massee.  Seredy’s papers and illustrations are mostly part of the May Massee Collection at Emporia State University and I had a chance to see them when I spoke to writing classes and then presented as part of the ESU Writers’ Series.  It’s a wonderful collection and I highly recommend visiting the school to view it.

 

“For yesterday and for all tomorrows,” she said, “we dance the best we know.”