Minders of Make-Believe: Idealists, Entrepreneurs, and the Shaping of American Children's Literature

by Leonard S. Marcus

Book Overview

An animated first-time history of the visionaries--editors, authors, librarians, booksellers, and others--whose passion for books has transformed American childhood and American culture What should... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0395674077
• ISBN13: 9780395674079
• Release Date: January 2008
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin
• Length: 416 Pages
• Weight: 1.52 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 6.3" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

Trip Back in Time

Discussing the history of printers, publishers and editors in the field of Children's Literature, Marcus gives the reader a trip back in time to see the thinking and politics that created the world of Children's Literature that we work with and enjoy today. The inside view of the spheres of influence, prove to be both interesting and informative. I only regret that Marcus did not choose to include some of the early illustrations that were the foundation for today's picture book art.

"The Minders of Make Believe" Rocks!

If you are interested in literature, and history, and writing for children, and reading by children, and life, you should like this book. I did. Mr. Marcus has provided historical context for the industry of children's literature. In so doing, he has provided a place in the larger scheme of things, for all of those who support the making of literature which children, and wise adults, may enjoy. Thank you Mr. Marcus

Of minders and masters

This is a review certainly, but it is also a look at how librarians fit within Marcus's take on the publishing industry, past and present. When you are aware of your own personal worldview, it makes sense to interpret the books that fall into your lap with that view at the forefront of your mind. FYI. Beware setting yourself up as a guardian of the moral and cultural growth of children, for lo thou shalt be kicked in the rear historically as a result. As a children's librarian there's a wide swath of literature out there that looks at literature for kids from a historical perspective. Librarians, as it happens, are often very good at writing books about the things that they love. If they happen to love titles for the short set (and whatever you do, don't call it kid lit!) so be it. And thus it has been and thus it would continue to be if it weren't for other scholars in the field like Leonard Marcus. Mr. Marcus has, in a sense, made a career out of filling in the gaps that librarians have left in the field. Examinations of the Little Golden Books as with his book, Golden Legacy: How Golden Books Won Children's Hearts, Changed Publishing Forever, and Became An American Icon Along the Way or the collected letters of editor Ursula Nordstrom in Dear Genius. And so I find myself in a mighty odd position as I read his newest title, "Minders of Make-Believe". I cannot help but recognize that children's librarianship as it exists today has changed significantly since the days of Anne Carroll Moore and Frances Clark Sayers. That said Marcus's book, a brilliant piece and required reading for anyone in the field, sometimes proves a bitter pill for someone like me to swallow. Dishing up the dirt and setting the record straight, it's best for librarians like myself to learn from our illustrious past and find a way to continue to set literary standards so that we can avoid becoming an arbitrary footnote in collections like this particular one. The history of America and the history of children's books begin at practically the same point. Charting the growth of the American publishing industry and the very notion of the children's book as object, "Minders" tackles the didacticism of early efforts alongside the literary growth on the business side of the equation. Marcus charts the shift from America's reliance on British children's fare to its love affair with homegrown authors and illustrators. Familiar names begin to appear, and familiar authors as well. Drawing upon the input of librarians, booksellers, publishers, authors, illustrators, and really anyone with a finger in the children's publication pie, "Minders of Make-Believe" is the most compelling story imaginable, if your heart lies with the birth of American children's picture book creation. Marcus's readability is his forte. I'm no academic, and authors that write convoluted sentences for the sake of the sentences themselves bother me. There is nothing that Leonard Marcus writes,

This is a book for all fans of children's literature

Leonard marcus has done it again. This book should be on the shelf of every lover of children's literature.

Enchanting Tour

Having been a schoolteacher now for the past eighteen years, children's literature has been a mainstay of my profesion. Choosing the literature you read and use with your children is of prime importance. Most of the time, I elect to use books that are not only entertaining, but rich with lessons or thoughts that inspire deeper thinking. "Minders of Make Believe" is a treasure trove of history behind children's literature in our country, and the debate between instructive and entertaining. Leonard Marcus' interesting recount of the history of children's literature literally begins with the founding of our country, and the first "books" produced for children, starting with "The New England Primer". Two camps formed; should our kiddie lit teach or amuse? Marcus traces the development through the years, including some fascinating information on authors like Dr. Seuss (and his revolutionary Cat in the Hat), and Maurice Sendak. I've always chosen books that essentially come from both camps. If I am going to spend time with a story or book in my class, it has to have some "meat" to it's tale to make it worth my time. It must also be interesting enough to children for them to want to devour that meat. After reading Marcus' fascinating book, I don't think I'll ever feast on another children's book in exactly the same way again!