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sophielr's review against another edition
4.0
I found reading this book very relaxing, something soothing about the clean simplicity of the writing. Margaret's life story was compelling and interesting and sad.
fiberreader's review against another edition
4.0
Like many parents, there was a time in my life when I could recite the entirety of Goodnight, Moon from memory, but I never knew anything about Margaret Wise Brown other than her name. I was excited to see that this recent biography was available from the library and really enjoyed learning more about this extraordinary woman. Though in many ways she had a privileged life, she was also very much ahead of her time in fighting for her rights as an author and as a woman. I have a newfound respect for her writing now that I know more about her and her process.
kerryanndunn's review against another edition
3.0
I only wish Amy Gary had written the entire biography as Jim Rockefeller wrote his beautiful Foreword: by using direct quotes from Margaret Wise Brown herself. I'm torn on this book. I loved Margaret. Her story is fascinating; her intelligence, passion, fiery spirit, and desire for love are all endlessly compelling. But why, when she had access to all her letters and diaries did Amy Gary choose to write this biography in this weird third person and NEVER use any direct quotes from Margaret Wise Brown until literally the last paragraph of the book??? It frustrated me throughout. I really enjoyed this book for the story and insight into this author of so many beloved children's books. But it would have been so much better if that writer's own voice had been included. I'll never understand that choice Amy Gary made. Now I'll have to go in search of any published collections of Margaret's letters.
cassie_gutman's review against another edition
2.0
This is a difficult book to review, because on the one hand, I loved learning about Margaret Wise Brown and her unusual-for-the-times life. Her relationships were unconventional, and she wasn't afraid to be who she was or chase her publishing dreams, becoming truly one of the most prolific children's authors ever, even though her name itself is not well-known.
On the down side, the book itself wasn't written that well, and I felt bored with the style of writing. In addition, it was difficult at times to tell what the author was inserting regarding her own opinions of the people versus what people during that time truly thought. The parts that stood out to me in particular were the discussions of Brown's mother, who dealt with severe depression, but in the book was treated as bothersome and irritating, and I was unable to parse if that was Brown's thoughts of her own mother, or the writer inserting those thoughts. This struck me as odd that it was hard to tell, and I think more clarity would have helped, even if people during those times did think those things, spelling that out and then a brief mention of how differently we look at mental illness today would have benefitted the book greatly.
Even with its flaws, I am glad I read it if only to learn more about this author I truly knew nothing about, and in the heyday of New York publishing.
CW: depression and depression being seen as a flaw, homophobia, fatphobia
On the down side, the book itself wasn't written that well, and I felt bored with the style of writing. In addition, it was difficult at times to tell what the author was inserting regarding her own opinions of the people versus what people during that time truly thought. The parts that stood out to me in particular were the discussions of Brown's mother, who dealt with severe depression, but in the book was treated as bothersome and irritating, and I was unable to parse if that was Brown's thoughts of her own mother, or the writer inserting those thoughts. This struck me as odd that it was hard to tell, and I think more clarity would have helped, even if people during those times did think those things, spelling that out and then a brief mention of how differently we look at mental illness today would have benefitted the book greatly.
Even with its flaws, I am glad I read it if only to learn more about this author I truly knew nothing about, and in the heyday of New York publishing.
CW: depression and depression being seen as a flaw, homophobia, fatphobia
hollydeitz's review against another edition
2.0
I'm giving this two stars because it was so poorly written. It was an interesting story nonetheless. A quick read. Easy to skim but still get the gist of it. The subject deserves a better biography.
thatjamiea's review against another edition
5.0
"In the great, green room there is a telephone and red balloon and a picture of the cow jumping over the moon". I know it all by heart and have fond memories of hearing little voices whispering "hush" as we read.
Margaret Wise Brown was born into a wealthy family. She was a cousin to Rockefellers. She was unaffected by the depression. She vacationed on private islands, was educated in Europe and lived in a sloping estate on Long Island. Margaret was a little flakey, preferring to read and explore than study and her father considered withholding college tuition for her, a bold step considering women in his family were considered to be the brightest and best.
Margaret was a dynamic, fun loving woman. She wanted to marry and raise a family but when the opportunities presented themselves to her, she tended to shy away afraid of being trapped in a contentious, unhappy marriage like her parents.
After college, Martha happened into a learning collective where they were studying new ways to educate and communicate with children. Initially, Margret joined the group thinking she would teach, but she was called to collaborate on a text book for the school and it didn't take long for Margaret to be at the forefront of the children's publishing industry.
Much may be made about Margaret's relationship with Michael Strange, the ex-wife of John Barrymore. It was super dysfunctional and it's sad that Margaret didn't get a happily ever after which was looming ahead of her when she died.
It was a very interesting read about someone who has touched most of our lives but about which we know little.
Margaret Wise Brown was born into a wealthy family. She was a cousin to Rockefellers. She was unaffected by the depression. She vacationed on private islands, was educated in Europe and lived in a sloping estate on Long Island. Margaret was a little flakey, preferring to read and explore than study and her father considered withholding college tuition for her, a bold step considering women in his family were considered to be the brightest and best.
Margaret was a dynamic, fun loving woman. She wanted to marry and raise a family but when the opportunities presented themselves to her, she tended to shy away afraid of being trapped in a contentious, unhappy marriage like her parents.
After college, Martha happened into a learning collective where they were studying new ways to educate and communicate with children. Initially, Margret joined the group thinking she would teach, but she was called to collaborate on a text book for the school and it didn't take long for Margaret to be at the forefront of the children's publishing industry.
Much may be made about Margaret's relationship with Michael Strange, the ex-wife of John Barrymore. It was super dysfunctional and it's sad that Margaret didn't get a happily ever after which was looming ahead of her when she died.
It was a very interesting read about someone who has touched most of our lives but about which we know little.
herlifewithbooks's review against another edition
4.0
Less kid-lit industry insider tale (boo), more profile of an unconventional lady - a career creative living, unmarried, in NYC in the 30s and 40s. So interesting in a different sort of way than I expected.
Can we also talk post-Depression real estate for a second? Brown is out of cash and asking her parents for cash influxes in one chapter, then renting or buying writing spaces, vacation homes, or little NYC cottages (?) in the next. A lot of this book is dedicated to the procurement and decoration of living spaces (appropriate given the Goodnight Moon theme) but can you even imagine a struggling artist with 3 or 4 different NYC addresses these days??
Can we also talk post-Depression real estate for a second? Brown is out of cash and asking her parents for cash influxes in one chapter, then renting or buying writing spaces, vacation homes, or little NYC cottages (?) in the next. A lot of this book is dedicated to the procurement and decoration of living spaces (appropriate given the Goodnight Moon theme) but can you even imagine a struggling artist with 3 or 4 different NYC addresses these days??
angkunkel's review against another edition
4.0
I received an ARC from the publisher.
I thought this book was well-researched and did an excellent job of portraying 1940s New York. Margaret Wise Brown was a much more complex person than most people might imagine. Heartbreaking end to her life as well.
Anyone interested in children's literature, especially picture books, will want to read this.
I thought this book was well-researched and did an excellent job of portraying 1940s New York. Margaret Wise Brown was a much more complex person than most people might imagine. Heartbreaking end to her life as well.
Anyone interested in children's literature, especially picture books, will want to read this.