Slobodkin, Louis, 1903-1975

Louis Slobodkin was born in New York in 1903. The multi-talented Sobodkin was well known for his sculpture as well as the illustration of children's books. He received the 1944 Caldecott Medal for his illustrations in Many moons.

From the description of Louis Slobodkin papers. [Part 2], 1918-2000 (bulk 1918-1973). (University of Southern Mississippi, Regional Campus). WorldCat record id: 52582923

From the description of Louis Slobodkin papers. [Part 1], 1918-2000 (bulk 1918-1973). (University of Southern Mississippi, Regional Campus). WorldCat record id: 52582418

Sculptor, illustrator and author of books for children; he died in 1975.

From the description of Papers, 1929-1974. (University of Oregon Libraries). WorldCat record id: 19904946

From the description of Papers, 1927-1972. (University of Oregon Libraries). WorldCat record id: 19904876

Louis Slobodkin was born February 19, 1903, in Albany, New York. He attended the Beaux Arts Institute for Design in New York City from 1918-1922, and in 1927 married Florence Gersh, who would be his collaborator on several children's books. Early in his career Slobodkin worked as a sculptor and designer, and in 1943 illustrated James Thurber's Many Moons, which received the 1944 Caldecott Medal. Throughout his long and prolific career, Slobodkin illustrated his and other author's works. He is well-known for his illustrations of Eleanor Estes' Moffat books. During the 1940s-1970s he wrote a number of books for young children, including a Read About series, and such humorous 'didactic' books as Thank You--You're Welcome, that taught young readers about manners and courtesy with humor and style. He also wrote and illustrated a number of science fiction stories for older readers, including his Space Ship series. Critics have long praised his illustrations for their simplicity, and for his ability to show movement, tension, and the dynamics of human figures, to help move a story along and depict mood and place. Louis Slobodkin died May 8, 1975, in Florida. Biographical Sources: Something About the Author, vols. 1, 26

From the guide to the Louis Slobodkin Papers, 1943-1972, (University of Minnesota Libraries Children's Literature Research Collections)

American author and illustrator of children's books.

From the description of Hustle and bustle : production material. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62449231

From the description of Trick or treat : production material. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62449241

From the description of Excuse me! Certainly! : production material. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62439973

From the description of Dinny and Danny : production material. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62687099

From the description of The little mermaid who could not sing : production material. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62687104

From the description of Love and knishes : an irrespressible guide to Jewish cooking : production material. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62687105

From the description of The three-seated space ship : the latest model of the space ship under the apple tree : production material. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62403667

From the description of The saucepan journey : production material. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62491391

From the description of One is good, but two are better : production material. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62491388

From the description of The space ship returns to the apple tree : production material. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62491392

From the description of Read about the policeman : production material. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62491390

From the description of The horse with the high-heeled shoes : production material. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62491385

From the description of Mr. Spindles and the spiders : production material. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62491387

From the description of Colette and the princess : production material. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62491384

From the description of Bixxy and the secret message : production material. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62449227

From the description of The hundred dresses : production material. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62449230

From the description of The late cuckoo : production material. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62449232

From the description of Little O : production material. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62439977

From the description of The adventures of Arab : production material. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62439962

From the description of The cowboy twins ; production material. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62449228

From the description of Thank you--you're welcome : production material. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62449242

From the description of Millions and millions and millions! : production material. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62439980

From the description of Round trip space ship : production material. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62439986

From the description of The wide-awake owl : production material. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62449239

From the description of The first book of drawing : production material. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62449229

From the description of Moon Blossom and the golden penny : production material. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62449234

From the description of Upside-down town : production material. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62449240

From the description of The Alhambra : palace of mystery and splendor : production material. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62439966

From the description of Clear the track : for Michael's magic train : production material. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62439972

From the description of Read about the fireman : production material. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62439984

From the description of The amiable giant : production material. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62491383

From the description of The shoes fit for a king : production material. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62491386

From the description of Martin's dinosaur : production material. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62449233

From the description of Picco, the sad Italian pony : production material. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62449236

From the description of Mr. Mushroom : production material. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62449235

From the description of Garibaldi : production material. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62439975

From the description of The polka dot goat : production material. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62449238

From the description of Our friendly animals : production material. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62491389

From the description of The magic fishbone : romance from the pen of Miss Alice Rainbird, aged seven : production material. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62687106

From the description of Io sono, I am : Italian with fun : production material. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62687102

From the description of The friendly animals : production material. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62687100

From the description of Read about the busman : production material. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62687108

From the description of Jonathan and the rainbow : production material. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62687103

From the description of The space ship under the apple tree : production material. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62687113

From the description of Sarah Somebody : production material. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62687110

From the description of Read about the postman : production material. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62687109

From the description of A good place to hide : production material. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62687101

From the description of Too many mittens : production material. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62687112

From the description of Many moons : production material. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62687107

From the description of Circus, April 1st : production material. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62687098

From the description of Yasu and the strangers : production material. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62687111

From the description of Evie and Cookie : production material. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62403657

From the description of The seaweed hat : production material. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62403664

From the description of The warm hearted polar bear : production material. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62403666

From the description of Nomi and the lovely animals : production material. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62403663

From the description of Luigi and the long-nosed soldier : production material. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62403658

From the description of The space ship in the park : production material. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62403669

From the description of Melvin, the moose child : production material. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62403661

From the description of Wilbur the warrior : production material. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62403665

From the description of Magic Michael : production material. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62403659

From the description of Mr. Petersand's cats and kittens : production material. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62403662

American author and illustrator of children's books; Caldecott Medal winner, 1944.

From the description of Papers, 1943-1972. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62439995

Louis Slobodkin, sculptor, illustrator, and author, was born in Albany, New York on February 19, 1903, son of Nathan and Dora (nee Lubin) Slobodkin. He attended the Beaux Arts Institute of Design in New York City from 1918 to 1923. Slobodkin married Florence Gersh on September 27, 1927, and they raised two sons, Lawrence and Michael.

Louis Slobodkin was a noted sculptor. He won twenty-two medals from the Beaux Arts Institute of Design during the period 1918 to 1922, a Louis Tiffany Foundation Fellowship in 1932, Honorable Mention in competition for the Chicago War Memorial, 1932, and various commissions in federal competitions. He frequently served on art juries throughout the 1940s and 1950s.

Slobodkin first achieved fame in 1938 when his "Young Lincoln" statue, which had won a place in the Federal Building at the 1940 World's Fair, was summarily removed and destroyed by an official of the Fair. Slobodkin's many friends in the art world rallied to his cause, and eventually a bronze version of the plaster original was permanently placed in the Headquarters Building of the Department of the Interior in Washington, D. C.

In 1941, his sketching drew the attention of a friend, Eleanor Estes, who asked him to illustrate her book, The Moffats (Harcourt Brace, 1941). The book was well received, and a new career for Slobodkin was launched. In 1943, he illustrated James Thurber's Many Moons (Harcourt Brace, 1943), and this book won the Caldecott Medal. Between 1941 and 1972 Slobodkin illustrated, or collaborated on, or wrote and illustrated at least eighty-two titles. Notable among these are the Moffat books with Eleanor Estes, Many Moons with Thurber, and his own Magic Michael (MacMillan, 1944), Fo'castle Waltz (Vanguard, 1945), Sculpture: Principles and Practice (World, 1949), The Space Ship Under the Apple Tree (MacMillan, 1952), One Is Good but Two Are Better (Vanguard, 1956), Yasu and the Strangers (MacMillan, 1965), and the Read-About series (Frankin Watts 1966, 1967). Two of these books are for adult readers-- Fo'castle Waltz and Sculpture: Principles and Practice --while the rest are for children.

Louis Slobodkin's books have been translated into many foreign languages, including French, Norwegian, German, Italian, and Japanese. They have shown considerable staying power, some remaining in print for over thirty years, and often excerpted for anthologies and curriculum materials.

As Slobodkin's reputation as an author and illustrator grew, he came to be much in demand as a speaker at library association conventions and book fairs. His "chalk talks", given to large audiences of children, were always well received. Slobodkin's gently humorous books generated a steady stream of fan mail, which he carefully answered, addressing the children as equals and encouraging them to place their creativity on a foundation of hard work, as he himself had done.

Louis Slobodkin died in 1975.

From the guide to the Louis Slobodkin Papers Addendum, 1929-1974, (Special Collections and University Archives, University of Oregon Libraries)

Louis Slobodkin, sculptor, illustrator, and author, was born in Albany, New York on February 19, 1903, son of Nathan and Dora (nee Lubin) Slobodkin. He attended the Beaux Arts Institute of Design in New York City from 1918 to 1923. Slobodkin married Florence Gersh on September 27, 1927, and they raised two sons, Lawrence and Michael.

Louis Slobodkin was a noted sculptor. He won twenty-two medals from the Beaux Arts Institute of Design during the period 1918 to 1922, a Louis Tiffany Foundation Fellowship in 1932, Honorable Mention in competition for the Chicago War Memorial, 1932, and various commissions in federal competitions. He frequently served on art juries throughout the 1940s and 1950s.

Slobodkin first achieved fame in 1938 when his "Young Lincoln" statue, which had won a place in the Federal Building at the 1940 World's Fair, was summarily removed and destroyed by an official of the Fair. Slobodkin's many friends in the art world rallied to his cause, and eventually a bronze version of the plaster original was permanently placed in the Headquarters Building of the Department of the Interior in Washington, D. C.

In 1941, his sketching drew the attention of a friend, Eleanor Estes, who asked him to illustrate her book, The Moffats (Harcourt Brace, 1941). The book was well received, and a new career for Slobodkin was launched. In 1943, he illustrated James Thurber's Many Moons (Harcourt Brace, 1943), and this book won the Caldecott Medal. Between 1941 and 1972 Slobodkin illustrated, or collaborated on, or wrote and illustrated at least eighty-two titles. Notable among these are the Moffat books with Eleanor Estes, Many Moons with Thurber, and his own Magic Michael (MacMillan, 1944), Fo'castle Waltz (Vanguard, 1945), Sculpture: Principles and Practice (World, 1949), The Space Ship Under the Apple Tree (MacMillan, 1952), One Is Good but Two Are Better (Vanguard, 1956), Yasu and the Strangers (MacMillan, 1965), and the Read-About series (Frankin Watts 1966, 1967). Two of these books are for adult readers-- Fo'castle Waltz and Sculpture: Principles and Practice --while the rest are for children.

Louis Slobodkin's books have been translated into many foreign languages, including French, Norwegian, German, Italian, and Japanese. They have shown considerable staying power, some remaining in print for over thirty years, and often excerpted for anthologies and curriculum materials.

As Slobodkin's reputation as an author and illustrator grew, he came to be much in demand as a speaker at library association conventions and book fairs. His "chalk talks", given to large audiences of children, were always well received. Slobodkin's gently humorous books generated a steady stream of fan mail, which he carefully answered, addressing the children as equals and encouraging them to place their creativity on a foundation of hard work, as he himself had done.

Louis Slobodkin died in 1975.

From the guide to the Louis Slobodkin papers, 1927-1972, (Special Collections and University Archives, University of Oregon Libraries)