Estes, Eleanor, 1906-1988

Eleanor Estes (1906-1988) was the author and illustrator of a number of children's books over her long career. Born in West Haven, Connecticut, Estes worked as a librarian at the New Haven Public Library before winning a scholarship to the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NY, where she met her husband. She worked as a children's librarian for the New York Public Library until her first book was published in 1941. That book, The Moffats, set in fictional Cranbury, Connecticut, was based on Estes' own childhood in West Haven. She was the recipient of the Newbury Medal in 1952 for Ginger Pye.

From the description of Eleanor Estes papers, 1900-1988. (University of Connecticut). WorldCat record id: 237770896

American author of children's fiction.

From the description of The tunnel of Hugsy Goode : production material. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62402187

Author and librarian from Connecticut. Most noted for her "Moffats" series. Also had three Newbery honor books from 1943-1945, as well as a Newbery Medal in 1952.

From the description of Eleanor Estes papers, 1951 [manuscript]. (University of Southern Mississippi, Regional Campus). WorldCat record id: 41472962

American author and illustrator of children's fiction.

From the description of The witch family : production material. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62685697

From the description of The curious adventures of Jimmy McGee : production material. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62437135

From the description of The Moffat museum : production material. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62424247

From the description of The alley : production material. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62424245

From the description of The coat-hanger Christmas tree : production material. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62489864

From the description of The hundred dresses : production material. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62424246

From the description of Miranda the great : production material. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62489866

From the description of The lost umbrella of Kim Chu : production material. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62685699

From the description of The sleeping giant and other stories : production material. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62402189

From the description of Pinky Pye : production material. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62489867

American author and illustrator of children's books.

From the description of The sun and the wind and Mr. Todd : production material. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62685698

From the description of Ginger Pye : production material. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62402188

American author and illustrator of children's fiction; Newbery Award winner, 1952.

From the description of Papers, 1943-1987. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62489863

Eleanor Estes was born May 9, 1906 in West Haven, Connecticut. She attended Pratt Institute Library School and worked as a children's librarian in New Haven, Connecticut, and New York for a number of years. Eleanor Estes began writing children's books in 1941, publishing The Moffats, a family story that drew on her own memories of growing up in West Haven in the early part of the twentieth century. The book is the first in a series that featured the Moffat family. Ms. Estes continued to publish family stories for children for the next four decades, winning the Newbery Award in 1952 for Ginger Pye, the story of the Pye family and their new puppy, Ginger. Animals and a love for pets are frequently found in Ms. Estes' works. Her books have been praised by critics for their simple, direct, and authentic writing, her ability to write as a child for a child with insight and vitality and her empathy for all of childhood's emotions. One of her most memorable books, The Hundred Dresses, tells the story of a little girl who teaches another an enduring lesson in compassion and forgiveness in the face of prejudice and children's petty cruelties. She also wrote fantasies for children, but it is her family stories and her ability to mirror the magic of childhood that have made her books popular. Eleanor Estes died July 15, 1988.

Biographical Source: Something About the Author, vol, 91, p. 65-69

From the guide to the Eleanor Estes Papers, 1943-1987, (University of Minnesota Libraries Children's Literature Research Collections [clrc])