Gág, Wanda, 1893-1946

American author and illustrator of children's books; Kerlan Award, 1977 and Caldecott Honor citations for Nothing at All and Snow White and the seven dwarfs, and Newbery Honor citations for Millions of Cats and The ABC bunny.

From the description of Papers, 1893-1947 (bulk 1928-1947). (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62440119

American author and illustrator of children's books.

From the description of Snow White and the seven dwarfs : production material. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62495666

From the description of Millions of cats : production material. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62449293

From the description of The funny thing : production material. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62440097

From the description of Wanda Gag's story book : production material. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62440100

From the description of Three gay tales from Grimm : production material. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62491442

From the description of Snippy and Snappy : production material. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62491440

From the description of Tales from Grimm : production material. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62491441

From the description of Snow White and the seven dwarfs : production material. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62687171

From the description of Gone is gone : or, The story of a man who wanted to do housework : production material. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62687168

From the description of More tales from Grimm : production material. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62687172

From the description of Growing pains : diaries and drawings for the years 1908-1917 : production material. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62403744

American children's author/illustrator, born in New Ulm, Minnesota in 1893. Award-winning author and featured artist.

From the description of Papers, 1937-1938 (University of Southern Mississippi, Regional Campus). WorldCat record id: 26136043

American artist, illustrator, and writer, originally from New Ulm, Minnesota.

From the description of Wanda Gág papers, 1892-1968. (University of Pennsylvania Library). WorldCat record id: 216760767

American author and illustrator of cildren's books.

From the description of The ABC bunny : production material. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62687167

Wanda Gag was born March 11, 1893 in New Ulm, Minnesota. She grew up in a household that valued the rich folk traditions and tales of Germany, Austria and Czechoslovakia, and spoke German. Two of Wanda Gag's siblings, Howard and Flavia, would also work in the arts. Wanda Gag studied art at the Minneapolis Art School and the St. Paul Art School in Minnesota, and later at the Art Students League in New York City. She began her career as a commercial artist, and in 1928 published her first book for children Millions of Cats. The book is considered by many to be her finest work and received a Newbery Honor citation in 1929.

Wanda Gag's work is noted for its lively expressive pictures and narrative rhythms and simple peasant humor. She also is noted for her adaptations and illustrations for many of the Grimm fairy tales that capture and recreate the personality and traditions of the tales. She wanted to make her versions true to the stories auditory qualities and magic. Wanda Gag wanted all her illustrations to be "warmly human, imaginative, or humorous not coldly decorative, and to make them so clear that a three-year-old can recognize the main objects in them." Wanda Gag did much of her art work in black and white; Nothing At All is one exception. She also wrote one book for adults Growing Pains that explored her own artistic growth.

Photo: Wanda Gag at work

Throughout her career, Wanda Gag was hailed as one of America's most original artists and received Caldecott Honor citations for Nothing At All and Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, as well as a second Newbery Honor for The ABC Bunny in 1934. Wanda Gag died on June 27, 1946 and in 1977 was posthumously awarded the Kerlan Award for her contribution to children's literature.

Biographical Sources:

Something About the Author, vol. 100

Yesterday's Authors of Books for Children, vol. 1

Children's Literature Review, vol. 4

Photo: Wanda Gag and longtime friend Earle

From the guide to the Wanda Gag Papers, 1893-1947, (University of Minnesota Libraries Children's Literature Research Collections)