Clare Turlay Newberry facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Clare Turlay Newberry
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| Born | April 10, 1903 Enterprise, Oregon
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| Died | February 12, 1970 (aged 66) San Diego, California
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| Nationality | American |
| Education | University of Oregon, School of the Portland Art Museum, and the California School of Fine Arts |
| Known for | Illustrator, Writer |
Clare Turlay Newberry (born April 10, 1903 – died February 12, 1970) was an American writer and artist. She wrote and illustrated 17 children's books. She became famous for her amazing drawings of cats. Almost all her books were about cats! Four of her books even won special awards called Caldecott Honors.
Contents
About Clare Turlay Newberry
Clare Turlay Newberry was born in Enterprise, Oregon. She loved drawing cats from a very young age. She started drawing them when she was only two years old!
Early Life and Art Studies
When Clare was 16, she sold her first drawings. These were paper dolls for a children's magazine called John Martin's Book.
She went to the University of Oregon for a year. Then, she studied art at two different schools. These were the School of the Portland Art Museum and the California School of Fine Arts. Even though she studied art, she never finished her formal art training.
Becoming a Book Illustrator
In 1930, Clare traveled to Paris, France, to study art. The next year, she needed money to return to the United States. So, she illustrated a story she had written.
This story was about a girl named Sally who got a lion for her birthday. It became her first published book, Herbert the Lion. People loved the book! The New York Times newspaper said it was "refreshingly imaginative."
Her Famous Cat Books
Clare first wanted to be a portrait painter. But in 1934, she decided to focus on drawing cats instead. Her next book, Mittens, was about a boy looking for his lost kitten. It became a very popular book. It was even named one of the Fifty Books of the Year. This award was given by the American Institute of Graphic Arts.
Many of her books won special awards. Four of her books were named Caldecott Honor Books. These books were:
- Barkis: This story was about a sister who felt a bit jealous of her brother's new puppy.
- Marshmallow: This book showed the sweet friendship between a cat and a baby rabbit.
- April's Kittens: This story was about a family who had an extra kitten. Their apartment only allowed one cat.
- T-Bone the Babysitter: This book was about a cat who had "spring fever."
Her book Smudge also won an award from the American Institute of Graphic Arts.
Drawing from Real Life
Most of Clare Newberry's subjects came from real life. She drew animals she knew. Two exceptions were Herbert the Lion and Lambert's Bargain. Lambert's Bargain was about a birthday gift of a hyena.
In 1946, Clare bought a baby ocelot for $500. An ocelot is a wild cat. A sailor brought it from Venezuela. The New York Times even wrote about it! They used the funny headline "Still A Lot For Ocelot." Clare named the ocelot Rufus. She used Rufus as a model for her drawings. Sadly, Rufus later passed away.
Books by Clare Turlay Newberry
- Herbert the Lion, 1931.
- Mittens, 1936.
- Babette, 1937.
- Barkis, 1938. Caldecott Honors winner.
- Cousin Toby, 1939.
- April's Kittens, 1940. Caldecott Honors winner.
- Drawing a Cat, 1940.
- Lambert's Bargain, 1941.
- Marshmallow, 1942. Caldecott Honors winner.
- Pandora, 1944.
- The Kittens ABC, 1946, revised edition, 1965.
- Smudge, 1948. Caldecott Honors winner.
- T-Bone the Babysitter, 1950.
- Percy, Polly, and Pete, 1952.
- Ice Cream for Two, 1953.
- Widget, 1958.
- Frosty, 1961.
