Idella Purnell facts for kids

Idella Purnell (born April 1, 1901 – died December 1, 1982) was a talented Mexican academic, librarian, teacher, and author of children's books. She was also known as Idella Purnell Stone and Ikey Stone.

Early Life and Education

Idella Purnell was born in Guadalajara, Mexico. Her father was a dentist. She started teaching in primary schools in Guadalajara at a very young age, in 1915.

Later, she moved to the United States to study. She attended the University of California, Berkeley. While there, she was an associate editor for a literary magazine called The Occident. She graduated from the university in 1922.

A Career Full of Variety

After finishing college, Idella returned to Guadalajara. She worked as a secretary at the American Consulate from 1922 to 1924.

In 1923, she started her own poetry magazine, Palms. She continued to publish this magazine until 1930. In 1925, she became the head of the foreign book department at the Los Angeles Public Library.

Idella Purnell was always busy with new projects. In 1932, she helped organize and lead the first summer session at the University of Guadalajara. From 1935 to 1937, she even managed a gold mine in Ameca, Mexico. Around this time, she also began writing and publishing her own stories.

Starting in 1938, she taught creative writing in Los Angeles. During World War II, she worked as a riveter. This meant she helped build aircraft for companies like Douglas Aviation and Fletcher Aviation.

Family Life

Idella Purnell was married twice. In 1927, she married John M. Weatherwax, but they later divorced around 1930.

On September 10, 1932, she married Remington Stone. They had two children together: Marijane Stone, born in 1934, and Remington P.S. Stone, born in 1938. They also helped raise her niece, Carrie Purnell.

Recognized for Her Work

Idella Purnell received several honors for her contributions. Her book, The Merry Frogs, was recognized as a Julia Ellsworth Ford Foundation Book in 1936. She also received a special diploma from the Second Mexican Congress for the Fine Arts and Humanities.

Idella Purnell passed away in Los Angeles in 1982.