Marjorie Flack facts for kids
Marjorie Flack (born October 22, 1897 – died August 29, 1958) was an American artist and writer. She created many popular children's picture books. Flack was born in Greenport, Long Island, New York.
She is best known for her book The Story about Ping (published in 1933). This book was illustrated by Kurt Wiese and became very popular, especially after being featured on the TV show Captain Kangaroo. Marjorie Flack also wrote stories about a very curious Scottish terrier dog named Angus. Angus was actually her own pet dog!
Marjorie Flack was married twice. Her first husband was the artist Karl Larsson. Later, she married the poet William Rose Benét.
Her Books in Movies and Awards
One of Marjorie Flack's books, Angus Lost, was shown in the movie Ask the Dust (2006). In this movie, the main character, played by Colin Farrell, teaches another character, played by Salma Hayek, to read English using Flack's book.
Marjorie Flack's grandson, Tim Barnum, and his wife, Darlene Enix-Barnum, honor her memory. They sponsor an annual writing award at Anne Arundel Community College. This award is called The Marjorie Flack Award for Fiction. It gives $250 to a student who writes the best short story or children's storybook.
Marjorie Flack also received an important award for her work. She earned a Caldecott Honor in 1947 for her book Boats on the River. This award recognizes excellent American picture books for children.
List of Books by Marjorie Flack
Here are some of the books Marjorie Flack wrote or illustrated:
- The Story about Ping, illustrated by Kurt Wiese
- Ask Mr. Bear
- Angus and the Ducks (1930)
- Angus and the Cat
- Angus Lost (1932)
- The Country Bunny and the Little Gold Shoes (illustrator, 1939; written by DuBose Heyward)
- Walter, the Lazy Mouse
- Up In The Air, illustrated by Karl Larsson
- The Boats on the River, illustrated by Jay Hyde Barnum
- Wait for William
- Lucky little Lena (around 1937, published in 1940)
- Tim Tadpole and the Great Bullfrog
- Neighbors on the Hill
- The Restless Robin
- Angus and Wagtail Bess
- All around the town: The story of a boy in New York
- Humphrey: One Hundred Years Along the Wayside with a Box Turtle
- Angus and Topsy (First Published in Great Britain in 1935)
