Tasha Tudor facts for kids

Tasha Tudor (born August 28, 1915 – died June 18, 2008) was a famous American artist. She was an amazing illustrator and writer. Tasha Tudor created many beloved children's books. Her work often showed a love for old-fashioned New England life.

Who Was Tasha Tudor?

Tasha Tudor was born in Boston, Massachusetts. Her birth name was Starling Burgess. Her father was a naval architect named W. Starling Burgess. Her mother, Rosamund Tudor, was a well-known painter. Tasha's father loved the character Natasha from the book War and Peace. So, he soon renamed his daughter Natasha. Later, her name was shortened to Tasha.

Early Life and Family

Tasha spent her first few years in Marblehead, Massachusetts. Then, her family moved to North Chevy Chase in Maryland. This move happened because her father was helping with the war effort. When she was young, people often introduced her as "Rosamund Tudor's daughter, Tasha." This made others think her last name was Tudor. She liked the sound of it and later officially changed her last name to Tudor.

In 1938, Tasha married Thomas McCready. They bought an old farm in Webster, New Hampshire. There, they raised their four children: Bethany, Seth, Thomas, and Efner. Tasha's first book, Pumpkin Moonshine, was published in 1938. She wrote it as a special gift for her husband's young niece. Tasha and Thomas divorced in 1961. After that, her children legally changed their last names to Tudor. She later married Allan John Woods, but that marriage was very short.

Tasha Tudor's Artistic Journey

Tasha Tudor illustrated almost 100 books. Her last book, Corgiville Christmas, came out in 2003. She often worked with her friend Mary Mason Campbell on books. In 1957, she also helped make a short film called The Golden Key. This film showed her amazing fantasy world.

Tudor lived in Marlboro, Vermont. Her house was a copy of a home belonging to her friends, Donn and Doris Purvis. Her son Seth built the house for her. He lived next door with his family. Tasha and Seth worked closely on many family projects.

Awards and Recognition

Tasha Tudor received many awards for her work. She earned Caldecott Honors for her books Mother Goose in 1945 and 1 is One in 1957. In 1971, she received the Regina Medal. This award recognized her important contributions to children's literature.

What Makes Her Books Special?

Her books have simple, often rhyming stories. They are filled with detailed and realistic drawings. These drawings use soft, gentle colors. The pictures and text often have beautiful borders. These borders might show flowers, birds, or other charming objects. Her work often reminds people of traditions and memories from the 1800s. Tasha Tudor's books are very special to her many fans.

Besides books, she also created thousands of original artworks. These artworks appeared on Christmas cards, Advent calendars, Valentines, and posters. You can find her original art in museums, libraries, and private collections worldwide.

One of her most famous books is Corgiville Fair, published in 1971. This book was the first to feature human-like corgi dogs. It became very popular.

Later Years and Exhibitions

For many years, Tasha Tudor traveled around the country. She gave speeches at libraries, colleges, and museums. Her last big public appearances were at an exhibition in 1996-1997. This show was held at Colonial Williamsburg. It displayed many of her personal items and dollhouse objects. It also showed the original drawings and stories for Corgiville Fair and A Time to Keep.

Another exhibition, "Tasha Tudor's Spirit of the Holidays," celebrated her holiday artwork. This show was displayed at the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, Massachusetts in 2005-2006. It also went to the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan in 2006-2007. The exhibit traveled to other museums too. It included early oil paintings of Tasha by her mother.

The largest collection of Tasha Tudor's books and materials is at the de Grummond Children's Literature Collection. This collection is at the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg. It includes her letters and some original artwork.

Tasha Tudor's Legacy

Tasha Tudor passed away on June 18, 2008, in Marlboro, Vermont. Her daughters, Bethany Tudor and Efner Holmes, are also talented authors and illustrators. They continue her artistic legacy.

Selected Books by Tasha Tudor

Here are some of the books Tasha Tudor wrote and illustrated herself:

• Pumpkin Moonshine
• Alexander the Gander
• A Tale for Easter
• Snow before Christmas
• Thistly B
• The Dolls' Christmas
• Edgar Allan Crow
• Amanda and the Bear
• A is for Annabelle
• 1 is One
• A Time to Keep
• Corgiville Fair
• Tasha Tudor's Seasons of Delight
• The Great Corgiville Kidnapping

Here are some books that Tasha Tudor illustrated for other authors:

• A Child's Garden of Verses, by Robert Louis Stevenson, 1947
• Increase Rabbit, by Thomas L. McCready, 1958
• The Secret Garden, by Frances Hodgson Burnett, 1962
• A Little Princess, by Frances Hodgson Burnett, 1963
• Wings from the Wind: An Anthology of Poems, 1964
• The Wind in the Willows, by Kenneth Grahame, 1966
• Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott, 1969
• The Night Before Christmas, by Clement Clarke Moore, 1975
• A Basket of Herbs, by Mary Mason Campbell, 1983
• Mother Goose, 1989