John Lawson (children's author)
Encyclopedia
John S. “Jack” Lawson was the author of several children’s books. He was born in New York City to John and Nancy Sommers Lawson. He graduated from Exeter and Harvard College. After serving in World War II he travelled through the mountains of Virginia, where he settled on a farm. He later worked in New York City, in the brokerage business, but continued to return regularly to the farm, where he and his wife, Charlotte, raised two daughters. His first novel, You Better Come Home With Me, grew out of stories he told his daughters, Catherine and Elizabeth. It was illustrated by Arnold Spilka
. His second novel, The Spring Rider, won the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award
in 1968. Like his other books, The Spring Rider was based in the southern Appalachian mountains which Lawson had made his home. Although all of his books contain some fantastical elements, The Spring Rider, has been recognized as an early example of a ghost story for children. His third novel, If Pigs Could Fly, was published in 1989. While The Spring Rider reflected realistic history of the Civil War, If Pigs Could Fly was a whimsical adventure of a young man in the Battle of New Orleans at the end of the War of 1812. Both of his earlier books were included in the University of Chicago's guide to children's literature, The Best in Children's Books, where his writing was described as "often lyric, often ironic, always subtle, . . . always fanciful. . ."
Arnold Spilka
Arnold Spilka is a children's illustrator, author and poet. He was born 13 November 1917, in New York City.Spilka studied at the Art Students League, studied drawing with Rico Lebrun, and studied sculpture with John Hovannes. He illustrated many books for other authors, including Robert Froman,...
. His second novel, The Spring Rider, won the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award
Boston Globe-Horn Book Award
The Boston Globe–Horn Book Awards were first presented by The Boston Globe and Horn Book Magazine in 1967. They are among the most prestigious honors in the United States in the field of children’s and young adult literature...
in 1968. Like his other books, The Spring Rider was based in the southern Appalachian mountains which Lawson had made his home. Although all of his books contain some fantastical elements, The Spring Rider, has been recognized as an early example of a ghost story for children. His third novel, If Pigs Could Fly, was published in 1989. While The Spring Rider reflected realistic history of the Civil War, If Pigs Could Fly was a whimsical adventure of a young man in the Battle of New Orleans at the end of the War of 1812. Both of his earlier books were included in the University of Chicago's guide to children's literature, The Best in Children's Books, where his writing was described as "often lyric, often ironic, always subtle, . . . always fanciful. . ."