Mercer Mayer
Encyclopedia
Mercer Mayer is an American
children's book writer and illustrator. He has published over 300 books using a wide range of illustrative styles (see his bibliography
for a list). Mayer is probably best known for his "Little Critter
" and "Little Monster
" series of books.
Mayer's father was in the United States Navy
, so the family moved many times during his childhood before settling in Honolulu, Hawaii
. There, Mayer graduated from high school in 1961. While attending school at the Honolulu Academy of Arts
, Mayer decided to enter the field of children's book illustration. To that end, he created a portfolio of sketches and peddled them wherever he could. Though his professors feared the young artist would never be good enough to make a living as an illustrator, Mayer was not dissuaded.
Mayer moved from Hawaii to New York City
in 1964, pursuing further instruction at the Art Students League of New York
, where he met an artist named Marianna
who became his first wife. He also met an art director who told Mayer that his portfolio was so bad that he needed to throw it away. Though offended, Mayer did. During his spare time from his job at an advertising agency, the artist created a completely new portfolio. These new sketches persuaded editors at Dial Press and Harper & Row to give him some illustration work.
Mayer published his first book, A Boy, a Dog, and a Frog, at Dial Press
in 1967. It was notable for being a completely wordless picture book—one that tells its story entirely through the use of pictures. Mayer was one of the first illustrators to be credited for using this format. Five more books in this series were to follow.
The book There's a Nightmare in My Closet drew on Mayer's childhood fears of monsters in his room at night. Critics compared the book, unfavorably, to Maurice Sendak
's Where the Wild Things Are
, but children and their parents loved the story and it became very popular.
Mayer joined Golden Publishing, creators of Little Golden Books
, in 1976. Through them he has sold his "Little Critter" and "Little Monster" series, which are popular with beginning readers.
In 1978, Mayer divorced Marianna. The following year, he married his second wife, Jo. The couple had three children, Len, Arden and a daughter named Jessie. Mayer and his third wife Gina, with whom he had two more sons (Ben and Zebulon) currently live in Roxbury, Connecticut
. Gina has been collaborating with him on many of his books since the early 1990s.
In addition to writing and illustrating his own books, Mayer has collaborated on many projects with other children's authors. He has illustrated books for John Bellairs
, Jane Yolen
, Jan Wahl
, Jay Williams
, John D. Fitzgerald
, among others.
Brain
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
children's book writer and illustrator. He has published over 300 books using a wide range of illustrative styles (see his bibliography
Bibliography of Mercer Mayer
-List of titles:The following is a partial list of books that Mercer Mayer has written and/or illustrated. It also includes books and items that are related to Mercer Mayer and his creations ....
for a list). Mayer is probably best known for his "Little Critter
Little Critter
Little Critter is an anthropomorphic animal character created by Mercer Mayer. Although his creator has not specified which type of animal the Little Critter is, he resembles a hamster or guinea pig. Little Critter first appeared in the 1975 book Just for You. This book is sometimes mis-titled...
" and "Little Monster
Little Monster
Little Monster is an anthropomorphic character created by Mercer Mayer. He looks like a mix of a dinosaur and a dragon. Little Monster first appeared in the 1977 book Little Monster's Word Book, but many characters in the Little Monster series were first introduced in the 1975 book One Monster...
" series of books.
Mayer's father was in the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
, so the family moved many times during his childhood before settling in Honolulu, Hawaii
Honolulu, Hawaii
Honolulu is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Hawaii. Honolulu is the southernmost major U.S. city. Although the name "Honolulu" refers to the urban area on the southeastern shore of the island of Oahu, the city and county government are consolidated as the City and...
. There, Mayer graduated from high school in 1961. While attending school at the Honolulu Academy of Arts
Honolulu Academy of Arts
The Honolulu Academy of Arts is an art museum in Honolulu in the state of Hawaii. Since its founding in 1922 by Anna Rice Cooke and opening April 8, 1927, its collections have grown to over 40,000 works of art.-Description:...
, Mayer decided to enter the field of children's book illustration. To that end, he created a portfolio of sketches and peddled them wherever he could. Though his professors feared the young artist would never be good enough to make a living as an illustrator, Mayer was not dissuaded.
Mayer moved from Hawaii to New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
in 1964, pursuing further instruction at the Art Students League of New York
Art Students League of New York
The Art Students League of New York is an art school located on West 57th Street in New York City. The League has historically been known for its broad appeal to both amateurs and professional artists, and has maintained for over 130 years a tradition of offering reasonably priced classes on a...
, where he met an artist named Marianna
Marianna Mayer
Marianna Mayer is a well-known children’s book writer and artist from Roxbury, Connecticut. Her early education was in the field of the visual arts. Her first book was published when she was nineteen years old. After graduating from college, she became a student painter at the Art Students...
who became his first wife. He also met an art director who told Mayer that his portfolio was so bad that he needed to throw it away. Though offended, Mayer did. During his spare time from his job at an advertising agency, the artist created a completely new portfolio. These new sketches persuaded editors at Dial Press and Harper & Row to give him some illustration work.
Mayer published his first book, A Boy, a Dog, and a Frog, at Dial Press
Dial Press
The Dial Press was a publishing house founded in 1923 by Lincoln MacVeagh.Dial Press shared a building with The Dial and Scofield Thayer worked with both. The first imprint was issued in 1924. Authors included Elizabeth Bowen, W.R...
in 1967. It was notable for being a completely wordless picture book—one that tells its story entirely through the use of pictures. Mayer was one of the first illustrators to be credited for using this format. Five more books in this series were to follow.
The book There's a Nightmare in My Closet drew on Mayer's childhood fears of monsters in his room at night. Critics compared the book, unfavorably, to Maurice Sendak
Maurice Sendak
Maurice Bernard Sendak is an American writer and illustrator of children's literature. He is best known for his book Where the Wild Things Are, published in 1963.-Early life:...
's Where the Wild Things Are
Where The Wild Things Are
Where the Wild Things Are is a 1963 children's picture book by American writer and illustrator Maurice Sendak, originally published by Harper & Row. The book has been adapted into other media several times, including an animated short in 1973 , a 1980 opera, and, in 2009, a live-action feature film...
, but children and their parents loved the story and it became very popular.
Mayer joined Golden Publishing, creators of Little Golden Books
Little Golden Books
Little Golden Books is a popular series of children's books. The first 12 titles were published on October 1, 1942:#Three Little Kittens#Bedtime Stories#Mother Goose#Prayers for Children#The Little Red Hen#Nursery Songs...
, in 1976. Through them he has sold his "Little Critter" and "Little Monster" series, which are popular with beginning readers.
In 1978, Mayer divorced Marianna. The following year, he married his second wife, Jo. The couple had three children, Len, Arden and a daughter named Jessie. Mayer and his third wife Gina, with whom he had two more sons (Ben and Zebulon) currently live in Roxbury, Connecticut
Roxbury, Connecticut
Roxbury is a town in Litchfield County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 2,136 at the 2000 census.-History:Roxbury, whose Indian name was "Shepaug", a Mahican name signifiying "rocky water", was settled about the year 1713...
. Gina has been collaborating with him on many of his books since the early 1990s.
In addition to writing and illustrating his own books, Mayer has collaborated on many projects with other children's authors. He has illustrated books for John Bellairs
John Bellairs
John Anthony Bellairs was an American author, best known for his well-respected fantasy novel The Face in the Frost as well as many gothic mystery novels for young adults featuring Lewis Barnavelt, Anthony Monday, and Johnny Dixon.-Biography:After earning degrees at University of Notre Dame and...
, Jane Yolen
Jane Yolen
Jane Hyatt Yolen is an American author and editor of almost 300 books. These include folklore, fantasy, science fiction, and children's books...
, Jan Wahl
Jan Wahl
Jan Boyer Wahl is an American children's book author.Jan was born in Columbus, Ohio. His father is physician Russell Rothenberger, and his mother is Nina Marie Boyer Wahl.Jan Wahl is also well-known as a collector of old films....
, Jay Williams
Jay Williams (author)
Jay Williams was an American author born in Buffalo, New York, the son of Max and Lillian Jacobson. He cited the experience of growing up as the son of a vaudeville show producer as leading him to pursue his acting career as early as college...
, John D. Fitzgerald
John D. Fitzgerald
John Dennis Fitzgerald was an American author.Fitzgerald was born in Price, Utah, the son of an Irish Catholic father and a Scandinavian Mormon mother...
, among others.
Well known series
- Little CritterLittle CritterLittle Critter is an anthropomorphic animal character created by Mercer Mayer. Although his creator has not specified which type of animal the Little Critter is, he resembles a hamster or guinea pig. Little Critter first appeared in the 1975 book Just for You. This book is sometimes mis-titled...
- Little MonsterLittle MonsterLittle Monster is an anthropomorphic character created by Mercer Mayer. He looks like a mix of a dinosaur and a dragon. Little Monster first appeared in the 1977 book Little Monster's Word Book, but many characters in the Little Monster series were first introduced in the 1975 book One Monster...
- A Boy, a Dog,
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External links
- Little Critter, Mercer Mayer's official website