Under the North Light: The Life and Work of Maud and Miska Petersham

This biography looks at the lives of two of the most influential illustrators of children's books in the 20th century and will be of interest to scholars, librarians, and art students. In lively prose, Webster recounts how two artists with disparate beginnings (Miska, an impoverished Hungarian immigrant, and Maud, daughter of a minister and descendant of the Mayflower), met in a New York art institute in 1912, married, and collaborated on exquisite award-winning children's books for more than 40 years. Comprehensive research including the artists own correspondence and letters from children; commentary from authors, reviewers, educators, and businessmen; and interviews with family members results in an endearing account of the process, dedication, and joy that went into each project. Numerous texts and illustrations are discussed at length and are accompanied by vibrant colorful reproductions. The author emphasizes the artists' originality and significance, noting that their work presents a picture of the cultural trends of their times. Webster discusses the criticism as well as the accolades. He acknowledges that today's critics, more sensitive to cultural stereotypes, find some of the books outdated. The 1946 Caldecott award The Rooster Crows (Macmillan) was reissued in the 1964 printing minus two pages of offensive stereotyping.—Jackie Gropman, formerly at Fairfax County Public Library System, Fairfax, VA