She trusted her immense intuition and generous heart--and published the most. Ursula Nordstrom, director of Harper's Department of Books for Boys a...
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Jun 12, 2008
Shelley
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This is possibly the best book ever. Ursula Nordstrom was the head editor at Harpers for many decades, and this is a collection of her professional letters to the authors and illustrators we all love. Her letters themselves are fantastic, witty and intelligent and so very interesting. The topics managed to be even better - I loved seeing her editing in action, and seeing how she shaped all those books into their final versions. Not to mention getting to "know" all of the authors and il
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Aug 08, 2010
Dasha
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One of the more inspiring books I have ever read - I started out just wanting to see how this woman [the editor of most of my favorite children's books of 1950-1980:] talked to her authors and illustrators - I made mental notes - oh see she sounds cross, but she is just being supportive and constructive, etc.
But the more I read it, the more Ursula's own personality was fleshed out - these letters do really give a sense of what a force she must have been - she doesn't give too many personal More...
But the more I read it, the more Ursula's own personality was fleshed out - these letters do really give a sense of what a force she must have been - she doesn't give too many personal More...
Dec 01, 2009
Dave
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If I were stranded on a desert island with only five books, this would be one of them for sure. Not only was Ursula a daring, ground-breaking editor who revolutionized children's books, but she was also a brilliant communicator. If she was writing about the color of orange juice, she'd still be a hoot.
But lucky for us she wasn't writing about citrus fruit—she was writing about kids books, and publishing and personalities. Sometimes we even see her frustrations with politics and cultu More...
But lucky for us she wasn't writing about citrus fruit—she was writing about kids books, and publishing and personalities. Sometimes we even see her frustrations with politics and cultu More...
May 31, 2009
Jennifer
rated it:
I have a new heroine, and her name is Ursula Nordstrom.
I first became aware of Nordstrom a few weeks ago when Elizabeth Bird of the Fuse #8 blog on the School Library Journal website was counting down the Top 100 Picture Books Poll. Of the 100 books on the list, Nordstrom edited 12 of them, more than any other single person.
Nordstrom was an editor for Harpers from the 1930's-1970's. She is considered a pioneer in the area of children's books. She edited many of the chil More...
I first became aware of Nordstrom a few weeks ago when Elizabeth Bird of the Fuse #8 blog on the School Library Journal website was counting down the Top 100 Picture Books Poll. Of the 100 books on the list, Nordstrom edited 12 of them, more than any other single person.
Nordstrom was an editor for Harpers from the 1930's-1970's. She is considered a pioneer in the area of children's books. She edited many of the chil More...
Mar 06, 2009
Susan
rated it:
For anyone who loves children's books, this collection of letters by a genius of an editor is absolutely indispensable for its insights into writing, illustrating, editing, and publishing. It also contains many fascinating tidbits about a host of famous authors and illustrators. Best of all, the voice in those letters is that of a funny, smart, irresistible human being whose amusing comments often made me smile. Of a sales manager who responded with intense emotion to a reading of Bedtime for
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Dec 23, 2008
Carter
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Oh, to have a letter from UN. Talk about one of the all-time people out there. Is it okay for my heart to be saddened by her death even though it was... 20 years ago this year!? A hearty recommend to anyone interested in children's literature.
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Jun 18, 2010
Melody
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What I liked about this collection of letters is the way UN's wry wit was always in evidence. It was fun to read some of the letters to authors I know and love.
What I didn't like was the lack of context, the disconnected nature of only getting one side of the conversation.
What drove me crazy is maybe only something I don't understand, perhaps some scholarly convention- but I found it maddening that the editor assigned "short" names to some of the authors as if he would be referring to them by More...
What I didn't like was the lack of context, the disconnected nature of only getting one side of the conversation.
What drove me crazy is maybe only something I don't understand, perhaps some scholarly convention- but I found it maddening that the editor assigned "short" names to some of the authors as if he would be referring to them by More...
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Oct 24, 2009
Sarah
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These collected letters of one of the most formative figures in children’s literature were interesting on many levels. The letters themselves were fun to read: Nordstrom certainly had a flair for the dramatic. They provided an insider’s glimpse of the making of books by Laura Ingalls Wilder, Maurice Sendak, and E. B. White, to name just a few. The manner in which Nordstrom communicated was also educational: especially in delicate situations she displayed much of the graciousness and tact I aspir
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Apr 12, 2010
Dianna
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How I enjoyed this book! All it is is letters written by one of the most notable children's book editors ever, Ursula Nordstrom, who worked for Harper. The letters go from 1937 until 1982. This really was a golden age for children's literature, and it was so fun to see letters and production details about some of my favorite books. Laura Ingalls Wilder, E B White, Maurice Sendak, Meindert DeJong, Margaret Wise Brown, Ruth Krauss, Garth Williams, and many others are all there.
I loved More...
I loved More...
Jul 20, 2011
Alison
rated it: 
Very interesting perspective from the letters of UN. It left me wanting more of the letters, the ones many would think boring perhaps but would be connections to the ones that were printed. I also would have loved more biography added as well as stories told by the authors themselves (or other friends) to lend another perspective of this highly interesting woman. Also, it's so easy to say that this woman was strong, a leader, ahead of her time, etc, but I love how the letters reflect more than j
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Oct 16, 2011
Courtney
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I'm not usually a big fan of collections of letters, but living with Ursula Nordstrom and her many close, occasionally combative, frank and loving letters to the writers and illustrators she worked with for 30 odd years the past two weeks has been an utter delight.
Nordstrom's voice is quite unique: eloquent, warm, frisky. After a couple of hectic, focused months at work, having this voice inside my head - a voice that's miles away from workaday client correspondence - has broken ope More...
Nordstrom's voice is quite unique: eloquent, warm, frisky. After a couple of hectic, focused months at work, having this voice inside my head - a voice that's miles away from workaday client correspondence - has broken ope More...
Nov 02, 2010
Rachel
rated it:
Stuart Little. Charlotte's Web. The Runaway Bunny. Little House in the Big Woods. Bedtime for Frances. Where the Wild Things Are. A Kiss for Little Bear. It's Like This, Cat. Freaky Friday. Harriet the Spy.
It's hard to imagine that a single individual was involved in the publication of so many beloved childhood classics, but Ursula Nordstrom was such a woman. As director of Harper Publishing's childrens department from 1940 to 1973, she was friend and mentor to some of the More...
It's hard to imagine that a single individual was involved in the publication of so many beloved childhood classics, but Ursula Nordstrom was such a woman. As director of Harper Publishing's childrens department from 1940 to 1973, she was friend and mentor to some of the More...
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Nov 03, 2008
Paul
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An interesting read to see, from the editor's point of view, how some of the most famous children's books came into being. Works by authors like Sendak and Shel Silverstein, and books like Harriet the Spy and Charlotte's Web abound here in the Nordstrom letters, with the authors' careers forming, and the books themselves being jiggled back and forth until both editor and author felt they were just right.
Nordstrom had a very cajoling style to her editing, but also quite a force comin More...
Nordstrom had a very cajoling style to her editing, but also quite a force comin More...
May 04, 2008
Susann
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Laurie was so right; I loved this book. Ursula Nordstrom was the editor for Harper's children's books for decades, working with Margaret Wise Brown, EB White, Maurice Sendak, Louise Fitzhugh and a bazillion others. She shaped 20th century kidlit and happened to be an excellent letter writer to boot. It was fascinating to watch how she worked with all those writers and illustrators. I had never really thought about illustrator-editor conversations and I was especially interested in her Garth Wil
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Aug 16, 2011
Jennifer
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This book should be on the "to read" list of anyone who loves children's books. Ursula Nordstrom edited Maurice Sendak, Shel Silverstein, E.B. White, Laura Ingalls Wilder (nominally, apparently she never changed a word of her manuscripts), Margaret and H.A. Rey, Margaret Wise Brown, Ruth Krauss, Ezra Jack Keats...need I go on? Her correspondence is warm, witty, and passionate. She was a woman ascending the ladder of publishing in a time when that was uncommon rare.
Nov 23, 2009
Karen
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As someone who works in children's publishing, I found this book inspiring and yet a little depressing. While UN certainly had to contend with bottom-line issues (and general lack of respect for "kiddie lit" in the early days) she also had the freedom to take chances with talent and concepts she believed in. The opportunities to follow your gut in publishing are few and far between these days. But again, mostly this book was inspiring.
Oct 28, 2010
Josephine
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It's very cool to read Ms. Nordstrom's editorial letters to icons like Sendak and E.B. White. I felt like I got a small glimpse into an era when writers worked with one editor for decades and wrote on typewriters and sent carbon copies. Yet, it's reassuring to know there are certain themes that never change. Pacing, character development, and telling a story that feels *true* are still just as important as they always were.
Dec 17, 2008
Wendy
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While I was waiting to hear back from editors, I treated myself to this book so that I could hear from THE legendary editor of HarperCollins, who single-handedly discovered and guided the likes of Maurice Sendak, Louise Fitzhugh, Elsie Minarik, the Hobans and countless other legends of children's literature. It was amazing to get a glimpse of her thought process, and her voice is priceless.
Jan 10, 2011
Pilar
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Wonderful, fascinating lady. Reading this, I loved the person who wrote these letters, then learned that Ursula Nordstrom had written one of my favorite books as a child -- The Secret Language. It was the only book that she wrote and published, I think, but it made a huge impact on my eight year-old self. Her letters reveal her to be completely wonderful in her professional life, too.
Mar 09, 2011
In my hands now, and I'm so excited:
"December 9, 1949
Dear Nowell:
(1). Please don't address me as "Dear Baby." I was young and eager when you knew me but now I'm a large, middle-aged woman even though my last anguished letter to you didn't sound very mature. (2). It was wonderful to have your good crazy sensible letter."
Now that's a letter from your editor. Or:
"Dear Mick,
The copy-editor brought the revised More...
"December 9, 1949
Dear Nowell:
(1). Please don't address me as "Dear Baby." I was young and eager when you knew me but now I'm a large, middle-aged woman even though my last anguished letter to you didn't sound very mature. (2). It was wonderful to have your good crazy sensible letter."
Now that's a letter from your editor. Or:
"Dear Mick,
The copy-editor brought the revised More...
Mar 08, 2008
Rory
rated it:
I cannot express how wonderful this book is. ESPECIALLY if you're into children's literature. My co-workers are going to go gaga over it; I can't wait to pass it on. Ursula Nordstrom (what a name!) was the head editor for children's books at Harper's for more than 30 years. She ushered so many classics into the world: Where the Wild Things Are, Harold and the Purple Crayon, Charlotte's Web, Harriet the Spy, Goodnight Moon, the Little House books, and so many more.
This book is a coll More...
This book is a coll More...
Aug 22, 2010
Charlotte
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A tiny peak into how my favorite children's books became what they are. Every time she makes a suggestion to one of her authors, I think "Yes! This tiny change is the difference between a great book and something read and forgotten right after." Editors don't always get the credit they deserve, and she's one of the greats.
Aug 16, 2011
Susan
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This was a fascinating collection of letters from the famous children's book editor Ursula Nordstrom to many of "her" authors, including Maurice Sendak, Louise Fitzhugh, Robert Rey, etc. Amazing to see her commitment to their talent and to read her encouraging words, as well as her more specific notes about specific manuscripts. I don't know if this was ever common or if it is simply unique to Nordstrom, herself -- an editor so involved and supportive of the nurturing of the talent of
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Feb 21, 2010
Wendy
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GREAT BOOK! Ursula Nordstrom was the Harper & Brothers editor who corresponded with some of the most talented and loved children's book writers and illustrators, including Laura Ingalls Wilder, E. B. White, Shel Silverstein, Maurice Sendak, etc.
May 11, 2011
Ursula Nordstrom was editor for some of the greatest and most popular children's books of all times. . . these are some of the letters she wrote to her authors as they were working on their projects.
Mar 09, 2010
Claire
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Ursula Nordstrom is wonderful: witty, self-deprecating, kind (mostly). Think of a children's book author or illustrator that you've read, and this former children's editor with Harper & Row probably mentored them: Laura Ingalls Wilder, Maurice Sendak, EB White, Garth Williams, H.A. and Margret Rey, Margaret Wise Brown... If you grew up on these peoples' books (and pity you if you didn't) you'll love this behind-the-scenes peek at how their books were created. Ursula Nordstrom was an open-minded
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Dec 16, 2009
Molly
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My favorite parts of this book were Nordstrom's letters to E.B. White and Garth Williams about the illustrations for Charlotte's Web...so wonderful to think about getting Charlotte to look just right.
Feb 09, 2009
Barbara
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Enjoyed the glimpses of background behind the children's books I'm so familiar with . . . and the glimpses of Nordstrom's personality. Fun read.
May 21, 2011
Heather
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I came to a greater appreciation of what it takes to make it in the publishing world. She was an amazing lady.
Dec 16, 2009
Kyla
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I couldn't stop saying as I read "This is the perfect book for me!" She is my hero and my idol and my dream editor - the way she nurtured and pushed people along and cared for children's books and offered encouragement and praise - really astonishing. The people she worked with are all gods in my mind: E.B White, Laura Ingalls Wilder, Maurice Sendak, Charlotte Zolotw, Louise Fitzhugh - on and on. E.B White is the only manuscripts she never had to make a change to, which confirms my sus
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