Family & Social Life

Original artwork used for page 17 of the book, Doctor Squash the Doll Doctor, written by Margaret Wise Brown with illustrations by J.P. Miller and published by Simon & Schuster in New York, New York, in 1952.

John Parr Miller (1913-2004) was a native New Yorker who initially worked in the model department of Disney Studios from 1934-1942. He created characters for some of the earliest Disney productions, including Pinocchio, Fantasia and Dumbo. His interests expanded to include children’s illustrations, and his first assignment with Little Golden Books was the artwork for the Little Red Hen, one of the original fifteen books published in 1942. Working in a simple somewhat abstract style, Miller utilized bold, sharp lines and bright colors to make his images appear more graphic than painterly.

Doctor Squash the Doll Doctor written by Margaret Wise Brown with illustrations by J.P. Miller and published by Simon & Schuster, 1952.

John Parr Miller (1913-2004) was a native New Yorker who initially worked in the model department of Disney Studios from 1934-1942. He created characters for some of the earliest Disney productions, including Pinocchio, Fantasia and Dumbo. His interests expanded to include children’s illustrations, and his first assignment with Little Golden Books was the artwork for the Little Red Hen, one of the original fifteen books published in 1942. Working in a simple somewhat abstract style, Miller utilized bold, sharp lines and bright colors to make his images appear more graphic than painterly.

Original artwork used for page 6 of the book, Doctor Squash the Doll Doctor, written by Margaret Wise Brown with illustrations by J.P. Miller and published by Simon & Schuster in New York, New York, in 1952.

John Parr Miller (1913-2004) was a native New Yorker who initially worked in the model department of Disney Studios from 1934-1942. He created characters for some of the earliest Disney productions, including Pinocchio, Fantasia and Dumbo. His interests expanded to include children’s illustrations, and his first assignment with Little Golden Books was the artwork for the Little Red Hen, one of the original fifteen books published in 1942. Working in a simple somewhat abstract style, Miller utilized bold, sharp lines and bright colors to make his images appear more graphic than painterly.

Original artwork, of page 1, for the book Here Comes the Parade, written by Kathryn Jackson with illustrations by Richard Scarry, and published by Simon & Schuster in New York, New York, in 1951.

Better known for his animal characters and the Busytown series, Richard Scarry (1919-1994) was one of the most prolific authors and illustrators of 20th century children’s books. He attended the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston until he was drafted into the army during World War II. After the war, Scarry worked as a freelance artist and contracted with Simon & Schuster to work on the Little Golden Book series. His first illustrations appeared in Two Little Miners, a 1949 story written by Margaret Wise Brown. Scarry’s most popular Little Golden Book was Best Word Book Ever, published in 1963. He published more than 500 children’s books, most depicting animals who took on human characteristics.

In Here Comes the Parade, depicting the beloved Macy's Thanksgiving parade in downtown New York City, Scarry's illustrations are sketched in pencil, colored with gouache and outlined with pen and ink. This annual celebration ushers in the busy Christmas holiday season and Scarry includes a vast array of participants, including a policeman, vendors, performers, bands, spectators and of course the giant balloons. The balloon figures include well-known book characters from The Wizard of Oz, as well as more recent popular TV figures such as Howdy Doody and Mickey Mouse and his friends.

The book’s subject represents one of the basic concepts supported by the progressive education movement, which encouraged literature celebrating the “here and now”—everyday life experiences—and aimed to tell stories about real events.

Original artwork, of page 11, from the book Howdy Doody's Lucky Trip, written by Edward Kean with illustrations by Harry McNaught, and published by Simon & Schuster in New York, New York, in 1953.

In addition to Howdy Doody's Lucky Trip, Harry McNaught illustrated several Little Golden Books, including the Wizard of Oz series from the 1950s, the popular Animal Babies and several Big Golden Books on nature and science. More recently, he created the images for two Little Golden Books on the characters from the Muppets.

From 1947 to 1960, the Howdy Doody Show was the leading children’s TV program in the United States. The creator of the Howdy Doody character, “Buffalo” Bob Smith, first performed him as a radio character. When the show transitioned to TV, Frank Paris created the new puppet, but left the show (with the puppet) in 1948 to disputes over merchandising rights. Velma Dawson created the now ubiquitous Howdy Doody that debuted in 1949. This Howdy Doody became popular spokes character, hawking sponsored products on the show or in print.

Original artwork used for page 4 of the book, Doctor Squash the Doll Doctor, written by Margaret Wise Brown with illustrations by J.P. Miller and published by Simon & Schuster in New York, New York, in 1952.

John Parr Miller (1913-2004) was a native New Yorker who initially worked in the model department of Disney Studios from 1934-1942. He created characters for some of the earliest Disney productions, including Pinocchio, Fantasia and Dumbo. His interests expanded to include children’s illustrations, and his first assignment with Little Golden Books was the artwork for the Little Red Hen, one of the original fifteen books published in 1942. Working in a simple somewhat abstract style, Miller utilized bold, sharp lines and bright colors to make his images appear more graphic than painterly.

Original artwork, of page 20, from the book Howdy Doody's Lucky Trip, written by Edward Kean with illustrations by Harry McNaught, and published by Simon & Schuster in New York, New York, in 1953.

In addition to Howdy Doody's Lucky Trip, Harry McNaught illustrated several Little Golden Books, including the Wizard of Oz series from the 1950s, the popular Animal Babies and several Big Golden Books on nature and science. More recently, he created the images for two Little Golden Books on the characters from the Muppets.

From 1947 to 1960, the Howdy Doody Show was the leading children’s TV program in the United States. The creator of the Howdy Doody character, “Buffalo” Bob Smith, first performed him as a radio character. When the show transitioned to TV, Frank Paris created the new puppet, but left the show (with the puppet) in 1948 to disputes over merchandising rights. Velma Dawson created the now ubiquitous Howdy Doody that debuted in 1949. This Howdy Doody became popular spokes character, hawking sponsored products on the show or in print.

Original artwork, of page 13, from the book Howdy Doody's Lucky Trip, written by Edward Kean with illustrations by Harry McNaught, and published by Simon & Schuster in New York, New York, in 1953.

In addition to Howdy Doody's Lucky Trip, Harry McNaught illustrated several Little Golden Books, including the Wizard of Oz series from the 1950s, the popular Animal Babies and several Big Golden Books on nature and science. More recently, he created the images for two Little Golden Books on the characters from the Muppets.

From 1947 to 1960, the Howdy Doody Show was the leading children’s TV program in the United States. The creator of the Howdy Doody character, “Buffalo” Bob Smith, first performed him as a radio character. When the show transitioned to TV, Frank Paris created the new puppet, but left the show (with the puppet) in 1948 to disputes over merchandising rights. Velma Dawson created the now ubiquitous Howdy Doody that debuted in 1949. This Howdy Doody became popular spokes character, hawking sponsored products on the show or in print.

Original artwork, of page 4, from the book Howdy Doody's Lucky Trip, written by Edward Kean with illustrations by Harry McNaught, and published by Simon & Schuster in New York, New York, in 1953.

In addition to Howdy Doody's Lucky Trip, Harry McNaught illustrated several Little Golden Books, including the Wizard of Oz series from the 1950s, the popular Animal Babies and several Big Golden Books on nature and science. More recently, he created the images for two Little Golden Books on the characters from the Muppets.

From 1947 to 1960, the Howdy Doody Show was the leading children’s TV program in the United States. The creator of the Howdy Doody character, “Buffalo” Bob Smith, first performed him as a radio character. When the show transitioned to TV, Frank Paris created the new puppet, but left the show (with the puppet) in 1948 to disputes over merchandising rights. Velma Dawson created the now ubiquitous Howdy Doody that debuted in 1949. This Howdy Doody became popular spokes character, hawking sponsored products on the show or in print.

Original artwork, of page 4, for the book Howdy Doody's Circus, written by Edward Kean with illustrations by Liz Dauber and Don Gormely, and published by Simon & Schuster in New York, New York, in 1950.

During the 1940s and 1950s, Don Gormley created drawings for the popular Dell comic book series, Dell's Four Colors, that included Disney characters like Donald Duck, Mickey Mouse and Porky Pig as well as the popular cartoon character Oswald the Rabbit from 1942-1962. Additionally, he illustrated characters created by Walter Lantz, including Mr. McGoo and Andy Panda.

Liz Dauber's art career included working in several mediums, including illustrations, painting and magazine cover art. In her early years, she created colorful cover art for the popular New York women’s fashion magazine Mademoiselle. Married to Gregorio Prestopino, a painter of the Ashcan school, she and her husband were part of the planned community called Jersey Homesteads. Established by FDR during the Depression, this cooperative effort was meant to foster industrial, agricultural and artistic endeavors that served and enriched the community. Her illustrations for Howdy Doody's Circus was her sole effort for Little Golden Books, but she went on to illustrate several children and young adult books that featured topics about history, folklore and biographies. Her emphasis on juvenile literature also included books for the Scholastic Young Reader series and the Ginnie books.

Original artwork used for page 18 of the book, Doctor Squash the Doll Doctor, written by Margaret Wise Brown with illustrations by J.P. Miller and published by Simon & Schuster in New York, New York, in 1952.

John Parr Miller (1913-2004) was a native New Yorker who initially worked in the model department of Disney Studios from 1934-1942. He created characters for some of the earliest Disney productions, including Pinocchio, Fantasia and Dumbo. His interests expanded to include children’s illustrations, and his first assignment with Little Golden Books was the artwork for the Little Red Hen, one of the original fifteen books published in 1942. Working in a simple somewhat abstract style, Miller utilized bold, sharp lines and bright colors to make his images appear more graphic than painterly.

Original artwork, of page 21, from the book Howdy Doody's Lucky Trip, written by Edward Kean with illustrations by Harry McNaught, and published by Simon & Schuster in New York, New York, in 1953.

In addition to Howdy Doody's Lucky Trip, Harry McNaught illustrated several Little Golden Books, including the Wizard of Oz series from the 1950s, the popular Animal Babies and several Big Golden Books on nature and science. More recently, he created the images for two Little Golden Books on the characters from the Muppets.

From 1947 to 1960, the Howdy Doody Show was the leading children’s TV program in the United States. The creator of the Howdy Doody character, “Buffalo” Bob Smith, first performed him as a radio character. When the show transitioned to TV, Frank Paris created the new puppet, but left the show (with the puppet) in 1948 to disputes over merchandising rights. Velma Dawson created the now ubiquitous Howdy Doody that debuted in 1949. This Howdy Doody became popular spokes character, hawking sponsored products on the show or in print.

Original artwork, of page 10, for the book Here Comes the Parade, written by Kathryn Jackson with illustrations by Richard Scarry, and published by Simon & Schuster in New York, New York, in 1951.

Better known for his animal characters and the Busytown series, Richard Scarry (1919-1994) was one of the most prolific authors and illustrators of 20th century children’s books. He attended the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston until he was drafted into the army during World War II. After the war, Scarry worked as a freelance artist and contracted with Simon & Schuster to work on the Little Golden Book series. His first illustrations appeared in Two Little Miners, a 1949 story written by Margaret Wise Brown. Scarry’s most popular Little Golden Book was Best Word Book Ever, published in 1963. He published more than 500 children’s books, most depicting animals who took on human characteristics.

In Here Comes the Parade, depicting the beloved Macy's Thanksgiving parade in downtown New York City, Scarry's illustrations are sketched in pencil, colored with gouache and outlined with pen and ink. This annual celebration ushers in the busy Christmas holiday season and Scarry includes a vast array of participants, including a policeman, vendors, performers, bands, spectators and of course the giant balloons. The balloon figures include well-known book characters from The Wizard of Oz, as well as more recent popular TV figures such as Howdy Doody and Mickey Mouse and his friends.

The book’s subject represents one of the basic concepts supported by the progressive education movement, which encouraged literature celebrating the “here and now”—everyday life experiences—and aimed to tell stories about real events.

Original artwork for the book, Nurse Nancy, written by Kathryn Jackson with illustrations by Corinne Malvern, and published by Simon & Schuster in New York, New York, in 1952.

Raised in New Jersey, Corinne Malvern (1901-1956) was a child actress who, along with her sister, performed in traveling plays, vaudeville and movies. After an accident in her teens, Malvern was forced to give up her acting career and later attended the Art Students League of New York. Proficient in watercolor, pastel, pencil and ink and paint, she launched a career as a commercial artist, and was known for her fashion illustrations and magazine covers. Shortly after, she teamed up with her sister, a children’s author, and began drawing children’s books, including seventeen for the Little Golden Book series, including Doctor Dan, Nurse Nancy, How Big?, Susie’s New Stove, and 5 Pennies to Spend.

Some of the most popular Little Golden Books were early experiments in product placement. In addition to teaching basic first aid tips, Dr. Dan and Nurse Nancy books included junior size Johnson and Johnson Band Aids.

Doctor Dan the Bandage Man and Nurse Nancy represent examples of innovative display and marketing techniques. Simon & Schuster paired with Johnson & Johnson to promote the latter’s brand-name “Band-Aids” and targeted one of its likeliest consumers, children. Boys and girls would sport Band-Aids in colorful shapes of stars, hearts, circles and flowers, from samples included in the pages of the book, all the while learning the basics of first aid.

Original artwork, of page 21, for the book Here Comes the Parade, written by Kathryn Jackson with illustrations by Richard Scarry, and published by Simon & Schuster in New York, New York, in 1951.

Better known for his animal characters and the Busytown series, Richard Scarry (1919-1994) was one of the most prolific authors and illustrators of 20th century children’s books. He attended the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston until he was drafted into the army during World War II. After the war, Scarry worked as a freelance artist and contracted with Simon & Schuster to work on the Little Golden Book series. His first illustrations appeared in Two Little Miners, a 1949 story written by Margaret Wise Brown. Scarry’s most popular Little Golden Book was Best Word Book Ever, published in 1963. He published more than 500 children’s books, most depicting animals who took on human characteristics.

In Here Comes the Parade, depicting the beloved Macy's Thanksgiving parade in downtown New York City, Scarry's illustrations are sketched in pencil, colored with gouache and outlined with pen and ink. This annual celebration ushers in the busy Christmas holiday season and Scarry includes a vast array of participants, including a policeman, vendors, performers, bands, spectators and of course the giant balloons. The balloon figures include well-known book characters from The Wizard of Oz, as well as more recent popular TV figures such as Howdy Doody and Mickey Mouse and his friends.

The book’s subject represents one of the basic concepts supported by the progressive education movement, which encouraged literature celebrating the “here and now”—everyday life experiences—and aimed to tell stories about real events.