Brown, Marcia (1918–)

American artist and author of children's books. Born in Rochester, New York, on July 13, 1918; one of three daughters of Clarence Edward (a minister) and Adelaide Elizabeth (Zimber) Brown; studied at Woodstock School of Painting, summer, 1938; New York College for Teachers (now State University of New York at Albany), B.A., 1940; studied at New School for Social Research, Art Students League, and Columbia University; studied at Zhejiang Academy of Fine Arts, Hangzhou, China, 1985.

Selected works (all self-illustrated):

The Little Carousel (1946); Stone Soup: An Old Tale (1947); Henry-Fisherman: A Story of the Virgin Islands (1949); Dick Whittington and His Cat (1950); Skipper John's Cook (1951); The Flying Carpet (1956); Felice (1958); Peter Piper's Alphabet (1959); Tamarindo! (1960); Once a Mouse … (1961); Backbone of the King: The Story of Paka'a and His Son Ku (1966); The Neighbors (1967); How Hippo! (1969); The Bun: A Tale from Russia (1972); All Butterflies: An ABC (1974); The Blue Jackal (1977); Listen to a Shape (1979); Touch Will Tell (1979); Walk with Your Eyes (1979); Lotus Seeds: Children, Pictures and Books (1985).

Respected as both a storyteller and an illustrator, Marcia Brown grew up with a book in one hand and a pencil in the other. "My interest in making picture books," said Brown, "comes in an almost unbroken line from the constant reading and drawing of my childhood." Encouraged to take pleasure in the visual world, the young Brown also enjoyed music and visiting libraries, particularly the library in Cooperstown that had a small museum on the top floor. After completing college in 1940, she taught English and dramatics for several years before moving to New York City, where she finished her first four books while employed in the children's department of the New York Public Library. Brown would continue her art studies at intervals throughout her career. Between 1956 and 1962, she lived and painted for periods of time in Europe, and as late as 1985, at age 67, she studied at Zhejiang Academy of Fine Arts in Hangzhou, China.

Her first book, The Little Carousel, was inspired by Brown's neighborhood in the Italian district of Greenwich Village. "From my apartment window, I saw the little carousel arrive," she recalled, "and the episode that makes the plot of the story happened before my delighted eyes." Her second story, the much loved Stone Soup, was the first of her books to be chosen a runner-up for the Randolph Caldecott Medal given by the American Library Association. From 1950 to 1954, Brown produced five more books, four of which were Caldecott honor books and the fifth, The SteadfastTin Soldier, was a Caldecott Medal winner. Many of her subsequent books were also award winners, including Cinderella (Caldecott Medal), Once a Mouse … (Caldecott Medal, Lewis Carroll Shelf Award, and The New York Times Choice of Best Illustrated Children's Books of the Year), and Shadow (Caldecott Medal). In 1977, Brown was also awarded the Regina Medal from the Catholic Library Association for "continued distinguished contribution to children's literature."

As both an illustrator and writer, Marcia Brown was especially concerned with the unity between text and picture, believing that the visual aspect of the book was as important in the revelation of the story as the words: "Rhythm of speech is echoed in rhythm of line and color. Never must there be a mere recounting of the event." Brown's techniques were as varied as her stories and each new work represented a new approach. Ultimately her goal was to present part of her unique self to her young readers. "Those who work with children," Brown offered, "should be encouraged to hand on to them their personal involvement with the world. A child needs the stimulus of books that are focused

on individuality in personality and character if he is to find his own."

Barbara Morgan , Melrose, Massachusetts