Miriam E. Mason Explained

Miriam Evangeline Mason (1900 – 1973) was an American writer best known for her books for children.

Biography

Mason was born on January 23, 1900, in Goshen, Indiana.^[1] Her parents, Benjamin Franklin Mason and Laura Gessaman Mason, were farmers with a family of seven.^[2] Mason was Lutheran.^{[3] [4]}

When she was a student, she lived in Martinsville, Indiana.^[5] She attended Martinsville High School, Indiana University, the University of Missouri, and Ball State University.^[6] She married M.M. Swain in 1924. They divorced. She had one daughter, Kathleen.

Mason taught for several years and also worked in advertising and publishing.

Her books were published under her maiden name of Miriam E. Mason.^[7] Six of her books received starred reviews from Kirkus Reviews: Matilda and Her Family;^[8] The Middle Sister;^[9] A Lion for Patsy;^[10] Caroline and Her Kettle Named Maud;^[11] A Small Farm for Andy;^[12] and Becky and Her Brave Cat, Bluegrass.^[13] In addition to her books for children, she wrote hundreds of articles, short stories, and plays.

She made appearances to speak to children and adults throughout her career as an author.^[14]

She died on February 20, 1973, in Batesville, Indiana, at her home.^{[15] [16] [17] [18]} She had lived in Batesville since the early 1940s.^[19]

Her papers are held at Indiana State University.^[20]

Selected works

Children's books

• The Little Story House. Illustrated by Elfreda Burns. Beckley-Cardy, 1935.^[21]
• Smiling Hill Farm. Illustrated by Kate Seredy. Junior Literary Guild and Ginn, 1937.
• O Happy Day! Illustrated by Mabel Woodbury. Frederick A. Stokes Company, 1939.
• Home is Fun. Photographs by J.C. Allen and son. Beckley-Cardy, 1939.
• Susannah, the Pioneer Cow. Illustrated by Maud and Miska Petersham. Macmillan, 1941.^[22]
• Matilda and Her Family. Illustrated by Meg Wohlberg. Macmillan, 1942.
• Timothy Has Ideas. Illustrated by Berta Hader and Elmer Hader. Macmillan, 1943.
• Little Jonathan. Illustrated by George and Doris Hauman. Macmillan, 1944.
• Happy Jack. Illustrated by George and Doris Hauman. Macmillan, 1945.^[23]
• The Middle Sister. Illustrated by Grace Paull. Macmillan, 1947.^[24]
• A Lion for Patsy. Illustrated by Vera Neville. McKay, 1947.^[25]
• Hoppity. Illustrated by Kurt Wiese. Macmillan, 1947.^[26]
• A Pony Called Lightning. Illustrated by Clarence William Anderson. Macmillan, 1948.
• A House for Ten. Illustrated by Kate Seredy. Ginn, 1949.
• This Is Our Valley. With Sister Marguerite McArdle. Illustrated by Charlotte Ware. Ginn, 1949.^[27]
• Herman, the Brave Pig. Illustrated by George and Doris Hauman. Macmillan, 1949.^[28]
• The Gray-Nosed Kitten. Illustrated by Marie C. Nichols. Houghton Mifflin, 1950.^{[29] [30]}
• Hominy and His Blunt-nosed Arrow. Illustrated by George and Doris Hauman. Macmillan, 1950.
• Three Ships Came Sailing in: a Story of John Smith's Jamestown. Illustrated by Charles V. John. Bobbs-Merrill, 1950.^[31]
• Caroline and Her Kettle Named Maud. Illustrated by Kathleen Voute. Macmillan, 1951. Later edition illustrated by Joseph Escourido.^[32]
• Young Mr. Meeker and His Exciting Journey to Oregon. Illustrated by Sandra James. Bobbs-Merrill, 1952.
• Yours with Love, Kate. Illustrated by Barbara Cooney. Houghton Mifflin, 1952.
• Broomtail, Brother of Lightning. Illustrated by Barbara Cooney. Houghton Mifflin, 1952.^[33]
• The Major and His Camels. Illustrated by Zhenya Gay. Macmillan, 1953.
• The Sugarbush Family. Illustrated by Zhenya Gay. Macmillan, 1954.^[34]
• Miss Posy Longlegs. Illustrated by Maud and Miska Petersham. Macmillan, 1955.^[35]
• Benjamin Lucky. Illustrated by Vee Guthrie. Macmillan, 1956.^[36]
• Freddy. Illustrated by Vee Guthrie. Macmillan, 1957.^{[37] [38]}
• Katie Kittenheart. Illustrated by Charles Geer. Macmillan, 1957.^[39]
• A Small Farm for Andy. Illustrated by Vee Guthrie. Macmillan, 1958.^[40]
• John Smith: Man of Adventure. Illustrated by Charles Freeman. Houghton Mifflin, 1958.^[41]
• Mr. Meadowlark. Illustrated by Marie C. Nichols. Hastings House, 1959.^{[42] [43] [44]}
• The Baby Jesus. Illustrated by Johannes Troyer. Macmillan, 1959.^[45]
• Becky and Her Brave Cat, Bluegrass. Illustrated by Robert MacLean. Macmillan, 1960.^[46]
• Miney and the Blessing. Illustrated by Dorothy Bayley Morse. Macmillan, 1961.^[47]
• Hoppity. [different edition] Illustrated by Cyndy Szekeres. Macmillan, 1962.
• Stevie and His Seven Orphans. Illustrated by John Gretzer. Houghton Mifflin, 1964.^[48]
• Scared Kitten. Illustrated by Adrina Zanazanian. Macmillan, 1967.^[49]
• Caroline and the Seven Little Words. Illustrated by Paul Frame. Macmillan, 1967.
• Sara and the Winter Gift. Illustrated by Paul Frame. Macmillan, 1968.^[50]

Childhood of Famous Americans series

• Dan Beard, Boy Scout. Illustrated by Paul Laune. Bobbs-Merrill, 1953.
• Daniel Boone: Wilderness Trailblazer. Illustrated by Harve Stein. Houghton Mifflin, 1961.
• Frances Willard, Girl Crusader. Illustrated by Leslie Goldstein. Bobbs-Merrill, 1961.^[51]
• John Audubon, Young Naturalist. Also published with the title Young Audubon, Boy Naturalist. Illustrated by Cathy Morrison. Bobbs-Merrill, 1943. Patria Press, 2006.^[52]
• Kate Douglas Wiggin, the Little Schoolteacher. Illustrated by Vance Locke. Bobbs-Merrill, 1958.
• Mark Twain, Boy of Old Missouri. Illustrated by Henry S. Gillette. Bobbs-Merrill, 1962.
• Mary Mapes Dodge, Jolly Girl. Illustrated by Sandra James. Bobbs-Merrill, 1962.^[53]
• William Penn, Friendly Boy. Illustrated by Lawrence Dresser. Bobbs-Merrill, 1962.

Magic Bridge Readers

• Crawford: And Other Stories Long and Short. Prentice-Hall, 1963.
• Little Bunny Little: And Other Stories You Can Read. Prentice-Hall, 1963.
• The Birthday Cake: And Other Stories to Enjoy. Prentice-Hall, 1963.
• The Pink Pig: And Other Stories For You. Prentice-Hall, 1964.

Other works

• The Third Little Stocking. 1931. [play]^{[54] [55]}
• The King Eternal; an Easter Service of Readings and Songs. Eldridge Entertainment House, 1932. [play]
• "Jonathan's Lucky Money." Illustrated by George and Doris Hauman. In A, B, C, Go! A Completely New Selection of Outstanding Children's Stories and Poems Compiled for Enrichment Reading by a Distinguished Editorial Board of Children's Librarians. [Edited by] Rosemary E. Livsey. Crowell-Collier, 1962. [poem]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Our Land, Our Literature: Literature - Miriam E. Mason . 2023-03-15 . digitalresearch.bsu.edu.
2. "Miriam Evangeline Mason." Gale Literature: Contemporary Authors, Gale, 2007. Gale Literature Resource Center. Accessed 15 Mar. 2023.
3. "Miriam E(vangeline) Mason (1900-)." Something About the Author, edited by Anne Commire, vol. 2, Gale, 1971, pp. 183-185. Gale Literature: Something About the Author. Accessed 15 Mar. 2023.
4. News: 1973-02-22 . Miriam M. Swain, Authoress, Former Resident, Dies . 14 . The Reporter-Times . 2023-03-15.
5. News: 1967-03-26 . Author Speaks . 65 . The Indianapolis Star . 2023-03-15.
6. News: 1973-02-22 . Hoosier Author Dies at Home in Goshen . 19 . The Terre Haute Tribune . 2023-03-15.
7. News: 1953-11-15 . Children's Author Will Speak Here Friday During Book Week . 8 . Palladium-Item . 2023-03-15.
8. Web site: Book Review: Matilda and Her Family . 2023-03-15 . Kirkus Reviews . en.
9. Web site: Book Review: Timothy Had Ideas . 2023-03-15 . Kirkus Reviews . en.
10. Web site: Book Review: A Lion for Patsy . 2023-03-15 . Kirkus Reviews . en.
11. Web site: Book Review: Caroline and Her Kettle Named Maud . 2023-03-15 . Kirkus Reviews . en.
12. Web site: Book Review: A Small Farm for Andy . 2023-03-15 . Kirkus Reviews . en.
13. Web site: Book Review: Becky and Her Brave Cat, Bluegrass . 2023-03-15 . Kirkus Reviews . en.
14. News: 1952-04-14 . Hoosier Author to Address A.C.E. . 4 . Journal and Courier . 2023-03-15.
15. News: 1973-02-21 . Miriam Mason Swain Obit . 5 . The Indianapolis News . 2023-03-15.
16. News: 1973-02-21 . More about Miriam Mason Swain . 4 . The Indianapolis News . 2023-03-15.
17. News: 1973-02-22 . Author of Children's Books -- Rites at Batesville for Mrs. Swain, 73 . 8 . Greensburg Daily News . 2023-03-15.
18. News: 1971-08-01 . Alpine House Setting for Children's Story . 20 . The Times-Mail . 2023-03-15.
19. Book: Struewing, S. Jean . The Batesville Area . 2009 . Arcadia Publishing . 978-0-7385-6132-5 . en.
20. Web site: Collection: Miriam E. Mason collection ArchivesSpace Public Interface . 2023-03-15 . archives.isl.lib.in.us.
21. Book: Catalog of Copyright Entries: Books . 1936 . Library of Congress, Copyright Office. . en.
22. Book: Mason, Miriam E. . Susannah, the Pioneer Cow; Illustrations by Maud and Miska Petersham . 1941 . Macmillan . en.
23. Book: Office, Library of Congress Copyright . Catalog of Copyright Entries. Third Series: 1972: July-December . 1974 . Copyright Office, Library of Congress . en.
24. Web site: Book Review: The Middle Sister . 2023-03-15 . Kirkus Reviews . en.
25. Book: The Publishers Weekly . July 1947 . F. Leypoldt . en.
26. Web site: Book Review: Hoppity . 2023-03-15 . Kirkus Reviews . en.
27. Web site: This is our valley WorldCat.org . 2023-03-15 . www.worldcat.org . en.
28. Web site: Book Review: Herman, The Brave Pig . 2023-03-15 . Kirkus Reviews . en.
29. Web site: Book Review: The Gray-Nosed Kitten . 2023-03-15 . Kirkus Reviews . en.
30. Book: Office, Library of Congress Copyright . Catalog of Copyright Entries. Third Series: 1950 . 1951 . Copyright Office, Library of Congress . en.
31. Book: Office, Library of Congress Copyright . Books and Pamphlets, Including Serials and Contributions to Periodicals . 1949 . U.S. Government Printing Office . en.
32. Book: Office, Library of Congress Copyright . Catalog of Copyright Entries, Third Series: Maps and atlases . 1965 . U.S. Library of Congress, Copyright Office . en.
33. Web site: Book Review: Broomtail . 2023-03-15 . Kirkus Reviews . en.
34. Web site: Book Review: The Sugarbush Family . 2023-03-15 . Kirkus Reviews . en.
35. Book: Office, Library of Congress Copyright . Catalog of Copyright Entries. Third Series: 1955: January-June . 1956 . Copyright Office, Library of Congress . en.
36. Book: Office, Library of Congress Copyright . Catalog of Copyright Entries. Third Series: 1956 . 1957 . Copyright Office, Library of Congress . en.
37. Web site: Book Review: Freddy . 2023-03-15 . Kirkus Reviews . en.
38. Book: Office, Library of Congress Copyright . Catalog of Copyright Entries. Third Series: 1957 . 1958 . Copyright Office, Library of Congress . en.
39. Web site: Book Review: Katie Kittenheart . 2023-03-15 . Kirkus Reviews . en.
40. Book: Kunitz . Stanley . Wilson Library Bulletin . Loizeaux . Marie Duvernoy . 1958 . H.W. Wilson Company . en.
41. Book: Office, Library of Congress Copyright . Catalog of Copyright Entries. Third Series: 1958: July-December . 1959 . Copyright Office, Library of Congress . en.
42. Book: Office, Library of Congress Copyright . Catalog of Copyright Entries. Third Series: 1959: January-June . 1960 . Copyright Office, Library of Congress . en.
43. Book: Franciscan Message . 1960 . Franciscan Fathers . en.
44. Book: Education . 1959 . New England Publishing Company . en.
45. Web site: Book Review: The Baby Jesus . 2023-03-15 . Kirkus Reviews . en.
46. Book: Appalachian Children's Literature: An Annotated Bibliography . 2010-04-13 . McFarland . 978-0-7864-6019-9 . en.
47. Web site: Book Review: Miney and the Blessing . 2023-03-15 . Kirkus Reviews . en.
48. Web site: Book Review: Stevie and His Seven Orphans . 2023-03-15 . Kirkus Reviews . en.
49. Book: Office, Library of Congress Copyright . Catalog of Copyright Entries. Third Series: 1967: July-December . 1971 . Copyright Office, Library of Congress . en.
50. Web site: Book Review: Sarah and the Winter Gift . 2023-03-15 . Kirkus Reviews . en.
51. Book: Mason, Miriam E. . Frances Willard . 1961 . en.
52. "John Audubon: Young Naturalist." Children's Bookwatch, vol. 16, no. 10, Oct. 2006. Gale Literature Resource Center. Accessed 15 Mar. 2023
53. News: Brown . Ralph Adam . 1949-07-17 . Varied Lives . en-US . The New York Times . 2023-03-16 . 0362-4331.
54. Book: The National Union Catalog, Pre-1956 Imprints: A Cumulative Author List Representing Library of Congress Printed Cards and Titles Reported by Other American Libraries . 1975 . Mansell . 978-0-7201-0460-8 . en.
55. Web site: Indiana authors and their books 1917-1966 . 2023-03-15 . webapp1.dlib.indiana.edu.