75 Years of Little Golden Books: 1942-2017

GARTH WILLIAMS (1912–1996) was known for his realistic yet highly expressive animal characters. He brought to life some of the best-loved children’s books of the twentieth century, including Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House series and E. B. White’s Charlotte’s Web and Stuart Little. Williams illustrated many timeless Golden Books, including Baby Farm Animals, Mister Dog, and The Friendly Book.

Margaret Wise Brown (1910–1952), best known as the author of Goodnight Moon, wrote countless children’s books inspired by her belief that the very young are fascinated by the simple pleasures of the world around them. Among her many bestselling books are The Little Island, The Golden Egg Book, The Color Kittens, and The Sailor Dog.

TIBOR GERGELY (1900-1978) brought to life two of the most popular Little Golden Book characters, beloved by generations: Scuffy the Tugboat and Tootle. Born in Budapest, Hungary, he received his formal art schooling in Vienna at age 20. Gergely designed stage sets and marionettes and worked as an illustrator and cartoonist for central European newspapers. In 1939, Gergely immigrated to the United States, settling in New York. His long association with Golden Books began in 1942—the year of its launch—and continued as long as he lived. In 1955, Gergely received a Caldecott Honor for Wheel on the Chimney, written by Margaret Wise Brown, author of Goodnight Moon. He illustrated more than seventy Golden Books, including The Great Big Fire Engine Book, The Taxi That Hurried, Daddies, The Merry Shipwreck, Seven Little Postmen, The Happy Man and His Dump Truck, Animal Orchestra, and Animal Gym.

ELOISE WILKIN (1904–1987) illustrated dozens of classic Golden Books in her long career, including The Christmas Story, Wonders of Nature, Baby Listens, and We Help Mommy. Famous for her beautifully detailed paintings of the natural world and of cherubic children, she helped make Golden Books an icon. Her Golden Books Prayers for Children and My Little Golden Book About God have never been out of print.