Reviewed by: Yesterday's Authors of Books for Children John Cech Commire, Anne , ed. Yesterday's Authors of Books for Children: Facts and Pictures About Authors and Illustrators of Books for Young People, from Early Times to 1960. Vols. I & II. Detroit: Gale Research, 1977, 1978. $25.00 per volume. This companion series to Something About the Author is not the most scholarly of research resources, but it makes available solid, basic information in an attractive way. Of the nearly fifty entries in each volume, many are of well-known authors and artists, such household names as Alcott, Burnett, Kipling, Milne, Potter, Stevenson. Others have long been neglected and are now, probably, the stuff dissertations are made of: Charles James Louis Gilson, William Heyliger, Louise Lamprey, and Elizabeth Turner are just a few of the latter. Often the book is like rummaging through an attic - all kinds of memories turn up, including interesting characters like Tony Sarg, who designed novelty books, puppets, and the world-famous balloons for Macy's Christmas parade. Each entry usually contains pictures of the artist or author; abundant illustrations of their works; and bibliographies of primary editions, criticism, and film and recording adaptations of their writings. The "facts" are generally substantial and helpful. But I think the bibliographies are not as readable as they should be because of the narrow, double-column format chosen here. Also, Ms. Commire should have exercised more care in her selection of "facts and pictures"; for instance, do we really need three photos of Susan Glaspell or movie posters for "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" and "The Body Snatcher"? Central to each entry is a biographical section which frequently draws on primary sources to offer a glimpse into the lives of the writers. Often these accounts of personal struggle are fascinating parts of the entries. At times, though, they are also sadly lacking in control and coherence. Remarks may be discursive and irrelevant (as in the case of Hans Christian Andersen commenting on the reception of one of his plays). Biography and autobiography are not always in sync at points when they should be: for instance, again in the Andersen entry, it's not mentioned that Odense was, in fact, illuminated in Andersen's honor before his death just as the gypsy had predicted. This missed connection overlooks the "fairytale" sense Andersen found important about his life. Besides, the "fact" is such a commonplace, it should never have been forgotten. Strangely, too, the biographical notes are categorized as "SIDELIGHTS" thus suggesting that these personal matters have only secondary significance. Further, I am not always satisfied with the quality of critical direction in a number of the entries. The Hawthorne section is a good example of how a fuzzy focus prevents us from seeing Hawthorne's intentions and hopes in the creation of the two books that are his chief contribution to children's literature, Tanglewood Tales and A Wonder Book. Indeed, there is no light shed on these at all while there are several columns spent on Hawthorne's friendship with the Brownings. Quite simply, Ms. Commire needs to guide and shape her materials and the efforts of her large staff with more of an awareness of her readers' concern with children's literature. Despite my reservations, these volumes are useful, and they would not be a mistake to acquire for your library. Ms. Commire's is an ambitious project and a necessary one. For there are lacunae in our knowledge about figures from the "yesterday" of children's literature which Ms. Commire is here beginning to fill. In this regard, her work is to be commended. [End Page 6] John Cech University of Florida Copyright © 1979 Children's Literature Association