Lois Lenski (1893–1974)
Author of Indian Captive: The Story of Mary Jemison
About the Author
Lois Lenski was born in Springfield, Ohio on October 14, 1893. After graduating from Ohio State University, she moved to New York to study art. She continued her studies in London, England and illustrate children's books written by others. She returned to the United States in 1921 and became an show more author and illustrator. In 1927, she published two books about her own childhood entitled Skipping Village and A Little Girl of 1900. She wrote nearly 100 books for children and young adults during her lifetime including the Mr. Small series, Bayou Suzette, Prairie School, Boomtown Boy, Judy's Journey, and High-Rise Secret. She received a Newbery Medal in 1946 for Strawberry Girl. She died on September 11, 1974 at the age of 80. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
Series
Works by Lois Lenski
Lois Lenski's Mother Goose 2 copies
Alphabet People 2 copies
When I grow up 2 copies
Flood at River Bend 2 copies
I Like Snow 1 copy
Small - More Mr. Small 1 copy
Small - Papa Small 1 copy
Small - The Little Family 1 copy
Read-to Me Storybook 1 copy
Small - Cowboy Small 1 copy
Davy: Animals for Me 1 copy
Small - The Little Train 1 copy
Davy: A Dog Came to School 1 copy
Up to six 1 copy
Davy and Dog 1 copy
The Washington picture-book 1 copy
カウボーイのスモールさん―スモールさんの絵本… 1 copy
Living with Others 1 copy
Florida, My Florida 1 copy
Associated Works
Beat the Drum, Independence Day Has Come: Poems for the Fourth of July (1977) — Contributor — 27 copies, 1 review
Newbery Awards Library A Wrinkle in Time, The Twenty-One Balloons, Strawberry Girl, Thimble Summer, & Roller Skates (1978) 14 copies
A Hat-Tub Tale; or, On the Shores of the Bay of Fundy (1928) — Illustrator, some editions — 5 copies
Tagged
Common Knowledge
- Canonical name
- Lenski, Lois
- Legal name
- Covey, Lois Lenore Lenski
- Birthdate
- 1893-10-14
- Date of death
- 1974-09-11
- Gender
- female
- Nationality
- USA
- Birthplace
- Springfield, Ohio, USA
- Place of death
- Tarpon Springs, Florida, USA
- Places of residence
- Springfield, Ohio, USA
Anna, Ohio, USA
Harwinton, Connecticut, USA
Tarpon Springs, Florida, USA - Education
- Ohio State University (BS | 1915)
Art Students League of New York
School of Industrial Art
Westminster School of Art - Occupations
- children's book author
children's book illustrator
painter
poet - Relationships
- Lenski, R.C.H. (father)
Covey, Arthur (husband) - Organizations
- Lois Lenski Covey Foundation
- Awards and honors
- Regina Medal (1969)
Newbery Honor (1936, 1941)
Newbery Medal (1946)
Children's Book Award (1947) - Short biography
- Lois Lenski was one of five children born to a Prussian immigrant father and a teacher mother in Ohio. She grew up in a rural community west of Springfield, and many of her fondest childhood memories were of life in this small town, according to her autobiograph. Lois was skilled at drawing, often copying pictures from books and magazines.
She attended Ohio State University, intending to become a teacher. After graduation, at the urging of her art professors, she moved to New York City to study at the Art Students League.
She took courses and supported herself with jobs such as lettering and painting greeting cards and drawing for fashion ads. In 1920, she traveled to London and Italy to study and work.
In 1921, shortly after returning from her travels, Lenski married Arthur Covey, an artist. She spent much of her early career as an illustrator of children's books, and then began to write her own stories to accompany her drawings. She published her first book, Skipping Village, in 1927. Lenski won the Newbery Honor for several of her books and the Newbery Medal in 1946. She was a prolific author who produced many regional series of books as well as character-based series.
Members
Reviews
The Little Sailboat by Lois Lenski
We follow along as Captain Small takes his sailboat out and fishes, and comes home just in time to miss the rain. A sweet book that simply describes the steps in the process.
Of all the "Indian Captive" novel, such as "Mocassin Trail" and "The Light in the Forest", I found this to be the most thoroughly researched and most respectfully written. Originally published in 1941, it is based on the true-life story of Mary "Molly Jemison", who was captured and adopted by the Genesee in the 1750s. When given the opportunity to return to the white community, Molly chose to stay with her native family. At the age of 80, "she told her memories of her experiences in detail to James Everett Seaver, M.D. and the book was first published at Canandagua, NY in 1824." (p. xi)
My edition, published in 1995, includes an introduction by Arthur C. Parker, Director of the Rochester Museum of Arts. He explains that "not only did Miss Lenski make a study of the literature (regarding Molly's life), but visited the Indians, many of whom are descendants of the subject of her book. The book includes hand drawn sketches ,done by the author, all based on her studies "in the various museums containing Iroquois and especially Seneca objects" (p.viii).
As Seaver explains, many writers have ignored the necessity of having accurate knowledge of how the native people lived, and instead have "written purely from imagination, filling gaps with pre-conceived knowledge or basing it upon modern adaptions of European practices". (p. vii).
The result is a sensitive story which explores the divide between the two worlds at the time of the French and Indian War. Molly first feels extreme despair when separated from her family, only to learn to care fore the kind and loyal native family to whom she now belongs.
For teachers, this would be a good supplement on a unit about Native Americans. The author not only included sketches of artifacts used by the natives, but explains their uses, as Molly is taught skills for living as a productive member of the tribe, but also the traditions and beliefs of the native people. The author also shows the way that contact with Europeans began to change life for the natives, in both good and bad ways.… (more)
My edition, published in 1995, includes an introduction by Arthur C. Parker, Director of the Rochester Museum of Arts. He explains that "not only did Miss Lenski make a study of the literature (regarding Molly's life), but visited the Indians, many of whom are descendants of the subject of her book. The book includes hand drawn sketches ,done by the author, all based on her studies "in the various museums containing Iroquois and especially Seneca objects" (p.viii).
As Seaver explains, many writers have ignored the necessity of having accurate knowledge of how the native people lived, and instead have "written purely from imagination, filling gaps with pre-conceived knowledge or basing it upon modern adaptions of European practices". (p. vii).
The result is a sensitive story which explores the divide between the two worlds at the time of the French and Indian War. Molly first feels extreme despair when separated from her family, only to learn to care fore the kind and loyal native family to whom she now belongs.
For teachers, this would be a good supplement on a unit about Native Americans. The author not only included sketches of artifacts used by the natives, but explains their uses, as Molly is taught skills for living as a productive member of the tribe, but also the traditions and beliefs of the native people. The author also shows the way that contact with Europeans began to change life for the natives, in both good and bad ways.… (more)
Ten-year-old Birdie Boyer can hardly wait to start picking the strawberries. Her family has just moved to the Florida backwoods, and they haven't even begun their planting. Making the new farm prosper won't be easy--what with the heat, the droughts, the cold snaps and the neighbors.
Twelve-year-old Mary Jemison took her peaceful days on her family's farm in eastern Pennsylvania for granted. But on a spring day in 1758, something happened that changed her life forever. A band of warriors invaded the house and took the Jemison family captive. Mary was separated from her parents and brothers and sister. She traveled with the Indians to southern Ohio and later to a Seneca village on the Genesee River in what is now western New York.
Mary's new life was not easy. She missed her family terribly, and she was unaccustomed to Seneca ways. Several times she even tried to run away. But the Indians were kind to her and taught her many things about the earth, its plants, and its creatures. She became a sister to animals and to all growing things. Then Mary was finally given the chance to return to the world of white men. But she had also become a sister to the Indians. How could she leave them?
Based on a true story, here is the unforgettable tale of the legendary "White Woman of the Genesee."… (more)
Mary's new life was not easy. She missed her family terribly, and she was unaccustomed to Seneca ways. Several times she even tried to run away. But the Indians were kind to her and taught her many things about the earth, its plants, and its creatures. She became a sister to animals and to all growing things. Then Mary was finally given the chance to return to the world of white men. But she had also become a sister to the Indians. How could she leave them?
Based on a true story, here is the unforgettable tale of the legendary "White Woman of the Genesee."… (more)
Lists
Elevenses (1)
1970s (1)
Newbery Adjacent (14)
al.vick-series (1)
Awards
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Statistics
- Works
- 130
- Also by
- 24
- Members
- 13,674
- Popularity
- #1,697
- Rating
- 3.9
- Reviews
- 195
- ISBNs
- 272
- Languages
- 5
- Favorited
- 10