Abstract/Summary

Publishing for children between 1930 – 1960 has been denigrated as a relatively fallow period for creativity and quality, certainly in comparison with the ‘golden ages’ of children’s literature that preceded and succeeded it. This thesis questions this perception by using archival evidence to argue that the work of what was predominantly a female group of editors, illustrators, authors and librarians (collectively referred to as bookwomen) resulted in many titles which are still considered as ‘classics’ today. The bookwomen reframed ideas about how children’s publishing should be approached and valued and, in doing so, laid the foundations for a subsequent generation of children’s authors and publishers who were to achieve far greater prominence. To support this argument, this thesis examines the activities of these women from different angles. The influence of the more advanced US model of dedicated children’s departments within publishing houses is significant, as are the ongoing relationships built between bookwomen across the world. The women constructed networks of influence in order to build their careers and further their ambition to increase the quality of children’s books on offer. By focussing on a selection of women working across all aspects of the book production process, from authorship to distribution, this new research demonstrates that, both individually and collectively, women capitalised on their position as ‘other’ to the existing male institutions. The key to the success of this generation of bookwomen was their willingness to experiment, the strength of their relationships, and their comprehensive understanding of the book production process. This thesis argues that the reason that their work is not better remembered or rewarded is due, ironically, to this success. As children’s publishing acquired a higher profile both commercially and culturally, the bookwomen’s power was diluted; the publishing process became less the remit of the talented all-rounder and moved to occupy a more mainstream position. The work of a generation of women was largely forgotten in the process.