Newbery Medal (John Newbery Medal)
1 appearances
-
Edition 10 (1931) Winner
Elizabeth Coatsworth
エリザベス・コーツワース
Elizabeth Coatsworth
Profile
- Gender
- Female
- Born
- 1893-05-31 （Buffalo, New York, United States）
- Died
- 1986-08-31 （Nobleboro (Chimney Farm), Maine, United States） age 93
- Nationality
- American
- Languages
- English
- Residence History
- Buffalo, New York (birthplace) → Hingham, Massachusetts (residence) → Nobleboro, Maine — Chimney Farm (residence, later life) → Spent summers on the Canadian shore of Lake Erie as a child
Career
- Occupations
- Writer, Poet
- Active Years
- 1910-1976
- Influenced By
- Louise Seaman Bechtel (children's book editor), Travels in East Asia and Buddhist experiences
- Influenced
- Kate Barnes (daughter, poet), Mid-20th-century children's writers
Education
| Institution | Faculty | Department | Degree | Period | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vassar College | — | — | — | — | United States |
| Columbia University | — | — | Master of Arts | — | United States |
Vassar College
Year of Graduation:
1915
Country:
United States
Graduated as salutatorian
Columbia University
Degree:
Master of Arts
Year of Graduation:
1916
Country:
United States
Received Master of Arts
Awards
| Year | Award | Work | Category | Organization | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1931 | Newbery Medal | The Cat Who Went to Heaven | — | American Library Association (ALSC) | Winner |
| 1968 | Hans Christian Andersen Award (International) | — | — | IBBY (International Board on Books for Young People) | Highly commended (runner-up) |
Newbery Medal
1931
Work:
The Cat Who Went to Heaven
Organization:
American Library Association (ALSC)
Result:
Winner
Hans Christian Andersen Award (International)
1968
Organization:
IBBY (International Board on Books for Young People)
Result:
Highly commended (runner-up)
Awards & Nominations
Works
Major Works
The Cat Who Went to Heaven
1930 Children's literature, Picture bookA story about an artist painting a picture of the Buddha and the cat that becomes central to the painting; explores compassion and art with Buddhist-influenced themes.
CompassionAnimals (cats)Buddhist elementsArt
Away Goes Sally
1934 Children's historical novelFirst of the 'Sally' series; a historical novel following the young girl Sally and her experiences/growth.
Coming of ageFamilyHistorical setting
The Enchanted
1951 Adult novel (fantastic tale)One of the works in the 'Incredible Tales' series focusing on nature and uncanny events among inhabitants of northern Maine's forests.
NatureFolk-fantasyBoundaries between humans and animals
Personal Geography: Almost an Autobiography
1976 Memoir / Autobiographical essaysA late-career autobiographical work recounting travels, life, and experiences as a writer.
ReminiscenceTravelWriting life
Bibliography
- Fox Footprints
- The Cat and the Captain
- The Cat Who Went to Heaven
- Away Goes Sally
- Five Bushel Farm
- The Enchanted
- Personal Geography: Almost an Autobiography
- The Incredible Tales (series)
Style & Themes
- Literary Style
- Concise, poetic proseRich natural descriptionSymbolic and allegorical approach in children's works
- Recurring Motifs
- Animals (especially cats)Nature and forestsTravel and cross-cultural experiencesSpiritual/religious elements (notably Buddhist motifs)
Legacy
Coatsworth had a long career across children's and adult literature; best known for The Cat Who Went to Heaven (Newbery Medal, 1931) and nature- and animal-focused works. Her papers are held in several university collections and she occupies an important place in Maine literary history.
Archives
- University of Minnesota, Kerlan Collection (Elizabeth Jane Coatsworth Papers)
- Bowdoin College archives
- University of Southern Mississippi, de Grummond Children's Literature Collection
- University of New England, Maine Women Writers Collection
Trivia
- Traveled as a child (to the Alps and Egypt at age five).
- Published over 90 books in a career spanning 1910–1976.
- Daughter Kate Barnes was named the first Poet Laureate of Maine.