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James Cross Giblin

ジェイムズ・クロス・ギブリン

James Cross Giblin

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1933-07-08 （Cleveland, Ohio, United States）
Died
2016-04-10 age 82
Nationality
United States
Languages
English
Residence History
Painesville, Ohio (raised) → Cleveland, Ohio (birthplace) → New York City, New York (professional)

Career

Occupations
Children's author, Editor
Active Years
1957-2016
Affiliations
Criterion Books (publisher), Lothrop, Lee & Shepard (publisher), Seabury Press (publisher), Clarion Books (founder/editor), Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (acquired Clarion)
Memberships
Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), American Library Association (ALA)

Education

Case Western Reserve University
Drama / Drama
Degree: 学士（演劇）
Period: 1951–1955
Year of Graduation: 1955
Country: United States
Columbia University
Graduate School (Playwriting) / Playwriting
Degree: 修士（劇作）
Period: 1955–1957
Year of Graduation: 1957
Country: United States

Awards

Robert F. Sibert Medal
2003
Work: The Life and Death of Adolf Hitler
Category: 児童向けノンフィクション
Organization: American Library Association (ALSC)
Result: 受賞
Golden Kite Award
Organization: Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI)
Result: 受賞
American Book Award
1982
Work: Chimney Sweeps: Yesterday and Today
Organization: American Book Awards
Result: 受賞

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Chimney Sweeps: Yesterday and Today

1982 Children's nonfiction; occupational history

Introduces the history, work, and living conditions of chimney sweeps across time for young readers.

labor historyoccupational changechildren's history

Walls: Defenses Throughout History

1984 History / military architecture

A children's survey of walls and defensive structures from ancient to modern times, illustrated and explained.

military historyarchitectural historydefensive structures

Milk: The Fight for Purity

1986 Social history / history of science (for children)

Explains the history of milk safety, the modernization of milk supply, and public health regulations for young readers.

public healthindustrializationscience and society

From Hand to Mouth: or, How We Invented Knives, Forks, Spoons, and Chopsticks, and the Table Manners to Go With Them

1987 Cultural history / history of daily life (for children)

Through the history of utensils and table manners, introduces cultural practices and inventions to young readers.

everyday cultural historycomparative culturestechnology and daily life

Let There Be Light: A Book About Windows

1988 Architectural history / science (for children)

Explains the history, structure, and function of windows for children, illustrating the relationship between architecture and daily life.

architecturelight and spacehistory of technology

Be Seated: A Book About Chairs

1993 Design history / everyday life (for children)

Introduces the evolution, design, and social meaning of chairs for young readers.

designhistory of furnitureobjects and society

When Plague Strikes: The Black Death, Smallpox, AIDS

1995 History / history of medicine (for children)

Carefully explains the history and societal impact of epidemics such as the Black Death, smallpox, and AIDS for young readers.

history of epidemicspublic healthsocial impact

Charles A. Lindbergh: A Human Hero

1997 Biography (for children)

A children's biography of aviator Charles A. Lindbergh, covering his achievements and life.

biographyhistory of aviationindividual achievement and impact

The Life and Death of Adolf Hitler

2002 Historical biography (children's nonfiction)

A children's account of Adolf Hitler's life and the consequences of his dictatorship, outlining historical background and ethical issues.

Nazism and dictatorshiphistorical responsibilityethical education

Good Brother, Bad Brother: The Story of Edwin Booth and John Wilkes Booth

2005 Biography / history (for children)

Explores the contrasting lives of actor Edwin Booth and his brother John Wilkes Booth, and the historical events surrounding them.

family contrastAmerican historyresponsibility and action

The Rise and Fall of Senator Joe McCarthy

2009 Political history / biography (for children)

Summarizes the rise and fall of Senator Joe McCarthy and the impact of his anti-communist campaign for young readers.

Cold War historypolitics and responsibilitypropaganda and power

Bibliography

  • Chimney Sweeps: Yesterday and Today
  • Walls: Defenses Throughout History
  • Milk: The Fight for Purity
  • From Hand to Mouth: or, How We Invented Knives, Forks, Spoons, and Chopsticks, and the Table Manners to Go With Them
  • Let There Be Light: A Book About Windows
  • Be Seated: A Book About Chairs
  • When Plague Strikes: The Black Death, Smallpox, AIDS
  • Charles A. Lindbergh: A Human Hero
  • The Life and Death of Adolf Hitler
  • Good Brother, Bad Brother: The Story of Edwin Booth and John Wilkes Booth
  • The Rise and Fall of Senator Joe McCarthy

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Clear expository prose aimed at young readers, translating complex history and social issues into accessible languageFact-based, chronological, and explanatory narration
Recurring Motifs
Condensing major historical events for educational purposesPresenting history through everyday objects and technologiesRaising ethical and social questions

Legacy

James Cross Giblin left a broad body of children's nonfiction and had significant influence as an editor—founding Clarion Books while at Seabury. He won the Sibert Medal for 'The Life and Death of Adolf Hitler' and his works are widely referenced in educational settings and libraries.

Academic Societies

  • Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI)
  • American Library Association (ALA)

In Popular Culture

  • His books are widely held in school libraries and used as reference materials in educational contexts.

Trivia

  • Founded the children's imprint Clarion Books while at Seabury Press.
  • Won the Robert F. Sibert Medal in 2003 for 'The Life and Death of Adolf Hitler.'
  • As an editor, he worked with authors such as Eileen Christelow and Mary Downing Hahn.