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Joan Winsor Blos

ジョアン・ウィンザー・ブロス

Joan Winsor Blos

Profile

Gender
Female
Born
1928-12-09 （New York City）
Died
2017-10-12 （Ann Arbor, Michigan） age 88
Nationality
United States
Languages
English
Residence History
New York City (birth) → Ann Arbor, Michigan

Career

Occupations
Writer, Educator, Children's literacy advocate
Active Years
1971-2017

Awards

National Book Award for Young People's Literature
1980
Work: A Gathering of Days
Category: 児童書（ハードカバー部門）
Organization: National Book Foundation
Result: winner
Newbery Medal
1980
Work: A Gathering of Days
Category: 児童文学
Organization: American Library Association
Result: winner

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

A Gathering of Days: A New England Girl's Journal, 1830–32

1979 Historical novel (epistolary/journal)

Set in 1830s New England, the novel presents a girl's journal documenting daily life, growth, and family events. Mixing fact and fiction, it evokes the period's customs and perspectives on education in a detailed, child-centered voice.

childhoodfamilydaily lifehistorical setting

Just Think

1971 Children's book

A children's book encouraging imagination and thinking, co-created with Betty Miles.

imaginationlearning

Martin's Hats

1984 Children's book

A picture-book style story about Martin and the hats connected to his everyday life.

growing updaily life

Brothers of the Heart: A Story of the Old Northwest, 1837–1838

1985 Historical children's novel

Set in the early 19th-century American Old Northwest, it follows young characters' friendships and adventures.

friendshipadventurehistory

Old Henry

1988 Children's story

A warm story about an older character (or animal), touching on family and memory.

familymemory

The Grandpa Days

1989 Children's book

Episodes depicting relationships and daily interactions between a grandfather and grandchild.

familyintergenerational relationships

Lottie's Circus

1989 Children's book

A children's story set in a circus, featuring adventure and wonder.

adventurewonder

The Heroine of the Titanic: A Tale Both True and Otherwise of the Life of Molly Brown

1991 Biographical children's book

A children's account of Molly Brown, Titanic survivor, blending fact and storytelling to present her life.

historical figurescourage

A Seed a Flower a Minute, an Hour

1992 Children's conceptual picture book

A gentle children's book conveying the passage of time and growth in nature.

naturetime

Brooklyn Doesn't Rhyme

1994 Children's literature

A children's work portraying the sense and rhythm of a neighborhood or city.

urban lifeeveryday

The Hungry Little Boy

1995 Children's picture book

A gentle, humorous picture book about food and a child's appetite.

foodgrowing up

Nellie Bly's Monkey: His Remarkable Story in His Own Words

1996 Children's biographical-style book

A unique perspective on anecdotes related to the real-life Nellie Bly, presented for children.

historycuriosity

One Very Best Valentine's Day

1997 Children's book

A story about children's special day and the exchange of gifts on Valentine's Day.

celebrationfriendship

Bedtime!

1998 Children's picture book

A short picture book about bedtime routines and a child's feelings before sleep.

bedtimeeveryday

Hello, Shoes!

1999 Children's picture book

A playful picture book themed around shoes, focusing on a child's observation of everyday life.

playeveryday life

Letters From the Corrugated Castle

2007 Children's literature

A collection of children's stories told through imagination and letters.

creativityletters

Bibliography

  • Just Think (1971) — with Betty Miles
  • A Gathering of Days: A New England Girl's Journal, 1830–32 (1979)
  • Martin's Hats (1984)
  • Brothers of the Heart: A Story of the Old Northwest, 1837–1838 (1985)
  • Old Henry (1988)
  • The Grandpa Days (1989)
  • Lottie's Circus (1989)
  • The Heroine of the Titanic: A Tale Both True and Otherwise of the Life of Molly Brown (1991)
  • A Seed a Flower a Minute, an Hour (1992)
  • Brooklyn Doesn't Rhyme (1994)
  • The Hungry Little Boy (1995)
  • Nellie Bly's Monkey: His Remarkable Story in His Own Words (1996)
  • One Very Best Valentine's Day (1997)
  • Bedtime! (1998)
  • Hello, Shoes! (1999)
  • Letters From the Corrugated Castle (2007)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
detailed historical realismepistolary/journal stylechild-centered narration
Recurring Motifs
childhood perspectivefamily relationshipsattention to daily detailshistorical settings

Legacy

Joan Blos is highly regarded for her historical detail and attention to daily life in children's literature; she won both the Newbery Medal and a National Book Award in 1980 for A Gathering of Days. She also worked as an educator and advocate for children's literacy.

Archives

  • Library of Congress holdings

Trivia

  • Her 1979 novel A Gathering of Days won both the 1980 National Book Award (Children's Books, hardcover) and the Newbery Medal.
  • She lived in Ann Arbor, Michigan, later in life and her obituary appeared in local media.