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Kate Seredy

ケイト・セレディ

Keito Seredi

Profile

Gender
Female
Born
1899-11-10 （Budapest, Hungary）
Died
1975-03-07 （Middletown, New York, United States） age 75
Nationality
Hungary, United States
Languages
English
Residence History
Budapest (birthplace) → United States (emigrated 1922) → Listening Hill farm near Montgomery, New York

Career

Occupations
Children's writer, Illustrator, Artist, Bookseller (former)
Active Years
1922-1975
Influenced By
Hungarian legends and folktales told by her father, European folk traditions
Influenced
Writers and illustrators in American children's literature (specific names unknown)

Education

Budapest Academy of Fine Arts
Art / Art education (teaching diploma)
Degree: Diploma (art teaching)
Country: Hungary
Received a diploma to teach art

Awards

Newbery Medal
1938
Work: The White Stag
Organization: Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), American Library Association
Result: Winner
Newbery Honor
1935
Work: The Good Master
Organization: Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), American Library Association
Result: Honor
Newbery Honor
Work: The Singing Tree
Organization: Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), American Library Association
Result: Honor
Caldecott Honor (retroactive)
1971
Work: The Christmas Anna Angel (cover/illustrations)
Organization: Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), American Library Association
Result: Honor
Lewis Carroll Shelf Award
1959
Work: The White Stag
Organization: Unknown
Result: Recipient

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

The Good Master

1935 Children's literature

A children's novel set in the Hungarian countryside about young Kate who is sent to live with her uncle's family; draws on impressions of the author's childhood.

Coming of ageFamilyRural Hungarian life

Listening

1936 Children's literature / illustrated

A short work set in rural New Jersey, combining Seredy's illustrations with text.

Everyday lifeNature

The White Stag

1937 Children's historical/legend retelling

A retelling of legends about the Huns and the settling of Hungary, adapted for children and based on folktales told by her father.

LegendEthno-historyHeroic tales

The Singing Tree

1939 Children's literature / war and its effects

A sequel to The Good Master that depicts the effects of World War I on Kate and her family, showing the hardships and displacements caused by war.

Effects of warFamilyLoss and recovery

Lazy Tinka

1962 Children's literature

A later work dedicated to her long-time editor May Massee; an illustrated children's book.

FriendshipHome

Bibliography

  • The Good Master (1935)
  • Listening (1936)
  • The White Stag (1937)
  • The Singing Tree (1939)
  • A Tree for Peter (1941)
  • The Open Gate (1943)
  • The Chestry Oak (1948)
  • Gypsy (1951)
  • Philomena (1955)
  • The Tenement Tree (1959)
  • A Brand New Uncle (1961)
  • Lazy Tinka (1962)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Illustration-centered approachFolkloric and narrative retellingSimple, child-friendly prose
Recurring Motifs
Hungarian folklore and landscapesFamily and communityNature and animals

Legacy

A Hungarian-born children's author and illustrator who wrote mainly in English. She won the Newbery Medal and multiple honors, earning recognition in American children's literature though remaining relatively little known in Hungary. Her work is characterized by folkloric retellings and strong pictorial style. Her papers are held in the May Massee Collection (Emporia State University) and the University of Oregon Library.

Archives

  • May Massee Collection, Emporia State University
  • University of Oregon Library (Kate Seredy papers)

Quotes

  • I consider my books an excuse for making pictures.
    Source: Interview/memoir (source unspecified)

Trivia

  • English was not her first language, yet she wrote most of her books in English.
  • She owned a children's bookstore from 1933 to 1934, an experience she credited with helping her understand children.
  • 'The White Stag' won the Newbery Medal in 1938.
  • Her papers and illustrations are held in American university libraries.