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Mabel Leigh Hunt

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Mabel Leigh Hunt

Profile

Gender
Female
Born
1892-11-01 （Coatesville, Indiana, United States）
Died
1971-09-03 （Indianapolis, Indiana, United States） age 78
Nationality
American
Languages
English
Religion
Quaker
Residence History
Greencastle, Indiana → Plainfield, Indiana → Indianapolis, Indiana

Career

Occupations
Children's writer, Librarian
Active Years
1926-1971

Education

DePauw University
Period: 1910-1912
Country: United States
Attended; degree completion uncertain
Western Reserve University Library School (Cleveland)
Library Science
Period: 1923-1924
Year of Graduation: 1924
Country: United States
Completed coursework in library science

Awards

Newbery Honor
1943
Work: Have You Seen Tom Thumb?
Category: 児童文学
Organization: American Library Association (Association for Library Service to Children)
Result: Newbery Honor
Newbery Honor
1951
Work: Better Known as Johnny Appleseed
Category: 児童文学
Organization: American Library Association (Association for Library Service to Children)
Result: Newbery Honor

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Lucinda, A Little Girl of 1860

1934 Children's historical fiction

A coming-of-age story of a girl named Lucinda set in 1860. One of Hunt's early works.

Coming of ageHistory

Have You Seen Tom Thumb?

1942 Children's literature

A story centered on the small figure Tom Thumb. Received a Newbery Honor in 1943.

IndividualityLocal folklore

Better Known as Johnny Appleseed

1950 Children's biographical literature

A child-friendly biographical account of Johnny Appleseed's life. Received a Newbery Honor in 1951.

BiographyAmerican frontier history

The 69th Grandchild

1951 Children's literature

A children's story focusing on family and tradition.

FamilyTradition

Bibliography

  • Lucinda, A Little Girl of 1860 (1934)
  • The Boy Who Had No Birthday (1935)
  • Little Girl with Seven Names (1936)
  • Susan, Beware! (1937)
  • Benjie's Hat (1938)
  • Little Grey Gown (1939)
  • Michel's Island (1940)
  • Billy Button's Butter'd Biscuit (1941)
  • John of Pudding Lane (1941)
  • Corn-Belt Billy (1942)
  • Have You Seen Tom Thumb? (1942)
  • Peter Piper's Pickled Peppers (1942)
  • The Peddler's Clock (1943)
  • Young Man of the House (1944)
  • Sibby Botherbox (1945)
  • The Double Birthday Present (1947)
  • Such a Kind World (1947)
  • Matilda's Buttons (1948)
  • Better Known as Johnny Appleseed (1950)
  • The 69th Grandchild (1951)
  • Ladycake Farm (1952)
  • Singing Among Strangers (1954)
  • Miss Jellytot's Visit (1955)
  • Stars for Cristy (1956)
  • Cristy at Skippinghills (1958)
  • Tomorrow Will Be Bright (1958)
  • Cupola House (1961)
  • Johnny-Up and Johnny-Down (1962)
  • Beggar's Daughter (1963)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Clear, accessible prose for childrenNarration that integrates historical settings
Recurring Motifs
Quaker beliefs and valuesRural Indiana settingsFamily and tradition

Legacy

Mabel Leigh Hunt is known for children's books set in Indiana; two Newbery Honors established her as a notable figure in American children's literature. Her experience as a librarian informed her work.

Archives

  • Mabel Leigh Hunt Papers - The University of Southern Mississippi (Special Collections)
  • Mabel Leigh Hunt Papers - Children's Literature Research Collections, University of Minnesota

Quotes

  • My favorite occupations are reading, cooking, friends, and travel.
    Source: Biographical sources

Trivia

  • Recorded as just over five feet tall.
  • Raised in a Quaker household.
  • Received Newbery Honors for Have You Seen Tom Thumb? and Better Known as Johnny Appleseed.