Lois Lenski Papers

Collection — Multiple Containers

Identifier: MSS 87-14

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The collection consists of recordings, memorabilia, manuscripts, drawings, cards, writings, speeches, interviews, and correspondence of Lois Lenski, author and illustrator of children's literature. The collection is primarily in English, but there is a German translation of the manuscript for Judy's Journey, entitled, Judy's Wanderschaft.

Included in this collection are the complete typed manuscript of Strawberry Girl, a part of the handwritten manuscript along with the first typescript, background material, original drawings, galley proofs and scrapbooks of fan mail.

Also includes MSS 88-5 and MSS 92-2.

Dates

Created: 1939-1971
Other: Date acquired: 03/01/1992

Creator

Lenski, Lois (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open to all researchers.

Conditions Governing Use

Copyrights in works by Lois Lenski are held by the Lois Lenski Covey Foundation. Re-use or copying of these works beyond Fair Use may require permission from the rights-holder. For more information regarding permission for use, visit https://www.loislenskicovey.org/contact-us/

Biographical or Historical Information

Lois Lenski was born in Springfield, Ohio, in 1893, one of five children of a Lutheran minister. She graduated from Ohio State University where she studied art. Then she went to the Art Student's League in New York, later studying in England.

Lois Lenski married Arthur Covey, the mural painter who died in 1960. They had two sons.

Lois Lenski's first book, published in 1927, was Skipping Village. Ms. Lenski also illustrated her books and has illustrated for others. One of her projects was a collection of regional novels about children across the United States. The series includes her most famous work, Strawberry Girl, about a girl in Florida; Blue Ridge Billy, about a North Carolina youth living in rural Appalachia; Bayou Suzette, etc. She won the annual Newbery Medal for Strawberry Girl in 1946.

Extent

1117.00 items

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Method of Acquisition

Lenski herself donated quite a bit of the material to FSU. During the 1960s and early 1970s, Lenski visited the Library and corresponded with variosu Library staff until her death in 1974. MSS 92-2 was donated by Lois Lenski's son, Steven Covey in 1992.

Accruals and Additions

MSS 87-14 consists of Boxes 29-35, 228-231. MSS 88-5 consists of Boxes 232-238, Oversize 1-4. A folder in box 238 is MSS 92-2.

Related Materials

Lois Lenski Collection, Western History Collections, University of Oklahoma Libraries. https://libraries.ou.edu/locations/docs/westhist/pdf/LenskiLois.pdf

Lois Lenski Papers, de Grummond Collection, McCain Library & Archives, University of Southern Mississippi Libraries. http://www.lib.usm.edu/legacy/degrum/public_html/html/research/findaids/lenski.htm

Processing Information

Processed July 1987 (MSS 87-14), June 1988 (MSS 88-5) and May 1992 (MSS 92-2).

Subjects

Authors and publishers Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Authors, American Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Children's books Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Children's poetry Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Florida State University Libraries. Manuscripts Collections Subject Source: Local sources
Illustrators--United States. Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings