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Alice Provensen

Born: 1918 in Chicago, Illinois
Pen Name: None

Connection to Illinois: Provensen was born in Chicago and attended the Art Institute of Chicago.

Biography: Alice Provensen was an American author-illustrator who teamed with her husband, Martin, to create children's books. There was a remarkable similarity to the couple's early histories. Both were born in Chicago, Illinois, and both moved to California when they were twelve. Both received scholarships to the Art Institute of Chicago, and both attended the University of California, though at separate campuses. After college, Alice went to work with Walter Lantz Studio, the creators of Woody Woodpecker, and Martin took work with the rival Walt Disney Studio, where he collaborated on Dumbo, Fantasia, and Pinocchio.The pair met in 1943 when Martin, working as a creator of training films for the American military, was assigned to the Walter Lantz Studio. They were married in 1944 and began illustrating children's books together. They shared work on all of the pictures, passing them back and forth until they were completely satisfied with the results. After they were married, they resettled in Washington, D.C., where they worked on war-related projects. Following the end of the war, they moved to New York City, where a friend assisted them in finding their first job, illustrating The Fireside Book of Folk Songs. In 1952, Tony the Tiger, designed by Martin, debuted as a Kellogg's mascot. Following that, they illustrated several Little Golden Books and wrote many books based on Maple Hill Farm, their home in New York State. Alice and Martin Provensen received the Caldecott Honor Medal for their illustration of ''A Visit to William Blake's Inn'', by Nancy Willard. They were further recognized just two years later, when they received the Caldecott Medal for ''A Glorious Flight''. The Provensens have been on the New York Times list of the Ten Best Illustrated Books eight times. In all, the couple wrote and illustrated more than 50 books.When Martin died in 1987, Alice thought about selling Maple Hill Farm, not certain if she would ever want to write or draw again. But her fondness for history drew her to back to writing ''The Buck Stops Here: The Presidents of the United States''. Its success and that of ''My Fellow Americans: A Family Album'' and ''Punch in New York'' revived her interest in writing, and she decided to stay at Maple Hill Farm. Alice enjoys traveling, and her love for exotic places came into play in her 2001 book, ''The Master Swordsman & The Magic Doorway: Two Legends from Ancient China.''


Awards:
  • '''''A Visit to William Blake's Inn'''''
  • -- Caldecott Honor Medal '''''A Glorious Flight'''''
  • -- Caldecott Medal

Primary Literary Genre(s): Fiction

Primary Audience(s): Children

Alice Provensen on WorldCat : http://www.worldcat.org/search?q=alice++provensen


Selected Titles

A visit to William Blake's inn :
ISBN: 0152938230 OCLC: 7573231

A collection of poems describing the curious menagerie of guests who arrive at William Blake's inn. Inspired by William Blake's Songs of Innocence and Songs of Experience, this delightful collection of poetry for children brings to life Blake's imaginary inn and its unusual guests.

My fellow Americans :
ISBN: 0152766421 OCLC: 32390908

Browndeer Press, San Diego : ©1995.

Tableaus and portraits of many of the individuals who have influenced American history, culture, and character.

Our animal friends at Maple Hill Farm /
ISBN: 0689844999 OCLC: 48526806

Describes animals on the authors' own farm in New York: dogs, horses, pigs, geese, chickens, cows, goats, sheep, cats, and more! Who lives at Maple Hill Farm? Two dogs, five horses, a pig, some geese, lots of chickens, a few cows, a few goats, several sheep, and four special cats -- these are the animals at Maple Hill Farm. With simple text that is both affectionate and wry, and irresistible illustrations that burst with personality, Alice and Martin Provensen bring their barnyard friends to life for the delight of animal lovers both young and old. Annotation. Who lives at Maple Hill Farm? Two dogs, five horses, a pig, some geese, lots of chickens, a few cows, a few goats, several sheep, and four special cats -- these are the animals at Maple Hill Farm. With simple text that is both affectionate and wry, and irresistible illustrations that burst with personality, Alice and Martin Provensen bring their barnyard friends to life for the delight of animal lovers both young and old.

  Our Animal Friends at Maple Hill Farm.
ISBN: 9781451764413 OCLC: 794037534

Paw Prints 2012.

Punch in New York /
ISBN: 0140540679 OCLC: 24707369

Tells Punch's adventures in New York City when he found to be in a suitcase that was stolen as his owner come through customs at Kennedy Airport.

The buck stops here :
ISBN: 0152016287 OCLC: 36188085

Browndeer Press, Harcourt Brace & Co., San Diego : ©1997.

Detailed pictures present both personal and political facts about the presidents of the United States and some historical events occurring during their terms.

The buck stops here :
ISBN: 9780147509468 OCLC: 19129930

Detailed pictures present both personal and political facts about the Presidents of the United States and some historical events occurring during their terms.

  The glorious flight
ISBN: 1430106727 OCLC: 319957014

Live Oak Media, Ancramdale, N.Y. : ©1987.

A biography of the man whose fascination with flying machines produced the Bleriot XI, which crossed the English Channel in thirty-seven minutes in the early 1900's. Uses non-animated illustrations.

The glorious flight :
ISBN: 0140507299 OCLC: 14588905

Puffin Books, New York, N.Y. : 1987, ©1983.

A biography of the man whose fascination with flying machines produced the Bleriot XI, which in 1909 became the first heavier-than-air machine to fly the English Channel.

The master swordsman & the magic doorway :
ISBN: 068983232X OCLC: 43542898

Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, New York : ©2001.

In two stories set in ancient China, Little Chiu masters the sword and Mu Chi escapes death through his marvelous painting.

  The Samurai swordsman :
ISBN: 0804849838 OCLC: 133465552

Tuttle Pub., North Clarendon, Vt. : ©2008.

Traces the history and legends of the Samurai from the eighth century to the nineteenth century, discussing their various roles, famous battles, and the growth of martial arts as well as legends surrounding the warriors.

The year at Maple Hill Farm /
ISBN: 0689845006 OCLC: 48526841

Aladdin Paperbacks, New York : 2001.

Describes the seasonal changes on a farm and surrounding countryside throughout the year. This is a book about farm animals, and what happens during one year on a farm. In January, the cows stay in the barnyard, and the chickens don't lay many eggs. By March, you can tell spring is coming: the barn is filled with baby animals. Month by month, the animals at Maple Hill Farm sense the changing seasons and respond to the changes. Through gently humorous text and charming illustrations, Alice and Martin Provensen capture one year at their beloved Maple Hill Farm in a way sure to delight city slickers and country folk alike.

 

 

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