Eleanor Estes (1906–1988)
Author of The Hundred Dresses
About the Author
Eleanor Estes was born in West Haven, Connecticut on May 9, 1906. She graduated from the Pratt Institute Library School and worked as a children's librarian in branches of the New York Public Library system. Her first book, The Moffats, was published in 1941. Her other works include The Hundred show more Dresses and Ginger Pye, which won a John Newbery Medal for the most distinguished children's book in 1952. She also wrote a single adult novel entitled The Echoing Green. She died of complications following a stroke on July 15, 1988 at the age of 82. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
Image credit: Courtesy of the NYPL Digital Gallery (image use requires permission from the New York Public Library)
Series
Works by Eleanor Estes
The Sun and the Wind and Mr. Todd 4 copies
Ginger Pye & Pinky Pye 1 copy
Associated Works
Tagged
Common Knowledge
- Other names
- Rosenfield, Eleanor Ruth (birth)
- Birthdate
- 1906-05-09
- Date of death
- 1988-07-15
- Gender
- female
- Education
- Pratt Institute (Library School)
- Occupations
- librarian
children's book author - Organizations
- New York Public Library
- Relationships
- Estes, Rice (husband)
- Short biography
- Eleanor Rosenfield Estes was a children's librarian in New Haven, Connecticut. In 1931, she won the Caroline M. Hewins Scholarship, which allowed her to study at the Pratt Institute Library School in New York City. After graduation, she obtained a position with the New York Public Library. In 1932, she married fellow student Rice Estes, who later became a professor of library science. When illness kept her confined to bed, Eleanor Estes began writing. She wrote 19 children's books and one adult novel. Three of her books were chosen as Newbery Honor Books from 1954 to 1945. She won the Newbery Medal in 1952 for Ginger Pye. Her early books, particularly those about the Moffat family, published in the early 1940's, remain her most popular work. She based the Moffat books on her childhood: the town of Cranberry stands in for her hometown of West Haven, Janey represents Eleanor, and Rufus her little brother Teddy.
- Cause of death
- stroke
- Nationality
- USA
- Birthplace
- West Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Places of residence
- West Haven, Connecticut, USA
Hamden, Connecticut, USA
New York, New York, USA - Place of death
- Hamden, Connecticut, USA
- Burial location
- Oak Grove Cemetery, West Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Map Location
- Connecticut, USA
Members
Reviews
Ok, so the story's about kid-bullying and shaming poor children, and about being a kid and becoming aware of this behavior. I'm not sure I liked the message, though, because while Maddie seemed to learn something and grow up a little bit from it, it's not at all clear that Peggy did. And both girls just kind of side stepped ever actually apologizing or even talking about things directly and somehow in the end they just made it all ok in their minds because there was a note and Magda drew show more their portraits in the dresses -- which feels like the whole thing was about Maddie and Peggy and the important question was whether Magda liked them after all -- and that isn't really the sort of message I'd want to send on to kids. Somehow the peripheral nature of Magda never seems at all resolved to me, and I didn't love that. I like clearer plot lines, clearer messages for resolving damaging behavior or circumstances. show less
This sensitive story was written in 1944 and due to "human nature" things haven't changed one iota since then. It is the tale of one poor immigrant girl's way of coping with her poverty and the constant teasing she gets from other little girls at her school. The other girls are very materialistic and judge others by their clothing. It's not a pretty picture. The story is thoughtful and doesn't make the in-crowd clique of girls seem awful, only immature and insensitive. One of the girls even show more feels pretty bad about the teasing and harassing of the little Polish girl, but she doesn't come forward because she doesn't want to lose her own social standing. What I love about this book the most is that it is a wonderful opportunity for adults to talk with children about the insidious damage caused by teasing and singling others out. Let's face it most adults haven't really grown out of that way of behaving. Keep your ears open in a corporate lunch room some time. If we hope to make this a better world we need more books like this one and we need to actively teach our kids a better more loving way of being. We also need to help them stand up for their own gut-feelings of right and wrong instead of teaching them to go along with the status quo as we so often do by our own examples. The simple, straight-forward text and the beautiful, evocative yet simple illustrations make this story accessible and unforgettable. It can help you bring up an important topic and discuss it with your children. I recommend it for every parent and every teacher. show less
You've never met anyone quite like Rufus Moffat. He gets things done, but he gets them done his way.
When he wants to check out library books, Rufus teaches himself to write...even though he doesn't yet know how to read. When food is scarce, he plants some special "Rufus beans" that actually grow...despite his digging them up every day to check on them. And Rufus has friends that other people don't even know exist! He discovers the only invisible piano player in town, has his own personal show more flying horse for a day, and tours town with the Cardboard Boy, his dearest friend - and enemy.
Rufus isn't just the youngest Moffat, he's also the cleverest, the funniest, and the most unforgettable. show less
When he wants to check out library books, Rufus teaches himself to write...even though he doesn't yet know how to read. When food is scarce, he plants some special "Rufus beans" that actually grow...despite his digging them up every day to check on them. And Rufus has friends that other people don't even know exist! He discovers the only invisible piano player in town, has his own personal show more flying horse for a day, and tours town with the Cardboard Boy, his dearest friend - and enemy.
Rufus isn't just the youngest Moffat, he's also the cleverest, the funniest, and the most unforgettable. show less
Another delightful gem that I somehow missed when I was growing up. A small town family lives in a rented yellow house. Their life shifts when the house is put up for sale by their landlord. Each little adventure from a dancing dog to hiding in a bread box is incredibly sweet. I particularly loved the unplanned field trip of the little kindergarten who hopped on a local train.
Lists
Newbery Adjacent (8)
Ambleside Books (1)
Bullies (1)
For My Kids (1)
Awards
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Associated Authors
Statistics
- Works
- 30
- Also by
- 11
- Members
- 22,826
- Popularity
- #926
- Rating
- 4.0
- Reviews
- 282
- ISBNs
- 283
- Languages
- 8
- Favorited
- 10