Carol Kendall (1) (1917–2012)
Author of The Gammage Cup
For other authors named Carol Kendall, see the disambiguation page.
About the Author
Carol Kendall was born in Bucyrus, Ohio on September 13, 1917. She received an AB degree from Ohio University. Her first adult novel, The Black Seven, was published in 1946. She soon switched to writing children's books. Her first children's book, The Other Side of the Tunnel, was published in show more 1957. Her other works include The Big Splash, The Whisper of Glocken, Haunting Tales from Japan, and The Wedding of the Rat Family. She received several awards including a 1959 Newbery Honor for The Gammage Cup (published in England as The Minnipins) and the 1983 Mythopoeic Fantasy Award for The Firelings. She died on July 28, 2012 at the age of 94. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
Series
Works by Carol Kendall
Tagged
Common Knowledge
- Other names
- Siggy
- Birthdate
- 1917-09-13
- Date of death
- 2012-07-28
- Gender
- female
- Education
- Ohio University
- Occupations
- novelist
children's book author
translator
folklorist - Awards and honors
- Mythopoeic Fantasy Award (1983)
- Relationships
- Kendall, Paul Murray (husband)
Kendall, Gillian Murray (daughter) - Short biography
- Carol Kendall, née Seeger, was born in Bucyrus, Ohio, and graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Ohio University in 1939. That same year, she married Paul Murray Kendall, an English professor, historian, and a biographer with whom she had two daughters. Although some of her early published works, beginning with The Black Seven in 1946, were written for adults, she is best-known for her children's science fiction and fantasy novels. Her book The Gammage Cup (1960) was a Newbery Honor book and won the Ohioana award. It was adapted into an animated film for television. She also won the Parents Choice award and the Mythopoeic Society Aslan award for The Firelings (1981). After traveling in Asia, she became interested in folk tales and translated and retold, with co-author Yao-wen Li, two collections: Sweet and Sour: Tales of China and Cinnamon Moon.
- Nationality
- USA
- Places of residence
- Bucyrus, Ohio, USA
Kansas, USA - Place of death
- Lawrence, Kansas, USA
- Associated Place (for map)
- Kansas, USA
Members
Discussions
YA Fiction 5/6 Strangers on a Quest in Name that Book (March 2014)
Reviews
This is one of my favorite books from childhood. I'm sure that colors my perceptions but I still find it an absolutely wonderful story.
Set in the Land Between the Mountains, the Minnipins live in their twelve villages, each full inhabitants wearing their green cloaks, living in cottages with green doors, and doing their best not to stand out from the what a "proper" Minnipin should be. All except for five individuals in the town of Slipper-on-the-Water: Gummy, Walter the Earl, Curley Green, show more Mingy and Muggles (no, you Potter-heads, that's with a capital 'M'). These choose to be different from their fellow citizens, each for his or her own reason—some because they want to be different, some because they don't really care that they are different, and some out of protest because they feel that no one should be prevented from being different.
Driven from their village out of fear that they will ruin its chances of winning The Gammage Cup for the Best Village, the five discover that the age-old enemies of the Minnipins, the Mushrooms, have found a way into the valley and are planning an invasion. Of course, our five rise to the occasion, defeating the enemy and saving their village.
Kendall writes very well, showing you her world instead of telling you about it, and the story draws the reader along irresistibly, full of puns and playful games with everyday words. The characters in the story are beautifully written, each fully fleshed out and well-rounded; the reader cannot help but fall in love with them. There is a clear message in this story of protest against intolerance and conformity for its own sake. The adult reader might find it a trifle heavy-handed (given that it was written at the end of the McCarthy hysteria, it should not be surprising), but younger readers will likely take it in stride. Some readers find an allegorical relationship between the invaders and Cold War Soviets, and are disturbed by the matter-of-fact complete destruction of the former. Personally, I find this a stretch and think that, sometimes, a Mushroom invader is just a Mushroom invader.
For me, the real strength of this book, beyond the writing, is the timing of the message. It's targeted at an age where children are starting to struggle between the desire to become individuals and fears of standing out. I might not put this book (and its sequel, The Whisper of Glocken) in the absolute top rank of young fantasy—the top four or five books of the genre—but it pushes hard up against them.
I've seen the cover art on the current edition and it's absolutely horrendous; don't let it dissuade you. show less
Set in the Land Between the Mountains, the Minnipins live in their twelve villages, each full inhabitants wearing their green cloaks, living in cottages with green doors, and doing their best not to stand out from the what a "proper" Minnipin should be. All except for five individuals in the town of Slipper-on-the-Water: Gummy, Walter the Earl, Curley Green, show more Mingy and Muggles (no, you Potter-heads, that's with a capital 'M'). These choose to be different from their fellow citizens, each for his or her own reason—some because they want to be different, some because they don't really care that they are different, and some out of protest because they feel that no one should be prevented from being different.
Driven from their village out of fear that they will ruin its chances of winning The Gammage Cup for the Best Village, the five discover that the age-old enemies of the Minnipins, the Mushrooms, have found a way into the valley and are planning an invasion. Of course, our five rise to the occasion, defeating the enemy and saving their village.
Kendall writes very well, showing you her world instead of telling you about it, and the story draws the reader along irresistibly, full of puns and playful games with everyday words. The characters in the story are beautifully written, each fully fleshed out and well-rounded; the reader cannot help but fall in love with them. There is a clear message in this story of protest against intolerance and conformity for its own sake. The adult reader might find it a trifle heavy-handed (given that it was written at the end of the McCarthy hysteria, it should not be surprising), but younger readers will likely take it in stride. Some readers find an allegorical relationship between the invaders and Cold War Soviets, and are disturbed by the matter-of-fact complete destruction of the former. Personally, I find this a stretch and think that, sometimes, a Mushroom invader is just a Mushroom invader.
For me, the real strength of this book, beyond the writing, is the timing of the message. It's targeted at an age where children are starting to struggle between the desire to become individuals and fears of standing out. I might not put this book (and its sequel, The Whisper of Glocken) in the absolute top rank of young fantasy—the top four or five books of the genre—but it pushes hard up against them.
I've seen the cover art on the current edition and it's absolutely horrendous; don't let it dissuade you. show less
Certainly an original fantasy. I feel that the lessons of conformity come through much stronger than the adventure against the mushroom people, and that the missing stories of the other villages (and for that matter the other villagers in this one) would be more interesting than magic swords. Young me would definitely have agreed. 'We' also wonder if it's true that the mushroom people had to be slaughtered... this is a rather gory story in parts.
I hope somebody is reading it and is up to show more discussing it. I might have to reread it, given the fondness many GR members feel for it, as I feel I must be missing something. show less
I hope somebody is reading it and is up to show more discussing it. I might have to reread it, given the fondness many GR members feel for it, as I feel I must be missing something. show less
The Minnipins have lost their past.
Long ago, the hero Gammage led them in war against the horrible Hairless Ones. But now -
Bravery? Forgotten. Courage? No more. Heroes? The stuff of storybooks.
Yet sometimes heroes turn up when they are least expected.
Muggles, Gummy the poet, and Walter the Earl are not like the other Minnipins. They dress differently, speak their minds, and - when Walter the Earl finds a package of old scrolls and swords - dare to disagree with the Minnipin leaders. For show more their troubles, they are banished from their village.
But Walter the Earl found the weapons for a reason: The Hairless Ones have returned. And this time there is no Gammage to protect the Minnipins. This time there are only Muggles and her friends, outlaws who must rescue the very people who have cast them out. show less
Long ago, the hero Gammage led them in war against the horrible Hairless Ones. But now -
Bravery? Forgotten. Courage? No more. Heroes? The stuff of storybooks.
Yet sometimes heroes turn up when they are least expected.
Muggles, Gummy the poet, and Walter the Earl are not like the other Minnipins. They dress differently, speak their minds, and - when Walter the Earl finds a package of old scrolls and swords - dare to disagree with the Minnipin leaders. For show more their troubles, they are banished from their village.
But Walter the Earl found the weapons for a reason: The Hairless Ones have returned. And this time there is no Gammage to protect the Minnipins. This time there are only Muggles and her friends, outlaws who must rescue the very people who have cast them out. show less
The Premise:
Muggles is content to lead a peaceful life, dwelling alone in her cozy cottage with her candymaking job and her neatly organized heaps of clutter.
But one day, her cheerful, quiet existence is interrupted by a strange and unsettling sight in the middle of the night. She's half-convinced it was all a dream.
But the next day--after an unexpected chance-meeting and other unusual occurrences--Muggles is gradually but inescapably drawn into the center of a series of events, conflicts, show more and adventures that will turn her little village upside down.
And with these things comes the threat of a mysterious and terrible danger that could destroy Muggles's whole world. . . .
My Thoughts:
I'm so glad I decided to reread this childhood favorite for the first time in several years. The Gammage Cup did not disappoint--it's every bit as wonderful and well-written as I remembered. Iremains a glowing, magical, and unique tale that will satisfy anyone who loves a good children's fantasy story. I enjoyed it just as much as I did when I was younger--even now that I'm an adult and a writer with more critical taste than I had back then.
Muggles and each of her friends are endearing, brave, and totally unique. Each of several unusual and totally unlikely heroes finds an essential part to play as they're caught up in an adventure, and each of them shows great and often unexpected courage. I love each of the main characters so dearly. And their story is magical, delightful, and exciting.
The Gammage Cup is such a bright, warm, joyful book--especially because the warmth and cheer comes through hardship, danger, and relational strife. I love that the main characters choose to determinedly and optimistically forge ahead despite adversity.
This book is so well-written. The writing style itself is at once sophisticated, accessible, and homey. Muggles and her narration have a keen and perceptive way of seeing the world and describing it in a perfect, precise, unique and down-to-earth way. The characterization is masterful--each character is vivid, lifelike, and unique--ranging from sweet to prickly, from ordinary to pompous, and from conniving to courageous. The themes and morals are penetrating, subtle, and full of truth and wisdom--and never heavy-handed or preachy. The plot is skillful and engaging, with riveting suspense and danger that build to an intense climax. The characters and humor are entertaining and often amusing.
These things are seamlessly woven together into a charming, delightful, unique, and imaginative tale. The Gammage Cup is an exciting fantasy adventure full of immense heart and sweetness, with plenty of swords, battles, danger, and daring thrown in.
I adored this book as a child, and I'm no less captivated by it as an adult. It's one of those books that is written for children, but can be enjoyed equally by a whole family or individuals of any age. it's a classic for a reason, and I highly recommend it for anyone who enjoys wholesome and entertaining children's fantasy. show less
Muggles is content to lead a peaceful life, dwelling alone in her cozy cottage with her candymaking job and her neatly organized heaps of clutter.
But one day, her cheerful, quiet existence is interrupted by a strange and unsettling sight in the middle of the night. She's half-convinced it was all a dream.
But the next day--after an unexpected chance-meeting and other unusual occurrences--Muggles is gradually but inescapably drawn into the center of a series of events, conflicts, show more and adventures that will turn her little village upside down.
And with these things comes the threat of a mysterious and terrible danger that could destroy Muggles's whole world. . . .
My Thoughts:
I'm so glad I decided to reread this childhood favorite for the first time in several years. The Gammage Cup did not disappoint--it's every bit as wonderful and well-written as I remembered. Iremains a glowing, magical, and unique tale that will satisfy anyone who loves a good children's fantasy story. I enjoyed it just as much as I did when I was younger--even now that I'm an adult and a writer with more critical taste than I had back then.
Muggles and each of her friends are endearing, brave, and totally unique. Each of several unusual and totally unlikely heroes finds an essential part to play as they're caught up in an adventure, and each of them shows great and often unexpected courage. I love each of the main characters so dearly. And their story is magical, delightful, and exciting.
The Gammage Cup is such a bright, warm, joyful book--especially because the warmth and cheer comes through hardship, danger, and relational strife. I love that the main characters choose to determinedly and optimistically forge ahead despite adversity.
This book is so well-written. The writing style itself is at once sophisticated, accessible, and homey. Muggles and her narration have a keen and perceptive way of seeing the world and describing it in a perfect, precise, unique and down-to-earth way. The characterization is masterful--each character is vivid, lifelike, and unique--ranging from sweet to prickly, from ordinary to pompous, and from conniving to courageous. The themes and morals are penetrating, subtle, and full of truth and wisdom--and never heavy-handed or preachy. The plot is skillful and engaging, with riveting suspense and danger that build to an intense climax. The characters and humor are entertaining and often amusing.
These things are seamlessly woven together into a charming, delightful, unique, and imaginative tale. The Gammage Cup is an exciting fantasy adventure full of immense heart and sweetness, with plenty of swords, battles, danger, and daring thrown in.
I adored this book as a child, and I'm no less captivated by it as an adult. It's one of those books that is written for children, but can be enjoyed equally by a whole family or individuals of any age. it's a classic for a reason, and I highly recommend it for anyone who enjoys wholesome and entertaining children's fantasy. show less
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- Rating
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