About the Authors
The Rest of the Story
What started as a search for the author and illustrator of a book published five decades ago is now becoming a publishing event for a small community, their library, and an independent bookstore, as well as an opportunity to honor the work of two brilliant women who were, in many ways, fifty years ahead of their time.
Discovered last year under a pile of books in the B&H Publishing Group archive, My Go to Bed Book by Hildegarde Ford and Mary Win was originally published in 1956 and has been out of print for some twenty years—long enough that any corresponding files or records have all been lost in paperwork purges. But a bit of Internet sleuthing turned up a biography page in the back of another book, indicating that both the author and illustrator resided in Princeton, IL. (Or at least they did forty years ago.) Ford and Win collaborated on more than fifteen books for children, including Herbie, the story of a misfit boy, and Scrambola, the story of a three-legged dog, both of which routinely fetch $200-$300 apiece on collector’s Web sites. Carol Bird, director of the Matson Public Library in Princeton, was instrumental in locating Ford and Win, both in their nineties and living in their own homes in Princeton—a charming Midwest town, rich with Victorian era homes, a covered bridge, tree-lined brick streets, and awning covered storefronts along Main Street. A trip to Princeton, IL is like stepping back into 1956.
Ford was actually Velma Morrison, who had started Morrison Publishing Company in the 1950s because she could not find books she felt were suitable for children. She penned several books under her maiden name, Hildegarde Ford, and enlisted the help of locally renowned Princeton artist, Mary Win, to illustrate. Morrison was among the first to conceive of cloth books for children, striking a deal with Bemus Bag Company, known for their seed bags, to print her books on bag cloth. A true Renaissance woman, Mrs. Morrison held a degree in elementary education from Drake University with an emphasis in reading skills, taught school, and ran a dairy with her husband of over sixty years, Hugh Morrison. She studied genetics as a hobby and was one of the first to create and sell hybrid chicks and hybrid seed corn. She studied archeology and traveled the world after her husband retired. Together, they raised four children, had fifteen grandchildren, twenty-seven great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren at the time of Mrs. Morrison’s death, April 14, 2007, just two weeks shy of her 98th birthday. The Morrison family has directed memorials to the Matson Public Library. B&H donated a complete catalog of children’s books in honor of Mrs. Morrison, who was delighted with the plans to re-release her book.
Illustrator, Mary Win Walter Norris, lives in her 150-year old Victorian family home that is on the national historic register. The home, and her beautiful English gardens, are a popular stop for tourists and other visitors who frequent Princeton for the antiques and quaint shops. Mrs. Norris, 93, attended the University of Chicago and graduated from the University of Illinois. She studied art at the Art Students League in New York and at the Chicago Academy of Fine Art. She still paints occasionally in her studio where she has done hundreds, maybe thousands, of portraits and landscapes—the same studio where she painted the illustrations for My Go to Bed Book. A highly regarded member of the community, Mrs. Norris’ work hangs in many of the local buildings and businesses, from the hospital to the First Presbyterian Church. She taught art at the local high school for many years, and even taught the Morrison children, painting wedding portraits for both of the author’s daughters.
Princeton itself continues to prove a suitable home for the artistic and creative. Green River Books, for example—one of the many charming storefronts on Main Street—is hosting this summer its annual “Festival 9 3/4” to celebrate the release of the new Harry Potter book. They are expecting up to 12,000 people—pretty good for a town with a population of only 7,600. Three blocks of Main Street will close to traffic, being transformed into Diagon Alley, complete with costumes and decorations to usher in the release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, while the Matson Public Library on the town square becomes Hogwarts Academy. This festival coincides with another Princeton tradition, Beef & Ag Days, July 20-21.
Six weeks later, a 50th anniversary board book edition of My Go to Bed Book releases in September 2007, just in time for Princeton’s Homestead Festival, September 7-9. Discussions are underway for the illustrator to ride in the Homestead Festival Parade as the honorary grand marshal, as well as hosting a gallery exhibit of her work at the Prairie Arts Council on the town square and a book signing at Green River Books, who will be enthusiastically promoting and selling My Go to Bed Book and supporting the local author and illustrator.
That same weekend, Matson Public Library will be celebrating the grand opening of their new multi-million dollar facility in Princeton. B&H has proposed that the children’s wing or collection be named in honor of Velma Hildegarde Ford Morrison.