Sue Alexander Papers
Scope and Contents
The collection contains typescripts, correspondence, galleys, and reviews for two titles. The materials are arranged alphabetically by title. Within each title the materials are arranged in the probable order in which they were created. The correspondence was separated by title.
Marc imagines himself as a world-renowned magician, even before he has learned his first trick in Marc the Magnificent (1978). There are typescripts, correspondence, a press sheet, and reviews for this title. The other book in the collection is Peacocks Are Very Special. The inspiration for the book came when Ms. Alexander was looking through a cookbook and saw the recipe for minestrone. After seeing the effort it would take to make the soup, she decided to write a story about it instead. In the story, Peacock gets caught in a snare and outwits Jackal by giving him the recipe for minestrone. The book was supposed to be published in the fall of 1975, but because Victoria Chess, the illustrator, was living in Lebanon, there were delays with the illustrations and it was published a year later. There are typescripts, correspondence, a galley, and reviews for this title.
Dates
- Creation: 1976-1979
Conditions Governing Access
Noncirculating; available for research.
Conditions Governing Use
The collection is protected by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, U. S. Code). Reproductions can be made only if they are to be used for "private study, scholarship, or research." It is the user's responsibility to verify copyright ownership and to obtain all necessary permissions prior to the reproduction, publication, or other use of any portion of these materials.
Biographical / Historical
Sue Lynn Alexander was born on August 20, 1933 in Tucson, Arizona, but grew up in Chicago, Illinois. At age eight, she began telling stories to her classmates during recess, and by twelve she knew she wanted to become a writer. She attended Drake University in Iowa from 1950-1952, and Northwestern University from 1952-1953.
Ms. Alexander realized her dream and began writing for children in 1969. Her first book was published by Scholastic Inc., in 1973. The recipient of numerous awards for her work over the years, she was the author of over twenty children's books by the end of her career. In addition to books, she contributed short stories to Weekly Reader and Jack and Jill, and was a founding member of the Los Angeles-based Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI). From 1998 to 2007, she was also a contributor to the Los Angeles Times via the Kids' Reading Room Page.
Ms. Alexander passed away on July 3, 2008 at her home in West Hills, California (a suburb of Los Angeles). She was married to Joel Alexander, and they had three children. For more information, her website can be found at: www.sue-alexander.com .
Source:
Something About the Author, vol. 12, pp. 5- 7.
Los Angeles Times website (http://www.latimes.com/features/books/la-me-alexander14-2008jul14,0,6437614.story)
Author's website www.sue-alexander.com
Extent
.40 Cubic Feet (1 box)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Sue Alexander (1933-2008) knew she wanted to become a writer from a young age, and finally realized her dream in 1969. The recipient of numerous awards for her work over the years, she was the author of over twenty children's books by the end of her career. The collection contains typescripts, correspondence, galleys, and reviews for two of these titles.
Arrangement
This collection consists of one series within a single box.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Material was donated by Sue Alexander in 1993.
- Title
- Sue Alexander Papers
- Status
- In Progress
- Author
- Laura Stroud Colwell
- Date
- 1998-05-26
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- Language of description note
- English
- Sponsor
- This finding aid is the product of a grant funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Repository Details
Part of the de Grummond Childrens Literature Collection Repository
118 College Drive - 5148
Hattiesburg MS 39406-0001
601.266.4345
