2024-08-22
Friedland explores the life and legacy of American children’s author Marguerite Henry (1902-1997) in this memoir and biography.
Since its publication in 1947, millions of readers around the world have enjoyed Henry’s children’s novelMisty of Chincoteague, illustrated by Wesley Dennis. It tells the tale of a spirited filly pony from a famous herd that lives on islands east of Virginia and was inspired by true events. Friedland, a horse enthusiast and former teacher, adored Henry’s books and was curious to know more about the author’s life. The result was a memoir for adults, which Friedland published in 2023 and then adapted into this simpler form for younger readers. She weaves together accounts of her own childhood desire to own a horse and her devotion to Henry’s books, a short biography of Henry herself, and the story of the real Misty’s fame. Juggling all these topics and themes can be a challenge, and the jumps between them can occasionally be jarring. This is unlikely to deter young readers, though, who will find plenty of compelling stories here. Friedland imparts basic facts from Henry’s childhood, education, marriage, and her early years as a journalist before she began writing about children and animals; it was a career that lasted more than 50 years and yielded 59 books, including the Newbery Medal-winningKing of the Wind(1948). Bite-sized sections cover topics such as Henry’s collaborations with illustrators, her research methods, and her approach to the writing craft. Friedland is at her best when conjuring the powerful rapport that Henry had with children, quoting many fan letters, all of which Henry answered. The narrative becomes an active, engaging journey as Friedland visits archives, interviews people who knew Henry, and eventually travels to see the famous wild pony swim between Assateague and Chincoteague Islands. In this final section, Friedland tells of finding kindred spirits and richly portrays the joy of the festivities.
An admirable and ambitious work that reveals the life of an icon of children’s literature.
