Who?
Scholar of children’s literature and comics. Best-known for work on radical and anti-racist children’s literature, Crockett Johnson, and Dr. Seuss – especially Was the Cat in the Hat Black?
Crockett Johnson
Learn about the creator of Barnaby and Harold and the Purple Crayon via my (archived) Crockett Johnson Homepage and other writings.
Nine Kinds of Pie
Recent Posts
- Another World Is Possible
“another world is not only possible, she’s on her way.” — Arundhati Roy I offer this quotation to encourage you to sustain a sense of possibility, however contingent or uncertain. Because another world is possible. I cannot predict whether we will see that world, but it is nonetheless worth fighting for. Activists may not see - You are not alone: A note to my students after the 2024 US election
Dear students, I wish our class were meeting in person. Because then I would bring you donuts. And because I want to check in with you, see how you’re doing. How are you doing? Courtesy of Christie Launius, Associate Dean for Student Success, Engagement, and Undergraduate Studies, here are a couple of resources - Happy Birthday, Crockett Johnson… and Harold!
It is Crockett Johnson’s 118th birthday. It is also very nearly Harold’s 70th birthday. 70 years ago next month, Crockett Johnson sent a dummy of Harold and the Purple Crayon to Ursula Nordstrom, his editor at Harper & Brothers. 69 years ago, the book was published. Let’s celebrate! If you’re anywhere near Kansas City on