Crockett Johnson Homepage: FAQ
Q: “Dear Crockett Johnson,…”
A: I am not Crockett Johnson. He died in 1975. The Crockett Johnson Homepage has no official affiliation with his estate or with his publishers. To learn about his life, you might read:
- my biography, Crockett Johnson and Ruth Krauss: How an Unlikely Couple Found Love, Dodged the FBI, and Transformed Children’s Literature (2012)
- the much briefer biography on this website
- a longer piece I wrote for Comic Art [link forthcoming]
Q: Can you put me in touch with Crockett Johnson’s estate?
A: Please contact the Ruth Krauss Foundation. They’re Google-able. But if you run into trouble, drop me a line and I can pass on your query.
Q: When will the fifth Barnaby book be published?
A: Fantagraphics expects to have it out in 2024. Until (and after!) then, do check out the first four volumes in the series. And, hey, while you’re at it, why not recommend them to your friends?
Q: Where can I find Harold’s theme song? Or: Is Simon the same as Harold?
A: The only music associated with Harold is included with the animated Harold films (1959, 1971, 1974), the musical (Theatreworks USA, 1990), and HBO’s Harold series (2001-2002). Unless HBO’s series has a theme song (I’ve never seen it), Harold has no theme song. People sometimes confuse Harold with a cartoon short about Simon which aired on Captain Kangaroo in the 1970s. Simon is not Harold, but Simon does have a theme: “Well you know my name is Simon, and the things I draw come true…”
Q: I’m looking for a gift. Or: I’m new to Crockett Johnson’s work. Do you have any recommendations?
A: Yes. I’ve compiled a page of my favorites, in the hopes that such a list might help to guide you.
Q: Where can I buy Crockett Johnson’s original artwork?
A: Sorry, but I have no idea. If anyone comes upon an answer to this question, I’m glad to add it here.
Q: Where can I buy stuffed Harold dolls or t-shirts, etc. featuring Johnson’s characters?
A: Sorry, but I don’t know. This isn’t a commercial site. I know I’ve seen t-shirts for sale somewhere. If there are officially licensed providers of such merch, let me know and I can add a link.
Q: I’m interested in obtaining copyright permission to reproduce Johnson’s work. Or: I’d like to obtain a licensing agreement to use Johnson’s characters in merchandise. Whom should I contact?
A: Please contact the Ruth Krauss Foundation. They’re Google-able. But if you run into trouble, drop me a line and I can pass on your query.
Q: How do you pronounce “Cushlamochree”? What does it mean?
A: Please see these notes on the word “Cushlamochree.”
Q: I’ve read your FAQ, and I still have a question.
A: Please drop me a line and I’ll do my best to answer. Don’t forget to include a subject line that clearly identifies it as relating to this website. If it does not, I may mistake it for spam.
All of Johnson’s text and artwork is © by the Ruth Krauss Foundation. The rest of these pages are © 1998-2022 by Philip Nel.
