Good Books for Bad Children: The Genius of Ursula Nordstrom. Written by Beth Kephart and illustrated by Chloe Bristol. Penguin Random House, 2023. $25.99 ages 8 and up

 

"Now it was up to Ursula to choose
what kinds of 
funny 
naughty
scary 
true
children's books 
she might publish. 

Up to her
to find writers and artists 
with the most terrific ideas."

We have another stellar person to learn about in this entertaining and informative picture book biography ... an acclaimed and powerful editor. I heard Ursula Nordstrom's name at the first children's literature conference I attended in the early 1980s. I had starting looking beyond the authors and publishers I recognized, and wanted to know more. 

As the child of divorced parents, Ursula was sent to boarding school where she proved to be a quiet, funny, and slow to make friends. When she left, dreaming about becoming a writer or social worker, she discovered attendance at college was beyond her means. She needed to find a job. 

Her career with Harper Books for Boys and Girls began in 1940, and her rise to becoming a senior editor of Ursula Nordstrom books in 1973 took time, talent and patience.  Mostly, it was Ursula's talent for discovering the perfect books, and the 'writers and artists with the most terrific ideas.' that brought remarkable success. She did that work with enthusiasm and distinction; she talked with those who shared 'good books for bad children' as she so often said; and she nutured those whose work she touted as worthy. 

She worked tirelessly to publish the books she loved, and had great rapport with the writers and artists  she took under her wing. She wanted the best from them, and pushed for their finest work. She demanded the same of herself, and was never afraid to admit she had made a mistake. She was a tireless and accomplished editor, offering sound advice about the books children needed to read. 

"books for children who feel sad
books for children who get mad
books for children who feel different
books for children who are lonely
books for children who have secrets"

What an impact she had on getting those books into the hands of children. An author's note adds further personal information, an archival photo of Ursula, and a list of sources used to bring this book to publication. In Ms. Bristol's digital artwork, readers will get a feel for the time and place when Ms. Nordstrom was working with so many memorable creators of wondrous and enduring books for children. 

"Ursula Nordstrom was a grown-up who never forgot what it was to be a child."