Rosemary Wells
Encyclopedia
Rosemary Wells is the author of a number of popular children's books, most notably the Max and Ruby
series which follows the everyday adventures of sibling bunnies—curious three year old Max and bossy seven year old Ruby. She gets the inspiration for Max and Ruby from her three daughters and the experiences they have with friends and school. Her West Highland Terriers Lucy and Snowy have also worked their way into her books, as McDuff and insight for other characters. She has also written Noisy Nora
, Yoko, Voyage to the Bunny Planet series, a Christmas Book called Morris's Disappearing Bag and a collected book of illustrations of Rodgers and Hammerstein
songs. In April 2007, her children's book The Gulps featuring illustrations by Marc Brown
was released. Also that year she published Red Moon at Sharpsburg, a historical novel featuring a young girl in the American Civil War. 2008 brings Otto Runs For President, followed by Yoko Writes Her Name, scheduled to be published in July.
Wells grew up in Red Bank, New Jersey
. She is the daughter of Helen Bamberger.
—a West Highland Terrier—take on a more realistic role as the adopted pet of a young couple.
are expressive, but do not have much shading and are simpler inked-in drawings. In comparison, Yoko and the later Max and Ruby
books are full of color and detail, with fully realized backgrounds and landscapes.
Read an interview with the author here: http://www.devstu.org/blogs/interview-with-rosemary-wells
Max and Ruby
Max and Ruby is a Canadian animated series that debuted in 2002 that is aimed at a preschool audience. Created by children's book author/illustrator Rosemary Wells and based on the world of her Max and Ruby books, the episodes present stories about Max, a rambunctious and determined three-year-old...
series which follows the everyday adventures of sibling bunnies—curious three year old Max and bossy seven year old Ruby. She gets the inspiration for Max and Ruby from her three daughters and the experiences they have with friends and school. Her West Highland Terriers Lucy and Snowy have also worked their way into her books, as McDuff and insight for other characters. She has also written Noisy Nora
Noisy Nora
o brien!Noisy Nora is a children's book written by Rosemary Wells. This mouse later appeared in the Timothy Goes to School series.-Background and publication:...
, Yoko, Voyage to the Bunny Planet series, a Christmas Book called Morris's Disappearing Bag and a collected book of illustrations of Rodgers and Hammerstein
Rodgers and Hammerstein
Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II were a well-known American songwriting duo, usually referred to as Rodgers and Hammerstein. They created a string of popular Broadway musicals in the 1940s and 1950s during what is considered the golden age of the medium...
songs. In April 2007, her children's book The Gulps featuring illustrations by Marc Brown
Marc Brown (author)
Marc Tolon Brown is an American writer of children's books. He writes as well as illustrates his Arthur books, and is best known for that series and its spin-offs. He currently lives in Hingham, Massachusetts. The names of his two sons, Tolon Adam and Tucker Eliot, have been hidden in all of the...
was released. Also that year she published Red Moon at Sharpsburg, a historical novel featuring a young girl in the American Civil War. 2008 brings Otto Runs For President, followed by Yoko Writes Her Name, scheduled to be published in July.
Wells grew up in Red Bank, New Jersey
Red Bank, New Jersey
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 11,844 people, 5,201 households, and 2,501 families residing in the borough. The population density was 6,639.1 people per square mile . There were 5,450 housing units at an average density of 3,055.0 per square mile...
. She is the daughter of Helen Bamberger.
Writing Style
A common theme in Rosemary Wells' stories is the use of animal characters rather than humans. In the children's journal Stone Soup, Wells has stated that she writes using animals because it allows her to address sophisticated, controversial topics in a way children can understand and adults can accept. For example, Yoko tackles the thorny topics of racism. It is about a young Japanese kitten who is ostracized when she brings sushi in her school lunch. At the book's conclusion, she gains acceptance by hosting a school luncheon where everyone brings food native to their family. Many of the animal characters—such as those in Max and Ruby—interact with one another much as humans would, while others such as McDuffMcDuff
McDuff is a surname. It is the Anglicized form of the Gaelic name Mac Dhuibh .People named McDuff:*David McDuff, Scottish literary translator*Dusa McDuff, English mathematician...
—a West Highland Terrier—take on a more realistic role as the adopted pet of a young couple.
Illustrative Style
Like her writing, Wells' illustrations have grown more complex and sophisticated over the years. Her early works like Noisy NoraNoisy Nora
o brien!Noisy Nora is a children's book written by Rosemary Wells. This mouse later appeared in the Timothy Goes to School series.-Background and publication:...
are expressive, but do not have much shading and are simpler inked-in drawings. In comparison, Yoko and the later Max and Ruby
Max and Ruby
Max and Ruby is a Canadian animated series that debuted in 2002 that is aimed at a preschool audience. Created by children's book author/illustrator Rosemary Wells and based on the world of her Max and Ruby books, the episodes present stories about Max, a rambunctious and determined three-year-old...
books are full of color and detail, with fully realized backgrounds and landscapes.
External links
- http://www.rosemarywells.com
Read an interview with the author here: http://www.devstu.org/blogs/interview-with-rosemary-wells