Robert McCloskey was author of such famous children's books as Make Way for Ducklings, One Morning in Maine, and Time of Wonder, but little is known of his life. This memoir by his daughter Jane reveals the reclusive artist that few really knew, including his Midwestern upbringing, the pivotal event in Mexico that shaped his life, and the family's years on their island in Maine. Including never-before-seen artwork from the family archives. Ask almost any family that summers on the coast of Maine , who is the author that brings the coast of Maine into their lives, and they will say without hesitation "Robert McCloskey." Bob McCloskey was the author of eight children's books, the most famous of which (aside from Make Way for Ducklings which takes place in Boston's Public Garden) were Blueberries for Sal, One Morning in Maine and Time of Wonder, all set on the family's island on Penobscot Bay when his daughters were small. Not much happens in the books, Bob and the girls dig clams for chowder; Mom and Sal go blueberry picking and run into a mother bear and her cub doing exactly the same thing; a scary storm brushes by the island but everyone's OK. But look closely at these books and you will also see that there is a lot food related activity going on. Not just clamming, berry picking and traveling by boat to the general store for supplies, but cooking, picnicking, canning and just being in the kitchen. In fact, just about the only indoors that exists in these books is the kitchen. This may be because Peg, Bob's wife, was an excellent and adventurous cook, even on a remote island, but Bob also knew that the kitchen is the secure center of family life and particularly young family life--note the charming detail of toddler Jane spilling her milk for the cat, while the family dog looks on morosely. Jane McCloskey, Bob and Peg's younger daughter, has now published a book about their family life on the island in Maine and elsewhere, "Robert McCloskey: A Private Life in Words and Pictures." In it is fascinating context for Bob's books and many examples of Bob's art (for instance the paintings above) many of which have never been seen outside the family. --Northeast Flavor magazine The illustrated exerpt "One Summer in Maine: The Daughter of Acclaimed Childreen's Author Robert McCloskey Remembers a Special Trip to Her Father's Beloved Island " appears in the June 2011 issue. --DownEast magazine Robert McCloskey is one of the most beloved American children's authors of all time. His eight books, including Make Way for Ducklings, One Morning in Maine, Time of Wonder and Burt Dow Deep-Water Man are 20th century icons, winning two Caldecott Medals and two Caldecott Honors for Books. Yet little is known of Bob McCloskey's life. As his younger daughter Jane describes in this moving memoir of Bob and his family, he was a shy, quiet man, reluctant to talk about himself or his work. His art spoke or him. He and the family did indeed live on the Maine island that figures so largely in many of his books. But they also lived in New York State, in St. Thomas and among the ex-patriate artistic set in Taxco, Mexico, where his children watched him have a nervous breakdown the affected the rest of his life. Robert McCloskey: A Private Life in Words and Pictures has more than fifty examples of McCloskey's art that have rarely been seen outside the family and with nearly fifty more of his beloved drawings and paintings. Bob McCloskey really did write and paint what he knew: from his Midwestern childhood to island life in Maine. Jane McCloskey chronicles the loving, difficult but productive family relationships in a way that will add depth and meaning to his wonderful books. Media coverage will include book signings, radio and TV interviews, feature articles in DownEast magazine and Northeast Flavor magazine with more to come. Jane McCloskey has been many things, including house painter, Christmas wreath maker, environmentalist, and writer. She lives in a house she built herself on Deer Isle, Maine, near the island where she grew up. She is Robert McCloskey's younger daughter and appears in many of his books. Used Book in Good Condition