To Crockett Johnson

December 15, 1954

Dear Dave:

The typed up slightly revised copy of Harold and the Purple Crayon has just come. Many many thanks. I think it is FINE, and the little changes you made are just perfect. Thanks for the part about the forest, and for all the other little touches. I'm awfully sorry my first reaction to Harold was so luke warm and unenthusiastic. As I wrote you, I was tired in my head. I really think it is going to make a darling book, and I certainly was wrong at first. This is a funny job. The Harper children's books have had such a good fall, so many on so many lists, etc. etc., and I was feeling a little good-not satisfied, you understand, but I thought gosh I'm really catching on to things, I bet, and pretty soon it ought to get easier. And then I stubbed my toe on Harold and his damned purple crayon....

The contract is being drawn up-and I'm sorry the typing is taking so long.

Yours,

September 23, 1963

Dear Maurice:

We just rushed by messenger a pasted up Where the Wild to George Woods, so it can at least be considered for TEN BEST ILLUSTRATED. Of course the Holt Sendak will be included, and it seems dreadful for your Where the Wild Things Are not to be too.

Spencer Shaw is on the Newbery-Caldecott Committee. Just found out. Did he dote on you? But natch!

Maurice, before I sent the paste-up I went through it, rereading the words, and looking at the pictures again. It is MOST MAGNIFICENT, and we're so proud to have it on our list. When you were much younger, and had done only a couple of books, I remember I used to write you letters when the books were finished, and thank you for "another beautiful" job-or some such dopiness. Now you're rich and famous and need no words of wonder from me. But I must send them, anyhow, when I look through Where the Wild Things Are. I think it is utterly magnificent, and the words are beautiful and meaningful, and it does just what you wanted it to do. And you did just what you wanted to do.

I've felt sort of down in the dumps about picture books lately, (and about those who write and illustrate and buy and review them, too, to be frank!). But this bright beautiful Monday your beautiful book is exhilirating [sic], and it reminds me that I love creative people and love to publish books for creative children.

As for creative plate makers, more later.

Yours sincerely,

To E. B. White

April 2, 1952

Dear Andy:

The copy of American Spiders came and we sent it right down to Garth. We also sent him the New York Public Library slip on the McCook books. As you have probably heard from him, he loves Charlotte's Web as much as I do and is at work on the illustrations. You'll see some soon. The Advertising Department is preparing copy for Charlotte's Web and we will send it to you for your comments. There is no rush for jacket copy, of course, but there is for catalogue copy.

No, I have never encountered any story plot like Charlotte's Web. I do not believe that any other writer has ever told about a spider writing words in its web. Perhaps I should ask some of the children's book ladies who go back even further in time than I do, but I am sure nothing even remotely like this has been written. I believe Charlotte is the first spider since Miss Muffet's.

Yours sincerely,