Summary Information
University of
Minnesota Libraries Children's Literature Research
Collections [clrc]
McDermott,
Gerald
Gerald McDermott
Papers
1973-1980
CLRC-909
Gerald McDermott's
papers focus on his work as an author of children's books. The collection
contains production material that includes typescripts, front matter, galley
proof, correspondence, reviews, and miscellaneous materials.
.8 linear
feet
See Detailed Descriptions for Each Title Item
for Box Locations
English
Important Information for Users of the Collections
Access and Use:
Collection is open for researchers with no restrictions. Registration
with the collection is required.
Copyright:
This collection is protected by the Copyright Law of the United
States (Title 17, U.S. Code). It is the user's responsibility to verify
copyright ownership and to obtain all necessary permissions prior to the
reproduction, publication, or other use of any portion of these materials.
Biographical
Sketch
Gerald McDermott was born January 31, 1941, in Detroit, Michigan. He
received a B.F.A. from the Pratt Institute of Design in 1964, and later worked
as a graphic designer and filmmaker. In 1972 he published his first retelling
of a folktale, Anansi the Spider: A Tale from the
Ashanti. The book retold a West African folktale about a spider that
must decide which of his six sons to reward after each saves his life. The book
received a Caldecott Honor Book citation in 1973. McDermott received the
Caldecott Medal in 1975 for another illustrated retelling of a folktale,
Arrow to the Sun. Critics praised both books and
McDermott's innovative style and blending of modern design techniques, vibrant
colors, primitive art traditions and straightforward narratives. His books were
also lauded for depicting complex and archetypal fold symbols of various world
cultures. He has continued to retell and illustrate folktales and myths from
around the world, and critics have continued to praise his stories as
entertaining and appealing to adult readers as well as to young audiences.
Biographical Source: Something About the
Author, vol. 74
Scope and Content
The collection contains production material for 2 published titles and
3 unpublished titles. The material includes corrected typescripts, front
matter, a corrected galley proof, a note, contracts, photographs,
correspondence, reviews, and miscellaneous material. It also contains an
audiocassette of a lecture given by McDermott at the Children's Literature
Collection in 1979.
Indexing Terms
The collection is indexed under the following headings in the catalog
of the University of Minnesota Libraries. Researchers desiring materials about
related topics, persons or places should search the catalog using these
headings.
McDermott,
Gerald
Accession Information:
Gerald McDermott gave part of this collection to the University of
Minnesota in 1974. Robert Kraus (publisher) gave additional materials in 1985.
Gift of:
McDermott, Gerald
Arrangement
Paul Bunyan,
Backwoods Boaster,
Soldier's Tale, The,
Voyage of Osiris, The: A Myth of Ancient Egypt, 1977
Arrow to the Sun, 1974
Miscellaneous materials,
Papa Bear,
Papagayo, the Mischief Maker, 1980
Collection Contents
Paul Bunyan, Backwoods Boaster
MF1301 folder 1
contract information
3 p.
Soldier's Tale, The
MF1366 folder 1
typescript
3 p.
MF1366 folder 1
correspondence
3 p.
MF1366 folder 1
fact sheet
1 p.
MC1366 folder 1
typescript, photocopy
3 p.
Voyage of Osiris, The: A Myth of Ancient Egypt
1977
MF1301 folder 1
typescript, story outline
3 p.
MF1301 folder 1
typescript, corrected photocopy, 5th draft
3 p.
MF1301 folder 2
black and white photograph and 1 negative
1 p.
MF1301 folder 2
contractual agreements
25 p.
MF1301 folder 3
correspondence
24 p.
MF1301 folder 3
reviews
58 p.
Arrow to the Sun
1974
MF1301 folder 1
correspondence
1 p.
MF1301 folder 1
review
1 p.
Miscellaneous materials
MF1301 folder 1
contract for A Greek Fable
7 p.
MF1301 folder 1
contract for A Babylonian Fable
7 p.
MF1301 ?
audiocassette of Frank K. Walter Lecture, Library
School, U of MN, presented by Gerald McDermott on November 19, 1979, at the
Children's Literature Research Collection.
1 p.
Papa Bear
MF1366 folder 1
typescript (from editor?)
1 p.
Papagayo, the Mischief Maker
1980
MF1301 folder 1
typescript, corrected photocopy
41 p.
MF1301 folder 1
correspondence
8 p.
MF1301 folder 2
correspondence and contract agreements
10 p.
MF1301 folder 2
biographical information
1 p.
MF1301 folder 2
note, and 1 copy of Anansi the Spider
1 p.
MF1301 folder 3
reviews
15 p.
MF1377 folder 1
typescript, corrected photocopy, with front matter and
correspondence
55 p.
MF1377 folder 2
notes
1 p.
MF1377 folder 2
galley proof, corrected
51 p.
MF1377 folder 2
black & white photographs of cover
2 p.
MF1377 folder 3
correspondence
27 p.
MF1377 folder 3
list of books sent
11 p.
MF1377 folder 3
reviews
2 p.
MF1377 folder 3
photocopy of royalty check
1 p.