Wendy Watson was a third generation author and artist. Her grandparents, Ernest W. Watson and Eva Auld Watson, were painters and pioneer color block printers. Ernest was also founder and editor of the magazine American Artist, co-founder of Watson-Guptill Publications, and co-founder of one of the first summer art schools, the Berkshire Summer School of Art. Wendy’s father, Aldren A. Watson, is an author, and also the illustrator of more than 175 books, including many children’s books written by Wendy’s mother, Nancy Dingman Watson.
Wendy received her primary education and early art training from her parents. She later studied painting and drawing with Jerry Farnsworth, Helen Sawyer, and Daniel Greene, and received a BA in Latin Literature from Bryn Mawr College.
Wendy was the author-illustrator of twenty-one books for children, and the illustrator of over sixty books for other authors. Her books have received many awards and honors, including: The National Book Award, nominee; The Koret Jewish Book Award; The Sydney Taylor Honor Book Award; Best Books of the Year, The New York Times; Best Books of the Year, American Library Association; Best Books of the Year, School Library Journal; Best Books of the Year, Publishers Weekly; Kirkus Reviews Editor’s Choice; Notable Children’s Books, American Library Association; Outstanding Science Trade Books for Children, National Science Teachers Association/Children’s Book Council; Pick of the Lists, American Bookseller’s Association; and Notable Children’s Books in the Field of Social Studies, Children’s Book Council.
Wendy’s artwork was exhibited widely, and included in numerous national and international shows, including: “The Biennial of Illustration,” Bratislava, Yugoslavia; “The Original Art,” The Society of Illustrators, New York; and “The Annual Exhibition of American Illustration,” The Society of Illustrators, New York. She was one of 106 artists represented in the exhibition and book “Myth, Magic, and Mystery: One Hundred Years of American Children’s Book Illustration.” Wendy’s work is part of numerous private and institutional collections.
Wendy was also a member of the Author’s Guild, the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, and The Society of Illustrators. She lived in Phoenix, Arizona, and Cape Cod, Massachusetts. She passed away in February 2018 and will be held dear in the hearts of many friends and relatives.
Here are Wendy Watson’s published works:
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Bedtime Bunnies It’s always somebody’s bedtime, somewhere in the world. In this book it’s bedtime for five little rabbits. They come in from outdoors, have a snack, brush their teeth, take a bath, put on nightclothes, and listen to a story before being tucked in for the night. Outside, we see snowflakes falling. In the bunnies’ home, all is warmth and coziness and playfulness and love. Four words per spread narrate the evening routine, and delightfully soft and spirited illustrations take readers into the bunnies’ world. Young children who have this book as a bedtime companion are lucky indeed, especially if their own getting-ready-for-bed rituals are as familiar and tender as those of the five bunnies. |
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Spuds Ma’s been working so hard, she doesn’t have much left over. So her three kids decide to do some work on their own. In the dark of night, they steal into their rich neighbor’s potato fields in hopes of collecting the strays that have been left to rot. They dig flat-bellied in the dirt, hiding from passing cars, and drag a sack of spuds through the frost back home. But in the light, the sad truth is revealed: their bag is full of stones! Ma is upset when she sees what they’ve done, and makes them set things right. But in a surprise twist, they learned they have helped the farmer…. |
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The Cats in Krasinski Square In luminous free verse, Hesse’s latest picture book tells a powerful story of a young Jewish girl who, together with her older sister, ingeniously fights the Nazi occupation of Warsaw. After escaping from the Jewish ghetto, the girl avoids detection.… She finds joy in playing with the city’s abandoned cats, who show her holes in the ghetto wall, which the girl’s older sister and their resistance friends will use to pass supplies shipped by train to Warsaw. The Gestapo learns of the scheme, and soldiers wait at the train station with dogs. Luckily, the cats inspire a solution; they distract the dogs and protect the supplies. It’s an empowering story about the bravery and impact of young people, and Hesse’s clear, spare poetry, from the girl’s viewpoint, refers to the hardships suffered without didacticism. In bold, black lines and washes of smoky gray and ochre, Watson’s arresting images echo the pared-down language as well as the hope that shines like the glints of sunlight on Krasinski Square. An author’s note references the true events and heartbreaking history that inspired this stirring, expertly crafted story. |
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Father Fox’s Christmas Rhymes A cozy collection of holiday verse. Who is that knocking at the door? Over thirty years ago, Father Fox’s Pennyrhymes became an instant classic and was a National Book Award Finalist. Now Father Fox returns with new rhymes especially for yuletide that conjure up the excitement and mystery of the season: playing in the snow, making hot apple cider, hiding presents — all at the warm and loving home of the Fox family. The verses feel like classic children’s rhymes, and rich paintings capture all the cheer and beauty of Christmastime. |
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Rabbit Moon Consider Rabbit snowmen in February! Can you imagine Rabbit pipers in March?! An engaging collection of poems for preschoolers and early readers, this unique almanac celebrates the holidays and good times enjoyed by young Rabbits and children alike. From Rabbit Leaders Day to Rabbit Thanksgiving, from Rabbit fireworks in July to Rabbit trick-or-treat in October, all the special days of the year are here. And, as Big-Rabbit-in-the-Moon looks on, all are enjoyed. Adding to the fun are playful illustrations (rendered in acrylics and India ink) of Rabbits here, Rabbits there, Rabbits everywhere! |
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Holly’s Christmas Eve On Christmas Eve, Holly is ready to join the other ornaments in celebration. But disaster strikes when naughty Bad Cat bats the tree’s branches: Holly loses her wooden arm! Cloth Bear and Tin Horse rush to help her find it, meeting danger and becoming good friends along the way. Wendy Watson’s paintings glow with excitement as the trio hurries to get home safely before Santa arrives. This heartwarming story, filled with adventure, is perfect for reading aloud by the light of your own tree at Christmastime. |
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Is My Friend at Home?: Pueblo Fireside Tales Here are seven interconnected stories about making and keeping friends, jewel-like tales originally told to the youngest listeners at Native American firesides in the Hopi country of northern Arizona. In John Bierhorst’s authentic re-creation of a Pueblo storytelling session, readers and listeners will find out how Coyote got his short ears, why Mouse walks softly, and how Bee learned to fly. Snake, Mole, Badger, Beetle, and Dove also have roles clever and foolish, friendly and not so friendly, and all are depicted with humor and finesse by illustrator Wendy Watson. |
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Love’s a Sweet Animals of every sort quarrel and kiss, laugh and lullaby their way through the pleasures and pitfalls of everyday love in this new collection of short rhymes written and illustrated by sisters Clyde and Wendy Watson. Each of Clyde’s “pennyrhymes” is illustrated with funny, often tender scenes featuring Wendy’s fuzzy farm animals. Love’s A Sweet is the perfect book for children to share with moms, dads, brothers, sisters, and especially with grandma and grandpa! |
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Du Store Verden (orig. Norwegian ed.) No synopsis yet. |
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Fox Went Out on a Chilly Night An illustrated version of the folk song in which a fox travels many miles to get dinner for his wife and ten cubs. |
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The Big Book for Our Planet More than forty acclaimed children’s book authors and illustrators join together to create an anthology — whose proceeds will benefit environmental organizations — of stories, poems, essays, and pictures that celebrate Earth and call attention to environmental destruction. |
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Happy Easter Day! A family prepares for a traditional American Easter by making hot cross buns, getting new clothes, and decorating eggs. On the holiday, they hunt for baskets, go to church, have dinner, and play games. Songs and poems are interspersed throughout the text. |
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Boo! It’s Halloween A family gets ready for Halloween by preparing costumes, making goodies for the school party, and carving jack‑o’-lanterns. Halloween jokes and rhymes are interspersed throughout the text. |
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Hurray for the Fourth of July In a small Vermont town a family celebrates the Fourth of July by attending a parade, having a picnic, and watching fireworks. |
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Thanksgiving at Our House A spirited collection of traditional rhymes woven into an original story. |
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A Valentine for You A lively collection of traditional Valentine rhymes celebrates the fun a family can have preparing for the holiday. |
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The Night Before Christmas The familiar verse about a visit from Saint Nick is depicted in a late-twentieth-century small town setting, which brings to life the traditional American celebration of a beloved holiday. |
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Wendy Watson’s Frog Went A‑Courting Presents the well-known folk song about the courtship and marriage of the frog and the mouse. Includes music. |
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A, B, C, D, Tummy, Toes, Hands, Knees A rhythmic, rhyming text lists objects, ideas, and actions; simple vignettes and full-page drawings provide the definitions by showing familiar activities and games enjoyed by a mother and child in the course of their day together. |
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Valentine Foxes The Fox family’s genial disarray is enlivened as the cubs prepare a special surprise. The book includes a recipe for Valentine Pound Cake.
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Wendy Watson’s Mother Goose In this comprehensive, lavishly illustrated volume, Watson shares her beguiling vision of the timeless world of Mother Goose. A wonderful introduction to the rich folklore of childhood. Full-color illustrations. |
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How I Feel: Happy No synposis yet. |
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How I Feel: Silly No synopsis yet. |
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How I Feel: Sad No synopsis yet. |
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How I Feel: Angry Describes, in simple terms, situations which make us angry and how to cope with feelings of anger. |
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Tales For a Winter’s Eve When Freddie Fox injures his paw in a skiing accident, his family and friends distract him with stories about the animal inhabitants of their village. |
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Doctor Coyote, A Native American Aesop’s Fable Coyote is featured in each of these Aztec interpretations of Aesop’s fables. The illustrations are set in the twentieth century. |
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Little Brown Bear Little Brown Bear would like to go fishing with his father, but his parents think he’s too small. |
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Belinda’s Hurricane While waiting out a fierce hurricane in her grandmother’s house on Fox Island, Belinda has a chance to get to know her grandmother’s reclusive neighbor Mr. Fletcher. |
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I Love My Baby Sister: Most of the Time A small girl looks forward to the time when her baby sister will be big enough to play with and be friends with. |
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Happy Birthday From Carolyn Haywood A collection of nine stories revolving around the birthday celebrations of a variety of the author’s characters, old and new. |
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Christmas at Bunny’s Inn Pop-up book: A three-dimensional Advent calendar. |
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Father Fox’s Feast of Songs Here is a joyous collection of songs for every family to enjoy together. Clyde Watson has chosen her favorites from the best-selling nursery rhyme books, Father Fox’s Pennyrhymes and Catch Me & Kiss Me & Say it Again, and set them to music in easy-to-play arrangements for voice, piano and guitar. Wendy Watson has illustrated her sister’s songs with humor and affection. Gather around the piano and sing— here are songs to celebrate every aspect of happy childhood and loving family life. |
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Betsy’s Up-and-Down Year The further adventures of Betsy on her family’s Wisconsin farm including her struggles with sibling rivalry, an encounter with a rattlesnake, a birthday party, and coping with the death of her grandfather. |
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The Bunnies’ Christmas Eve (pop-up book) Bunny learns the true meaning of Christmas as she takes part in a special ceremony and family holiday traditions, as depicted by stand-up illustrations with moving parts. |
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Applebet, An ABC A is for apple as everyone knows A Library of Congress Children’s Book of the Year. |
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The Biggest, Meanest, Ugliest Dog in the Whole Wide World Jonathan is terrified of the dog next door, until one day he throws his ball at it in defense and their relationship changes. |
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First Farm in the Valley: Anna’s Story Anna, the American-born daughter of Polish immigrants, longs to escape the rigors of Wisconsin farm life to visit the romanticized Poland of her dreams. |
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Winding Valley Farm: Annie’s Story Life for six-year-old Annie Dorawa on Winding Valley Farm just down the road from the Pellowskis’ first farm in the valley is busy and happy. Then one day, Annie hears her father speak about not planting that year, but instead moving into town. Is it really possible that they might leave their beautiful farm? What could her father be thinking about? This new anxiety, along with that inner imp of mischief always threatening to get her into trouble (and which finally does when brother John is killing chickens at the chopping block), hover over Annie as she works and plays with her sister and five brothers immersed in the vigorous life of their American-Polish community. Despite the discovery that life is not always easy or as she d like it to be, Annie begins to realize what warm security is to be found in a hardworking family rooted in faith and love. |
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Stairstep Farm: Anna Rose’s Story In the late 1930s, Annie’s daughter Anna Rose, as well as her other children, can make almost any chore an occasion for fun. But Anna Rose, who is busy enough with the farm work and a new baby sister, dreams of starting school. |
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Willow Wind Farm: Betsy’s Story Anna Rose’s seven-year-old niece Betsy has a special year, one in which all the relatives from near and far gather for a family reunion at her grandparent’s farm. Betsy then discovers how nice it is to live at the heart of a large and loving family. |
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Jamie’s Story Portrays a day in the life of a toddler as he helps his mother and father, plays, and discovers the world around him. |
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Button Eye’s Orange Taken to the market to be sold, a toy dog tries to return with an orange to his boy who wears a leg brace. |
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How Brown Mouse Kept Christmas On Christmas Eve the mice feast and make merry around the family’s Christmas tree, in full view of the sleeping cat, and Brown Mouse inadvertently does a kindness for the family. |
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Jenny’s Cat Lonely in their new town, Jenny is delighted when a stray cat comes to their house, but her mother doesn’t want the cat to stay. |
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Catch Me & Kiss Me & Say It Again Thirty-two rhymes for the very young including counting rhymes, lullabies, and games. |
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Has Winter Come? Although the children don’t recognize the faint smell of winter in the air, a woodchuck family begins preparing for long snowy nights. |
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Moving When Mom and Dad make plans to move to a new house, Muffin decides to remain in the old one. |
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Binary Numbers Introduces the principle and uses of binary numbers. |
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Maps, Tracks, and the Bridges of Konigsberg Offers a basic explanation of graph theory. |
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Christmas All Around the House: Instructions for making a variety of Christmas decorations, crafts, and foods that originated in different parts of the world. |
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Hickory Stick Rag Recounts, in rhyme, the good and bad events of a school year for the young animal children. |
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Lollipop Bunny goes through a lot before he finally gets his lollipop. |
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Heart’s Ease, A Little Book of Tender Thoughts No synopsis yet. |
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Quips & Quirks Briefly defines a number of names used to tease or insult for a hundred years or more. Includes rubberneck, flibbertigibbet, trollybags, and many more. |
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Muncus Agruncus: a Bad Little Mouse Always fond of adventure, Muncus Agruncus spends much of his time pursuing and escaping from mischief. |
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Sleep Is For Everyone Bedtime often seems to come too early, but what would happen if you never went to sleep? When scientists decided to find out, they discovered that your brain needs a rest after a long day of thinking, just as your muscles would need a rest after a long day of work. |
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The Birthday Goat The Goat family enjoys its outing to the Carnival until Baby Souci goat is kidnapped. |
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Upside Down and Inside Out Speculates in verse on the many ways the world could be turned upside down, inside out, and otherwise mixed up. |
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Animal Garden No synopsis yet. |
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Open the Door and See All the People After losing everything they own, including their dolls, when their house burns down, two sisters learn about a place where they can adopt dolls. |
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Tom Fox and the Apple Pie Tom Fox goes to the Fair to bring back an apple pie for his family. |
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Probability Simple experiments with easily available materials explain the theory of probability and how it is used by scientists, poll-takers, and industrialists. |
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A Gift of Mistletoe No synopsis yet. |
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America! America! No synopsis yet. |
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Life’s Wondrous Ways No synopsis yet. |
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Father Fox’s Pennyrhymes (Synopsis for the 2001 edition.) Life proclaimed this long-unavailable classic the “first authentically colloquial and breezily American nursery rhyme” when it was published in 1971. Now it is back for new generations to enjoy! All of Clyde Waterson’s verses have what School Library Journal calls the “foot-stomping rhythm of an American square dance call.” Some feel cozy and nostalgic; others are silly. Many evoke the pleasures of changing seasons. But they all keep readers and young listeners entertained, page after page. Wendy Watson’s fully imagined and finely detailed pictures of the splendid fox family, at home and on joyous outings, will make children giggle. As The New York Times Book Review explains, “Put it all together — rhymes and pictures — and the book is like a breath of fresh air.” |
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Happy Thoughts No synopsis yet. |
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How Dear to My Heart No synopsis yet. |
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Lizzie, the Lost Toys Witch The Lost Toys Witch goes around and gathers up all the toys that are left on carousels, in Killiwiddy chuckholes, or in old man Twiddledink’s tomato red pushcart. |
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Magic in the Alley Cleery finds a box with seven magic items in it and even though the magic is soon spent it brings three friends something of value. |
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Helen Keller The bestselling biography of Helen Keller and how, with the commitment and lifelong friendship of Anne Sullivan, she learned to talk, read, and eventually graduate from college with honors. |
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The Jack Book No synopsis yet. |
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God Bless Us, Every One! Christmas-themed anthology of sayings, poetry, proverbs and Bible quotes. |
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The Hedgehog and the Hare (the Brothers Grimm) This is the Grimm Brother’s version of one of the best-loved of all folk tales now retold and illustrated by Wendy Watson. The hare taunts the hedgehog for the shortness of his legs. The hedgehog suggests a race– and the hare is surprised when the hedgehog wins. The clever hedgehog had made a plan… |
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When Noodlehead Went to the Fair A cute story about Noodlehead going to the fair to win a prize for his carrot. |
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Uncle Fonzo’s Ford A ten-year-old girl is very much embarrassed by her uncle who intends well but always does things wrong, so that everyone laughs, especially the boy next door. |
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The Best in Offbeat Humor A collection of humorous quips presented by noted humorist, author, and comic book writer Paul B. Lowney. |
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Fisherman Lullabies No synopsis yet. |
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The Cruise of the Aardvark The aardvark is on a cruise and paints pictures of everyone – and they all look like him. After all, don’t they want to be improved? NO! |
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Daughter of Liberty The experiences of Polly Sumner, a French fashion doll in Boston during the American Revolution who once brought a note to Paul Revere and is now residing in the Old State House. |
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The Poems of Longfellow No synopsis yet. |
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The Strawman Who Smiled by Mistake No synopsis yet. |
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Love Is a Laugh No synopsis yet. |
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Rosabel’s Secret No synopsis yet. |
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A Comic Primer No synopsis yet. |
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The Spider Plant No synopsis yet. |
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Very Important Cat No synopsis yet. |
I’ve loved her work since Father Fox’s Pennyrhymes in the 70s. I was fortunate enough to buy one of her old books, Tales For a Winter’s Eve, just before she passed. Was so sorry to hear she had left us.
I went to the Putney School in Vermont while Wendy was a student there, too. She was a lovely person — the only girl there with hair as curly as mine! I also have several of her books. She was such a special illustrator; her work is exceptional — truly beautiful and special. Her death is a real loss to the world of children’s books — and to the world, period. You and your work are not forgotten, Wendy. Thank you and may you rest in peace.