Rosemary Wells (born January 29, 1943) is an American writer and illustrator of children's books. She often uses animal characters to address real human issues. Some of her most well-known characters are Max & Ruby (later adapted into a Canadian-animated preschool television series, which aired on Nickelodeon (part of Nick Jr. block) since 2002), Noisy Nora, and Yoko.
Background & Career
Wells was born in New York City and raised in Red Bank, New Jersey. Her mother was a ballerina with the Ballet Ruse de Monte Carlo and her father was a playwright. She began drawing at age two. Wells' family encouraged her artistic talents and love of stories. "Reading stories aloud was as much a part of my childhood as the air I breathed," she recalled.
When Wells was nineteen, she attended the Boston Museum School, where she studied illustration. Before becoming an author and illustrator, Wells worked as an art editor for Allyn and Bacon, Inc and as an art designer for Macmillan Publishing.
In 1963, she married architect Thomas Moore Wells, with whom she has two daughters.
In 1968, Wells published her first book, an illustrated version of Gilbert and Sullivan’s A Song to Sing, O!. She has since published more than 60 books in her 30+ year career.
A common theme in Rosemary Wells' stories is the use of animal characters rather than humans. In the children's journal Stone Soup, Wells explained that she writes using animals because it allows her to address sophisticated, controversial topics in ways children can understand and adults can accept. For example, Yoko tackles the thorny topic of racism. It is about a young Japanese kitten who, in the beginning, is ostracized when she brings in sushi for her school lunch. At the story's conclusion, she gains acceptance by hosting a school luncheon where everyone brings in food native to their family from around the world. Many of the animal characters, such as those in Max & Ruby, interact with one another much as humans would, while others such as McDuff – a West Highland Terrier – take on a more realistic role as the adopted pet of a young couple.
Works
Children's books
1971–1973
Library of Congress catalog records imply that these six are children's picture books. Impossible, Possum (1971), written by Ellen Conford A Hot Thirsty Day (1971), by Marjorie W. Sharmat Two Sisters and Some Hornets (1972), by Beryl Epstein and Dorrit Davis Unfortunately Harriet (1972) Noisy Nora (1973) Benjamin & Tulip (1973)