Many recognize Esphyr Slobodkina as the author and illustrator of the beloved children’s tale Caps for Sale. However, Slobodkina produced 22 children’s books during her lifetime (either as author or illustrator or both).

Her very first book, Mary and the Poodies, was never published. Nevertheless, this delightful story with its innovative collage illustrations captured the interest of children’s book author Margaret Wise Brown, with whom Slobodkina would form a close professional and personal relationship.

Slobodkina collaborated with Brown on The Little Fireman (1937), the first American children’s storybook to be fully rendered in cut-paper collage.

Learn more:

• Library of Children’s Books
• Modernist at Story Hour – An Essay by Leonard Marcus
• Caps for Sale Activity Pages (coming soon)