If I told you that Starling Burgess had died, you’d probably ask who he is.

But I sure have heard many wistful ‘ahs’ when people learned that Tasha Tudor died this past June at age 92. (She legally changed her name early on.)

Maybe she instinctively knew that Sterling Burgess wasn’t such a great name for an artistic soul.

Tasha Tudor was a prolific author and illustrator who rejected the 20th century to which she was born. Instead, she preferred the 19th century, reflected in the sweet, idealized images she created.

It was interesting to me when I found that her first book, Pumpkin Moonshine (Simon & Schuster) — which depicts a rural autumn in all its glory — is still in print.

A lot of Tasha Tudor’s books are still available, not just because she was prolific, but perhaps because her work provides a glimpse into a different, kinder, time and place.

Maybe Tudor’s books provide a respite from today’s frenzied life — the “real world” and its problems. In any case, Tasha Tudor will continue to live on through her work. And she will continue to be loved.

About the Author

Maria Salvadore is Reading Rockets’ consultant for children’s literature and literacy. Maria curates our themed booklists and writes the blog, Page by Page, which explores the best ways to use kids’ books both inside and outside of the classroom. She leads parent workshops for Ready To Learn (RTL) at WETA Public Broadcasting in Washington, D.C. She has also taught children’s literature at the University of Maryland, reviewed books for School Library Journal, and has served on various book award committees, including the Boston Globe/Horn Book Awards, Golden Kite, and the Caldecott Committee.

Publication Date
June 24, 2008
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