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Tag Archives: Harriet the Icon
Harriet at 46
Louise Fitzhugh died at the age of 46. By coincidence, this “biography” of Harriet the Spy is being written 46 years after its first publication. Fitzhugh will never grow older, but Harriet appears to be here for the long haul. … Continue reading →
Sandy’s Story
[I asked Sandy, “Did you dress like her? Buy a notebook and scribble in it? Sneak into places you shouldn’t have?” She wrote back:] YES to all of your questions, Faith. but i was always more chicken than Harriet, and … Continue reading →
Faith’s Story
Before Juliet, Elaine and Helene came to visit me and Winnifred in New York in 2001, I researched Louise Fitzhugh and Harriet; when they got to town, the five of us went on a Harriet the Spy walking tour in … Continue reading →
Cashing In On Harriet: Posthumous Publications
After Fitzhugh’s death, her literary executor, Lois Morehead, began mining her papers for further publishable material. The first to appear was I Am Five, a picture book which Fitzhugh had written and illustrated. Published by Delacorte in 1978, this book … Continue reading →
Translations, Plays, Other Versions
Harriet the Spy has been translated into at least 10 languages, according to records in WorldCat. (footnote) Other versions of the text include cassette, CD and downloadable audio books; large print and braille books; and downloadable e-book (including Kindle and … Continue reading →
Sequel and Sequelae
Fitzhugh appears to have considered the story of Harriet essentially complete with Harriet the Spy. Nonetheless, she immediately turned to a sequel, possibly as a result of urging from Nordstrom. She managed this by making Harriet a secondary character and … Continue reading →
Harriet Criticized
Rather like Harriet herself, Harriet the Spy did not make its observations about the world without evoking consternation and disapproval. Many early reviews were favourable. Gloria Vanderbilt (footnote), writing in the New York Times, gave the book a sweet review. … Continue reading →
Harriet is Born
Harriet the Spy was published in the fall of 1964, following several months of meetings and mentoring with Nordstrom and Zolotow. Nordstrom’s correspondence reveals a variety of marketing strategies. They sent the manuscript or advance copies to reviewers as well … Continue reading →