Crosby Barbara Bonsall (nee Newell), 1921-1995

Crosby was born on January 2, 1921.  Crosby Bonsall was an author and illustrator of many books for young children.  Mrs. Bonsall was born in Long Island and lived there for approximately 14 years. She then moved to New Jersey where she attended Tenafly High School, in Tenafly, New Jersey. She later studied at the New York University School of Architecture and subsequently at the American School of Design. As a young child she had a passion for designing.

Her career life started out in small advertising agencies. Her entry into children’s literature resulted from a doodle on her drawing board in the advertising agency in which she was a partner. A doll manufacturer who saw the doodle bought the rights to manufacture a doll based on it.  An orange haired, freckle faced rag doll with turned in toes and saddle shoes debuted in the winter if 1951.  Her name was Annie Beansprout and each doll came with a surprise in the pocket. Later, Crosby created a whole family of dolls, which were then used as characters in her first book, “The Surprise Party”.

Mrs. Bonsall and her husband George collaborated on several books that were published by Treasure Books and Wonder Books in the early to mid 1950’s. She then started to write books illustrated by other illustrators and photographers. A series of books based on the photographs of the famous animal photographer Ylla (pseudonym, Camille Koffler) were published in the late 1950’s and early 1960’s.  They included such works as “Where’s Jellybean Reilly”, “Look Who’s Talking”. “Polar Bear Brothers”, and “I’ll Show You Cats” honored by the New York Times in 1964.

Mrs. Bonsall believed that children might enjoy a mystery series that was easy to read and followed the same group of child detectives.  She wrote and illustrated a group of five “The Case Of…” books which debuted in 1963, introducing the Wizard Private Eye Club.

The authors style was summed up by a spokesperson of Harper Collins Publishers as follows, “Mrs. Bonsall’s deceptively simple style conceals a wealth of artistry, skillful characterization, suspense and humor rarely found in children’s books…The drawings, as delightful as the text, are an extra dividend.”

Although her books are extremely popular in their original state, some of her works have been updated to a more “90’s look”. Look for the newly colored “Case of the Hungry Stranger”, “Mine’s The Best”, “The Day I had To Play With My Sister”, and a Treasury Series containing 3 or her famous “The Case of “ mysteries. Please watch for additional updates in the near future.  We will keep you posted on the web site.

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