Jane Flory was a classic children’s book author/illustrator, whose career began in the 1940s and continued into the early 1980s. At the start of her professional life, Flory was part of a group of artists that helped define the look of the modern children’s book in America. These were books that were colorful, with a sense of play, optimistic and accessible.
In Flory’s first works, the pictures were as important as the story. Filled with lighthearted caricatures as well as cheerful graphics, Flory’s books were meant to entertain very young children in addition to creating a new generation of readers. With names like, “The Little Caboose”, “The TOO LITTLE Fire Engine” or “Snooty, the Pig Who Was Proud”, these spirited books were the type that young children would want to read over and over again.
In the early 1960 Flory took on more ambitious projects, writing and illustrating longer novels for an adolescent audience. Flory’s transition to novelist resulted in a body of work that was acclaimed, translated into several languages and presented her worldview. Books of this period often took place in historic settings addressing issues of self-esteem as well as hope and aspiration. Her stories were always empowering and encouraged.
