GERTRUDE CHANDLER WARNER AND THE BOXCAR CHILDREN

Warner was a reader and a writer from childhood on. Encouraged by her mother, she and her sister read constantly, kept daily journals, and wrote and produced books for the family. In all other respects her life was typical of a child's in small-town America at the turn of the century, except for one thing. The Warners' house was directly across from a railroad station, and train traffic in Putnam, Connecticut, was considerable. From the house Gertrude could see into the train cars, and one day glimpsed the interior of a caboose, with a little stove, table, and dishes for the use of the railway workers. That image stuck in her mind and, of course, became the basis for her highly successful Boxcar Children tales. Ellsworth makes clear that Warner did a great deal more than write these books. She was a popular and creative teacher, wrote four adult books and a dozen works of nonfiction for children, as well as contributing to magazines and newspapers. In this affectionate, animated biography, Warner comes across as a fascinating individual; her story will enchant The Boxcar Children's legions of fans. (b&w photos and illustrations, bibliography, index) (Biography. 7-12)