Leonard.S Marcus author page

Leonard S. Marcus biography

Leonard S. Marcus is an American author, historian, and critic specialising in children’s literature. He is widely recognised for his research and writing on the history of children’s books and illustration. Marcus has written numerous biographies, critical studies, and interviews with authors and illustrators, contributing to a deeper understanding of the field.

He is the author of several notable works, including Margaret Wise Brown: Awakened by the Moon, a biography of the author of Goodnight Moon, and Minders of Make-Believe: Idealists, Entrepreneurs, and the Shaping of American Children’s Literature, which explores the development of children’s publishing in the United States. Marcus has also edited collections such as Dear Genius: The Letters of Ursula Nordstrom and The Annotated Phantom Tollbooth.

In addition to his books, Marcus has contributed articles and essays to publications including The New York Times Book Review, Horn Book Magazine, and Publishers Weekly. He has curated exhibitions related to children’s literature at institutions such as the New York Public Library and the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art.

Marcus has served as a judge for several literary awards and has lectured widely on the history and criticism of children’s books. He is known for conducting in-depth interviews with leading figures in the field, as seen in his book Funny Business: Conversations with Writers of Comedy.

In 2023, Leonard S. Marcus published Pictured Worlds: Masterpieces of Children’s Book Art by 101 Essential Illustrators from Around the World.