Out-of-Print Children's Books
by Shirley Rousseau Murphy
(For children's books currently available in paperback and/or ebook editions click the YA & CHILDREN tab above.)
Wind Child
Illustrations by Leo and Diane DillonHardcover: Harper, 1999
"Elements of fantasy and folklore intertwine in both the telling of and the art work for this haunting, mystical tale. Unaware that her father was an east wind, Resshie, now a young woman, yearns to be part of the sky. . . . Murphy's carefully honed prose, striking in its spare, direct simplicity, establishes a mythic tone. Subtle hints pave the way for an ending of allegorical proportions. . . . The stark beauty of both text and artwork are sure to draw sophisticated readers into the stunning meditation on the price of immortality." --Publisher's Weekly, May 17, 1999
"An exquisite story from Murphy . . . that has the air of myth about it, and which is intricately plotted visually by the Dillons. . . . The rhythms of the text find precise resonance in the pictures, and if the wind indeed has colors, they are the hues of these scenes, from gossamer greens to shadowy heliotropes, silvery blues, and gilt-edged platinum. A picture book to be cherished." --Kirkus Reviews, May 1, 1999 "The Dillons' art perfectly suits this book. . . . Hair, clothing, clouds, and leaves are in constant motion until the prince appears, when stillness momentarily falls on the art. As the intricate artwork imposes order on the curves of nature, so the weaving together of work and love, freedom and fulfilment, self and soul mate gives the tale depth and resonance." --School Library Journal, April, 1999
"With elements of myth and folklore, this is a satisfying romantic story enhanced by elegant, other worldly illustrations. . . . Will delight fairy-tale fans." --ALA Booklist, June, 1999
"Wind Child is a visual and literary delight that will capture the imaginations of readers of all ages, not just its intended audience." --Monterey County Herald, June 27, 1999
"Even if one could not see the stunning paintings and sculptures that illustrate the text in Murphy's just-released book, Murphy's evocative wording flows in such mesmerizing, textured sounds that exquisite scenes are conjured before the mind's eye. . . . What a marvel this book is! --Carmel Pine Cone, June 18, 1999
Wind Child was among five HarperCollins titles chosen as "Pick of the Lists" by the American Booksellers Association, and was featured in the April 12 issue of Bookselling.
The Song of the Christmas Mouse
Illustrations by Donna DiamondHardcover: Harper, 1990
Rick's effort to capture a beautiful wild mouse for a pet seem constantly thwarted by his willful younger cousin who has come to stay for Christmas.
"A tender fable about the special epiphanies of childhood. With swift, sure strokes, Rick and Hattie Lou are believably drawn--as is the mouse, who is, nevertheless, still a mouse. A quiet, lovely story." --Kirkus
Medallion of the Black Hound
(with Welch Suggs)
Hardcover: Harper, 1989
The power of the Medallion of the Black Hound brings David into a world called Meryn where he must join in the battle of good against evil.
Valentine for a Dragon
Illustrations by Kay ChoraoHardcover: Atheneum, 1984; paperback: Dial
A demon thinks of a special gift to win the love of a lady dragon on Valentine's Day.
Tattie's River Journey
Illustrations by Tomie de PaolaHardcover: Dial, 1983; paperback: Dial
London: Methuen
When Tattie's house floats away on a flooded river, she takes in several animals and people and has a wonderful ride.
Mrs. Tortino's Return to the Sun
(with Pat Murphy)
Illustrations by Susan RussoHardcover: Lothrop, 1980
Vowing never to leave her old Victorian house located among tall buildings that block out most sunlight, Mrs. Tortino agrees to the unusual plan proposed by a man in a bowler hat.
Soonie and the Dragon
Left all alone in the world after the death of her aunt, Soonie sets out to seek her fortune and finds it by rescuing three different princesses who had been stolen by a dragon.
The Flight of the Fox
Illustrations by Don Sibley; jacket by Richard CuffariHardcover: Atheneum, 1978; Junior Literary Guild, 1978
With the help of a boy and his pet lemming, Rory, a wandering kangaroo rat, restores a model of a Fairey Fox airplane to fly on his travels and foils a flock of starlings that has overrun the town.
Winner of a Dixie Council of Authors and Journalists Award.
The Pig Who Could Conjure the Wind
Illustrations by Mark LefkowitzHardcover: Atheneum, 1978
A witch pig's one passion in life, to fly on the wind, is endangered when a demon puts a spell on her.
The Grass Tower
(Young Adult)Hardcover: Atheneum, 1976
Bethany's suppressed talent for ESP raises troubling questions when her visions take her to another place.
"A powerful and extremely moving novel . . . pushes out the borders and deals honestly with difficult questions without sacrificing a fsst-moving plot." --Vanguard, Toronto, Ontario
"Will appeal to those who want a little more psychological texture than the ESP-gothic usually offers." --Kirkus Reviews
Carlos Charles
(with Pat Murphy)
Hardcover: Viking, 1971
A twelve-year-old parolled to a boat builder leads a promising new life until his former prison companions appear.
Elmo Doolan and the Search for the Golden Mouse
Illustrations by Fritz KredelHardcover: Viking, 1970; paperback: Avon, 1982
Upset by the books that say they are stupid, smelly, and lowly, a family of library mice do the research and write a book about the true nature of mice.
Articles About Children's Literature by Shirley Rousseau Murphy
"Fantasy for Young Readers"
The Writer, September 1989
"Survival, Creativity and The Dormouse"
The Advocate, Spring 1984
"The Reality of Magic"
School Media Quarterly, Fall 1973
"What is more real than the world seen through the eyes of wonder? Wonder, not cynicism, gives us our true view of reality. For wonder produces that heightened sense of the world that comes at special times--heightened not over what there is to see, but what we usually take the time and make the effort to see.... Large doses of ugliness, of violence, of mediocrity, can glut a child's vision and weaken him; none of these can build great castles before a child as magic can. The magic of creativity, of strong love and joy, a heightened sense of discovery of the world and self, these are the spells that can strengthen and keep a child." --Shirley Rousseau Murphy, "The Reality of Magic"