ANN ARBOR—A collection of children’s illustrated books begun in the early 1940s to “stimulate the imagination” of the two young daughters of professors Lee and Esther (Sparkie) Walp has been given to the University Library of the University of Michigan. The Lee Walp Family Juvenile Book Collection includes more than 6,000 children’s books, hundreds of pieces of original artwork and 350 reference books related to children’s literature. Amassed during more than 50 years of collecting, several hundred of the books are signed by the authors and/or the illustrators.

U-M alumnus Lee Walp, who donated the children’s literature collection, looking at a book from the collection with Special Collections Library Head Peggy Daub The bulk of the collection consists of first editions of 20th-century children’s literature with a special emphasis on the first printings of the winners of the prestigious John Newbery and Randolph Caldecott Medals. Also included are hundreds of pieces of original artwork—some not used in the final published works—such as the “calling card collection,” personal miniatures created and signed by the illustrators exclusively for the Walps. The collection contains extensive holdings of several well-known children’s authors, including Ludwig Bemelmans author of the “Madeline” books, Margaret Wise Brown who wrote “Goodnight Moon,” H. A. Rey author of “Curious George” and many of the works of Dr. Seuss. A working archive of Ed Emberly and the entire collection and galleys of “Little Toot” by Hardie Gramatky are also part of this in-depth collection.

“This is truly an extraordinary collection of childhood books and illustrations,” said William A. Gosling, director of the University Library. “These are the books we grew up with—and the books we read to our children. Those researching topics associated with children’s literature, book illustrations, and evolving social issues now have access to a treasure of primary resources.” Lee Walp, U-M alumnus in biology 1930 (BS) and 1931 (MS), was a professor of biology at Marietta College of Ohio for most of his career. After retiring, Walp taught courses there in children’s literature and traveled extensively presenting lectures based on his collection. He and his wife published articles on the juvenile collection in a number of publications. The collection also includes archival materials, manuscripts of books, correspondence with many authors and illustrators the Walp’s came to know while building their collection, photos of authors and artists and a large body of articles and clippings. “I want the collection to be cared for and conserved and studied by scholars interested in children’s literature,” Walp said. “That is why I chose Michigan. I am proud to know the collection Sparkie and I so lovingly developed will be in one of the great libraries of the world.” The collection is housed in the Special Collections Library and is available to researchers. The Special Collections Library is on the 7th floor of the Harlan Hatcher Graduate Library, on the central campus. For more information about the Lee Walp Family Juvenile Book Collection or the Special Collections Library, call (734) 764-9377.

Special Collections Library — http://www.lib.umich.edu/spec-coll/