Growing Pains is a collection of Wanda Gág's early diaries and drawings, first published in 1940. It provides a personal and often humorous insight into her youth and her journey to becoming a renowned artist and author. The book spans the years 1908-1917 and offers a unique perspective on her development as an artist.
Published in 1854, 'Walden; Or, Life in the Woods' is a series of 18 essays that reflect Thoreau's experiences living in a small cabin near Walden Pond from July 1845 to September 1847. The book is a personal declaration of independence, a social experiment, and a voyage of spiritual discovery. Thoreau details his life in the woods, discussing the construction of his cabin, his daily activities, and his philosophical reflections on economy, social relations, and the importance of living in harmony with nature. The work is considered a cornerstone of American literature and a foundational text in the Transcendentalist movement, emphasizing the benefits of a simplified lifestyle and the importance of individual freedom and self-reliance[2][4][5].
In 'Snippy and Snappy', Wanda Gág tells the story of two curious field mice who venture away from home while playing with their mother's yarn ball. Their journey leads them to a house filled with mysterious objects, where they encounter a mousetrap and are rescued by their father. The book features Gág's signature black and white illustrations, capturing the wonder and playfulness of their adventures.
Wanda Gág's "Gone is Gone" is a children's book that explores gender roles in a humorous and slightly dark way. The story follows Fritzl, who believes he works harder than his wife, Lisi. Their decision to switch roles for a day leads to unexpected and comical events. The book's narrative and illustrations reflect Gág's signature style. The story's unexpected twists and turns keep readers engaged. The book's themes of gender roles and the challenges of housework are subtly explored.
The story follows an elderly couple who are very lonely and decide to adopt a cat. The husband sets off to find a beautiful cat but ends up discovering a hillside covered in millions of cats. He decides to take all of them home, which leads to a series of problems, including the cats consuming all the water and food, and eventually fighting over which one is the prettiest. In the end, only one skinny cat remains, which the couple takes in and cares for, realizing it was the prettiest of all.
The ABC Bunny by Wanda Gág is a classic children's alphabet book, originally created for her nephew Gary. The story follows Bunny as he leaves Bunnyland and encounters various characters and events, each corresponding to a letter of the alphabet. The book features black and white illustrations by Gág and includes sheet music for the 'ABC Song', composed by her sister Flavia.
Michael Wigglesworth's "The Day of Doom" is a Puritan poem describing the Day of Judgment. The poem vividly depicts the judgment of souls and the consequences of sin. Wigglesworth's work reflects the religious beliefs and anxieties of his time. The poem's graphic descriptions and moralistic tone made it a popular and controversial work. "The Day of Doom" remains a significant example of Puritan literature and its preoccupation with death and judgment.
Wanda Gág's adaptation of "Tales from Grimm" showcases her unique artistic style and storytelling abilities. Gág rewrites and illustrates classic fairy tales, adding her own distinctive touch. The book's illustrations are as captivating as its narratives, reflecting Gág's signature dark humor. The book's enduring appeal lies in its blend of classic stories and Gág's unique interpretation. The book remains a testament to Gág's artistic talent and her ability to reinterpret classic tales.
After struggling to raise her siblings and start an art career, Wanda Gág’s life changed almost instantly with the publication of her first children’s book. Part two of her story looks at how her books sustained her financially so she could also make the art she wanted.
Research:
- Anderson, Phil. "Gág, Wanda (1893–1946)." MNopedia, Minnesota Historical Society. http://www.mnopedia.org/person/g-g-wanda-1893-1946
- Cox, Richard W. “Wanda Gág The Bite of the Picture Book.“ Minnesota History. Fall 1975. https://storage.googleapis.com/mnhs-org-support/mn_history_articles/44/v44i07p238-254.pdf?__hstc=98931905.4376bcd11fc21fde4cdd335d087cb15e.1742826273001.1742826273001.1742826273001.1&__hssc=98931905.1.1742826273001&__hsfp=979038277
- Cox, Richard, and Julie L’Enfant. “Old World Symphony.” Minnesota History. Spring 1996. https://storage.googleapis.com/mnhs-org-support/mn_history_articles/55/v55i01p002-015.pdf?__hstc=98931905.4376bcd11fc21fde4cdd335d087cb15e.1742826273001.1742826273001.1742826273001.1&__hssc=98931905.1.1742826273001&__hsfp=979038277
- Gág , Wanda. “Growing Pains.” Coward-McCann. 1940. https://ia801401.us.archive.org/10/items/in.ernet.dli.2015.88331/2015.88331.Growing-Pains-Diaries-And-Drawings-For-The-Years-1908-1917.pdf
- Gág , Wanda. “Millions of Cats.” Coward-McCann. 1928. https://www.google.com/books/edition/Millions_of_Cats/2YjWAAAAMAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=0
- Gág , Wanda. “The Funny Thing.” Coward-McCann. 1991. https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Funny_Thing/c1nhAAAAMAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=0
- Gág , Wanda. “SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS.” Coward-McCann. 1938. Accessed online: https://gutenberg.ca/ebooks/Gág -snow/Gág -snow-00-h-dir/Gág -snow-00-h.html
- Gág , Wanda. “Snippy and Snappy. Coward-McCann. 1931. Accessed online: https://gutenberg.ca/ebooks/Gág -snippy/Gág -snippy-00-h-dir/Gág -snippy-00-h.html
- Gregory, Alice. “Juicy As a Pear: Wanda Gág’s Delectable Books.” The New Yorker. April 24, 2014. https://www.newyorker.com/books/page-turner/juicy-as-a-pear-wanda-ggs-delectable-books?_sp=0d46b6ea-f03e-46b9-aa69-dd7bd3c6100b.1742826428861
- Hurley, Beatrice J. “Wanda Gág - Artist, Author.” Elementary English, vol. 32, no. 6, 1955, pp. 347–54. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/41384370
- Keller, Sara. “Reciprocal Connections: Wanda Gág and her Hometown Community of new Ulm, Minnesota.” Kappa Omicron Nu. https://publications.kon.org/urc//v9/Interconnected-Through-Art/keller.pdf
- Popova, Maria. “Pioneering Early-Twentieth-Century Artist and Creative Entrepreneur Wanda Gág on Our Two Selves and How Love Lays Its Claim on Us.” The Marginalian. March 11, 2015. https://www.themarginalian.org/2015/03/11/wanda-Gág -growing-pains-me-myself/#:~:text=By%20Maria%20Popova,was%20already%20on%20her%20deathbed.
- Scott, Alma. “Wanda Gág : The Story of an Artist.” Kessinger Publishing. 2007.
- Showalter, Elaine. “These Modern Women: Autobiographical Essays from the Twenties.” Feminist Press at CUNY. 1989.
- “Wanda Gág.” Wanda Gág https://wandaGág house.org/wanda-Gág /
- Wigglesworth, Michael. “The Day of Doom.” Spiral Press. 1929. Accessed online: https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uva.x000889310&seq=9
- Winnan, Audur H. “Wanda Gág .” University of Minnesota Press. 1993.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Stuff You Missed in History Class 
