Howard Roger Garis
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Howard Roger Garis, (April 25, 1873, Binghamton, New York–November 6, 1962, Amherst, Massachusetts) was an American author, best known for a series of books, published under his own name, that featured the character of Uncle Wiggily Longears, an engaging elderly rabbit.
Garis also wrote many books for the Stratemeyer Syndicate under various pseudonyms. As Victor Appleton, he wrote about the enterprising Tom Swift; as Laura Lee Hope, he is generally credited with writing volumes 4–28 and 41 of the Bobbsey Twins; as Clarence Young, the Motor Boys series; as Lester Chadwick, the Great Marvel series and books featuring Baseball Joe; and as Marion Davidson, a number of books including several featuring the Camp Fire Girls.
By virtue of his accessible characters and engaging plots, Garis was the one of the most influential children's authors of his day. Many of his books, especially the Uncle Wiggily books, are still widely read and are readily available over the internet.
Milton Bradley produced an Uncle Wiggily board game in 1967 [1] and again in 1988. [2] The game debuted much earlier though, and was most popular up till the 1970's.
Prior to writing for Stratemeyer, Garis and his spouse Lilian Garis both worked as reporters for the Newark Evening News. He did some work on the side for WNJR also in Newark. Their children also wrote for Stratemeyer.
His son Roger Garis penned a biography of the writing Garis family My Father Was Uncle Wiggily (McGraw-Hill, 1966). Forty years later, Howard Garis' granddaughter Leslie Garis wrote a more revealing memoir, The House of Happy Endings (Farrar, Strauss and Giroux, 2007).
Contents |
[edit] The Bed Time Series
The Bed Time Series is a series of Children's books written by Garis beginning in 1910. Each volume contains 31 stories, one for each day of the month.
Series titles
- Sammie and Susie Littletail
- Johnny and Billy Bushytail
- Lulu, Alice & Jimmie Wibble-Wobble
- Jackie and Peetie Bow-Wow
- Buddy and Brighteyes Pigg
- Joie, Tommie and Kittie Kat
- Charlie and Arabella Chick
- Neddie and Beckie Stubtail
- Bully and Bawly No-Tail
- Nannie and Billie Wagtail
- Jollie and Jillie Longtail
[edit] Happy Home Series
The Happy Home Series is a 6-volume series of Children's books written by Garis between 1926 and 1927. Garis and his wife were possibly the most prolific children's authors of the early 20th century.
Series titles:
- Adventures of the Galloping Gas Stove
- Adventures of the Runaway Rocking Chair
- Adventures of the Traveling Table
- Adventures of the Sliding Foot Stool
- Adventures of the Sailing Sofa
- Adventures of the Prancing Piano
