Fraternity-Testvériség, 1960 (38. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1960-09-01 / 9. szám
FRATERNITY 7 MISKA PETERSHAM—PETREZSELYEM MIHÁLY 1889—1960 Miska Petersham, 71, Hungarian-born author and artist whose gaily illustrated books for children were enjoyed by youngsters and parents alike, died of cancer recently at Circle Terrace Hospital in Alexandria, Va. He had spent the winter months in Arlington, although he maintained a home and studio in Woodstock, N. Y. With his wife, Maud, also an artist and writer, Mr. Petersham wrote books that have delighted families in the United States and Europe for more than 30 years. The Petershams’ book, “The Rooster Crows”, won the 1946 Caldecott Award as the best illustrated children’s book of the year. Mr. Petersham’s stories and drawings had a brilliance and flavor that reflected his own life. Born in a small village near Budapest, he came to the United States in 1912. He cherished the freedom of opportunity here and became a naturalized American citizen, but never forgot his own origins. He illustrated “Poppyseed Cakes”, by Margery Clark, a tale of Hungarian village life. “Miki”, a story that the Petershams wrote, gives a vivid description of Hungary, its food, music and customs, through the eyes of a boy. One of their books, “The Christ Child”, used the narrative from the Gospel with simple drawings rich in beauty to tell the story of the New Testament. The Petershams were pioneers in writing informational books. In a series of stories on the wheel, trains, ships and other aspects of modern civilization, their dramatic use of gay and lively colors captured the romance and excitement of daily living for their young readers. Besides his wife, Mr. Petersham is survived by a son, Miska F., a member of the faculty at Kent State University in Ohio. APPRECIATION The Hungarian Reformed Federation of America Gentlemen: In the name of the General Library of the University of California, I should like to acknowledge with sincere appreciation your gift of three copies of “Dezső Szabó, 1879-1945, A Magyar Iró-Géniusz Emlékezetére az Emlékbizottság Kiadása; Washington, 1959.” It was indeed kind of you to send this material to us. Very sincerely yours, (Mrs.) Helen C. Brenner, Head, Gift Division, Acquisition Department
