| The study sought to place May Massee and her career within the historical and literary framework of twentieth century children's publishing in the United States. Her contributions to the field were highlighted and her impact upon the field of children's literature was explored. The study explored May Massee's editorial career, looking at her relationship with the authors she published, and examined her extensive book list for award winners, books still in print, and editorial patterns. Two questions guided the study: (1) What were May Massee's unique contributions to the children's publishing field? (2) In addition, what was the impact and legacy of the titles, authors, and illustrators she edited during her career?; The study involved both an interpretive biography of Massee's life and a quantitative analysis of her extensive book list. Using field texts that documented Massee's life experiences and analysis of the book collection provided a comprehensive view of May Massee's career. The field texts served as the lens through which to view the book collection. The book collection analysis created the opportunity to explore the impact of May Massee's work.; The study revealed the innovative aspects of May Massee's career including publishing children's books about other lands and cultures, publishing children's books with a social conscience, discovering nurturing the careers of prominent children's authors, her achievements in innovative book design, and her role as one of the pioneering American children's publishers in the twentieth century.; May Massee created and served as the head of children's publishing divisions at both Doubleday and Viking. Her publishing career spanned the years 1922-1963. During that time, Massee edited 930 children's books of which 122, or 13% remain in print. Her books earned ten Newbery Medals and six Caldecott Medals. Prominent authors and illustrators whose careers were nurtured by May Massee include Marjorie Flack, Robert McCloskey, Ludwig Bemelmans, Robert Lawson, Elizabeth Gray Vining, James Daugherty, Kate Seredy, C.B. Falls, Elizabeth MacKinstry, Boris Artzybasheff, Doris Gates, and William Pene duBois. |
