Margot Zemach
Personal Information
Description
Margot Zemach (November 30, 1931 – May 21, 1989) was an American illustrator of more than forty children's books, some of which she also wrote. Many were adaptations of folk tales from around the world, especially Yiddish and other Eastern European stories. She and her husband Harvey Fischtrom, writing as Harve Zemach, collaborated on several picture books including Duffy and the Devil for which she won the 1974 Caldecott Medal.
Books
The fisherman and his wife
Relates the fate of the fisherman's greedy wife who was never satisfied with the wishes granted her by an enchanted fish.
The little red hen
The little red hen finds none of her lazy friends willing to help her plant, harvest, or grind wheat into flour, but all are eager to eat the bread she makes from it.
Duffy and the devil
The spinning and knitting the devil agrees to do for her win Duffy the Squire's name and a carefree life until it comes time for her to guess the devil's name.
It Could Always Be Worse
When a peasant complains to his rabbi about his family's cramped house, he's told to bring his farm animals inside.
To Hilda for helping
Hilda's father gives her a medal for being so helpful. Her sister is jealous.
Salt
A novel of Trinidad featuring Alford George, the son of a poor farm worker who rises above his class through sheer perseverance. He learns to speak properly by listening to broadcasts from England, studies hard to become a teacher, then turns activist to improve the educational system. That sends him into politics. By the author of The Wine of Astonishment.
Eating up Gladys
When Hilda and Rose get fed up with their older sister's bossiness, they get revenge by threatening to have her for dinner.
Three Sillies
An illustrated retelling of the folk tale about the suitor who won't marry the farmer's daughter until he finds three people sillier than the girl and her parents.
Self-Portrait
Artist writes of his life and loves, his art, his techniques, and artistic experiments.
Some from the moon, some from the sun
An illustrated collection of traditional poems and songs, including "This Little Pig Went to Market," "Brave News is Come to Town," and "Bingo."
Los tres cerditos
Relates the adventures of the three little pigs who leave home to seek their fortune and how they deal with the big bad wolf.
Jake and Honeybunch go to heaven
The exuberance of a man and his mule newly arrived in heaven causes so much furor that God gives them one last chance before He throws them out.
The Cat's elbow and other secret languages
Presents instructions for speaking thirteen secret languages, including Pig Latin, one of the best known and easiest codes to learn, and Boontling, developed by people in a California town.