Martha Alexander
Personal Information
Description
Martha Alexander is an author and illustrator who was born in Augusta, Georgia, on May 25, 1920. She attended the Cincinnati Academy of Fine Arts in Ohio from 1938 through 1942. Her marriage to Willson Stamper ended in divorce in 1959. Ms. Alexander, the creator of so many humorous children in literature, is the mother of two—a girl, Kim, and a boy, Allen. Martha Alexander is the embodiment of the person who marches to the beat of a different drummer. It is this same determination that has made her so successful in publishing. Her first published illustrative work was not for children, but for adults, drawing cosmetics for magazines. When she made the discovery that she was not going to get rich by drawing makeup, she decided she may as well draw something she would like to. And if she became rich in the process, so much the better. Her economic status aside, Martha has decidedly enriched the children's book field with her characteristically small-format books such as the Blackboard Bear series, among others. (adapted from Jim Roginski's "Behind The Covers")
Books
Max and the dumb flower picture
Despite his teacher's entreaties that it would be perfect for Mother's Day, Max refuses to color in the same flower picture as the rest of the class.
I'll never share you, Blackboard Bear
After the bear he has drawn on the blackboard comes to life, Anthony does not want to share him with Gloria and Stewart.
Where's Willy?
Willy hides from his older sister Lily in a paper bag. On board pages.
Lily and Willy
As Lily and her brother Willy play together, whatever Lily's doll does Willy's teddy bear wants to do too. On board pages.
Willy's boot
Lily and her little brother Willy clean up the room, but then Willy undoes their work in his search for his boot. On board pages.
Good night, Lily
Lily reads a bedtime story to her younger brother Willy, who shares it with his teddy bear, who reads it to Lily's doll. On board pages.
Where does the sky end, grandpa?
A grandfather and child take a walk outdoors, admiring such natural wonders as the endless sky, a flowing stream, and seeds blowing in the wind.
My outrageous friend Charlie
Jessie Mae admires her outrageous friend Charlie because he can do anything; but, when he gives her a Super Delux Triple Magic kit for her birthday, she finds that she can be outrageous too.
Even that moose won't listen to me
A little girl tries various means to get rid of a giant moose in the garden after she repeatedly warns her family and they refuse to believe her.
How my library grew, by Dinah
Neither Dinah nor her Teddy Bear have ever been to a library, but when one is built just down the street, she looks forward to the opening day.
Maggie's moon
A little girl and her dog set out to capture the moon and bring it home with them.
Marty McGee's space lab, no girls allowed
Marty McGee does not like girls--especially when they break into his romanian space lab.
We're in big trouble, Blackboard Bear
Anthony's bear learns a hard lesson about leaving other people's things alone.
Sabrina
"When Sabrina disappears, an airman in the U.S. Air Force is drawn into a web of suppositions, wild theories, and outright lies. Sabrina depicts a modern world devoid of personal interaction and responsibility, where relationships are stripped of intimacy through glowing computer screens. An indictment of our modern state, Drnaso contemplates the dangers of a fake news climate."--
When the new baby comes, I'm moving out
Oliver is going to be a big brother, and he does not like the idea one bit.
I sure am glad to see you, Blackboard Bear
Little Anthony's bear is immensely helpful when he has to deal with other children who are teasing, selfish, or bullying.
I'll be the horse if you'll play with me
It's hard to be in the middle with brothers too old or too young to play with--or are they?
No ducks in our bathtub
A little boy thinks he's found the solution to his mother's "no pets" rule when he brings home fish eggs.
Poems and prayers for the very young
A collection of poems by various poets, many with a spiritual orientation.