by Shirley Rousseau Murphy
"What is more real than the world seen through the eyes of wonder? Wonder, not cynicism, gives us our true view of reality. For wonder produces that heightened sense of the world that comes at special times--heightened not over what there is to see, but what we usually take the time and make the effort to see.... Large doses of ugliness, of violence, of mediocrity, can glut a child's vision and weaken him; none of these can build great castles before a child as magic can. The magic of creativity, of strong love and joy, a heightened sense of discovery of the world and self, these are the spells that can strengthen and keep a child."
--Shirley Rousseau Murphy, "The Reality of Magic," School
Media QuarterlyNote: Although these books are out of print, they can be found in many public libraries. Signed copies of some of them are available for purchase.
Picture Books
Wind ChildIllustrations by Leo and Diane Dillon
Harper, 1999
"Elements of fantasy and folklore intertwine in both the telling of and the art work for this haunting, mystical tale. Unaware that her father was an east wind, Resshie, now a young woman, yearns to be part of the sky.... Murphy's carefully honed prose, striking in its spare, direct simplicity, establishes a mythic tone. Subtle hints pave the way for an ending of allegorical proportions.... The stark beauty of both text and artwork are sure to draw sophisticated readers into the stunning meditation on the price of immortality." --Publisher's Weekly, May 17, 1999
"An exquisite story from Murphy (The Song of the Christmas Mouse, 1991, etc.) that has the air of myth about it, and which is intricately plotted visually by the Dillons.... The rhythms of the text find precise resonance in the pictures, and if the wind indeed has colors, they are the hues of these scenes, from gossamer greens to shadowy heliotropes, silvery blues, and gilt-edged platinum. A picture book to be cherished." --Kirkus Reviews, May 1, 1999
"The Dillons' art perfectly suits this book.... Hair, clothing, clouds, and leaves are in constant motion until the prince appears, when stillness momentarily falls on the art. As the intricate artwork imposes order on the curves of nature, so the weaving together of work and love, freedom and fulfilment, self and soul mate gives the tale depth and resonance." --School Library Journal, April, 1999
"With elements of myth and folklore, this is a satisfying romantic story enhanced by elegant, other worldly illustrations.... Will delight fairy tale fans." --ALA Booklist, June, 1999
"Wind Child is a visual and literary delight that will capture the imaginations of readers of all ages, not just its intended audience." --Monterey County Herald, June 27, 1999
"Even if one could not see the stunning paintings and sculptures that illustrate the text in Murphy's just-released book, Murphy's evocative wording flows in such mesmerizing, textured sounds that exquisite scenes are conjured before the mind's eye.... What a marvel this book is! --Carmel Pine Cone, June 18, 1999
Wind Child was among five HarperCollins titles chosen as "Pick of
the Lists" by the American Booksellers Association, and was featured in
the April 12 issue of Bookselling.
Valentine for a Dragon
Illustrations by Kay Chorao
Atheneum, 1984; Atheneum paperback
Tattie's River Journey
Illustrations by Tomie de Paola
Dial, 1983; Dial paperback
London: Methuen
Mrs. Tortino's Return to the Sun
(with Patrick Murphy)
Illustrations by Susan Russo
Lothrop, 1980
Dixie Council of Authors and Journalists Award
Younger Readers
The Song of the Christmas MouseIllustrations by Donna Diamond
Harper, 1990
Soonie and the Dragon
Illustrations by Susan Vaeth
Atheneum, 1979
The Pig Who Could Conjure the Wind
Illustrations by Mark Lefkowitz
Atheneum, 1978
The Flight of the Fox
Illustrations by Don Sibley; jacket by Richard Cuffari
Atheneum, 1978; Junior Literary Guild, 1978
Dixie Council of Authors and Journalists Award
Silver Woven in my Hair
Illustrations by Alan Tiegreen; British editon, Zoe Atkin
Atheneum, 1977; Avon paperback, 1991
London: Macdonald and Jane's, 1978
Dixie Council of Authors and Journalists Award
Elmo Doolan and the Search for the Golden
Mouse
Illustrations by Fritz Kredel
Viking, 1970; Avon paperback, 1982 --
The Sand Ponies
Illustrations by Erika Weihs
Viking, 1967
White Ghost Summer
Illustrations by Barbara McGee
Viking, 1967
Older Readers
Medallion of the Black Hound(with Welch Suggs)
Harper, 1989
"The Mooncup"
(Novella--in Anywhere, Anywhen, Sylvia Engdahl, ed.)
Atheneum, 1976
The Grass Tower
Atheneum, 1976
Poor Jenny, Bright as a Penny
Viking, 1974
Carlos Charles
(with Patrick Murphy)
Viking, 1971
Young Adult
See the Fantasy Novels page(Dixie Council of Authors and Journalists Awards for Night Pool, The Ivory Lyre and The Ring of Fire; Parent's Choice Award for The Ivory Lyre)
Articles About Children's Literature
"Fantasy for Young Readers"The Writer, September 1989
"Survival, Creativity and The Dormouse"
The Advocate, Spring 1984
"The Reality of Magic"
School Media Quarterly, Fall 1973
Signed Copies Available!
For new signed copies of the out-of-print books listed below, please e-mail
webmaster@joegrey.com to reserve
them for a limited time and to obtain the shipping cost and address for
mailing your check. (Please include your zip code--postage rates depend on
your location.) If you wish, you can pay by credit card at PayPal.
- Elmo Doolan and the Search for the Golden Mouse - paperback $5.95
- The Flight of the Fox - hardcover $15
- The Grass Tower - hardcover $20
- Medallion of the Black Hound - hardcover $15
- Mrs. Tortino's Return to the Sun - hardcover $20
- Poor Jenny, Bright as a Penny - hardcover $20
- Silver Woven in my Hair - hardcover $25; paperback $7.95
- Song of the Christmas Mouse - hardcover $25
- Soonie and the Dragon - hardcover $20
- Wind Child - hardcover $20
