Patsy and the Pup
Hilda van Stockum (1908-2006) was an internationally noted author and illustrator of such children's classics as The Mitchells, Patsy and the Pup, Kersti and Saint Nicholas, and A Day on  Skates, for which she took Newbery honors. Winner of the Brotherhood Award of the National Conference of Christians and Jews, Ms. van Stockum was known for her warm and vivid, but realistic depictions of family life, often in the face of difficulty or danger. Her most famous book, The Winged Watchman (1962, named a "Notable Book" by the American Library Association), tells the story of two young boys living in a windmill who help the Dutch resistance during the German occupation of the Netherlands in World War II.   Her books were originally published primarily by Viking Press, during what has been called a "golden age" of children's literature shepherded by the inspiring and author-friendly editor, May Massee. Her books were widely and favorably reviewed, and were also favorites among librarians because they celebrated family life and dealt with issues of good and evil - and because librarians noticed that the books held the attention of children.