Betsy-Tacy and Tib by Maud Hart Lovelace

Other children’s stories have also been written by her since the advent of the Betsy-Tacy tales. Lovelace wrote her first Betsy-Tacy book in 1940 and 11 others in the series have followed. “The children ask me about characters in the books and they tell me what books they want next.” “The Betsy-Tacy books have been rewarding to me because of the correspondence from children in every state in the Union,” said Mrs. But the children wanted more of them,” related Maud Hart Lovelace, author of the Betsy-Tacy series of books for girls. “When I wrote my first Betsy-Tacy book I never planned to write another. 6, 1961 article in the Mankato Free Press: Mankato Free Press – October 6, 1961 Lovelace’s visit to Mankato “would be of great interest to Mankatoans since the author was born and reared in our community.” Newspaper reports Maud Hart Lovelace, who lives at Claremont, California, and is famous for her Betsy-Tacy stories throughout the United States, will come to Mankato October 6 and 7 to speak to her admirers and friends.”īetsy-Tacy Days was made official by a proclamation by Mankato Mayor Rex Hill, who said Mrs. 19, 1961, the Mankato Free Press reported: “Mankato and the surrounding area will have a literary ‘treat’ this fall due to the efforts of the American Association of University Women, Mankato Branch.

The AAUW group was active all summer making plans and preparations. When I wrote my first Betsy-Tacy book, I never planned to write another. Anna Wiecking, who lived in the house across the street from the Gerlach house (Tib’s house) and knew many of the people involved, would chair the event. The proposal was quickly accepted, and it was decided that Dr.

In addition, most of the major characters were still living. Ellen Skibness, a professor at Mankato State University, proposed that the group sponsor a Betsy-Tacy weekend because Lovelace had grown up in Mankato and was writing about Mankato. The idea for the event was suggested at an AAUW board meeting that was held at the home of the board president, Kathryn Hanson, in May 1961.

The Mankato Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) was responsible for the plans to bring Maud Hart Lovelace to Mankato, her childhood home.

Betsy-Tacy and Tib by Maud Hart Lovelace