Marguerite
W. Davol
Author

   Marguerite Davol was born and grew up in Illinois, received a BA from the University of Colorado, with graduate courses at Kansas State and Rochester Universities. Since 1960 her home has been in South Hadley,  Massachusetts with summers in North Sandwich, New Hampshire. Her late husband Stephen Davol was Professor of Child Development at Mount Holyoke College and she taught pre-K at the College's laboratory school for many years, working with college students, as well as teaching young children, a perfect apprenticeship for writing children's books! Marguerite has three children and four grandchildren.

    Today after retiring from teaching, Davol focuses on her successful second career as a children's book writer. She writes mostly original folk tales, pourquoi, and tall tales, and visits schools as a Children's Book Author and Storyteller. Marguerite frequently presents adult workshops at conferences for writers, storytellers, and educators. 

She and her husband Robert Greenberg are world travelers. "I've discovered that one can write anywhere in the world," concludes Davol.

Published Books

The Snake's Tales by Marguerite Davol, illustrated by Yumi Heo, Reading level: Ages 4-8 Edition: Hardcover
32 pages Publisher: Orchard Books/Scholastic; X; (September 2002)

ISBN: 043931769X  

Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly  A smooth-tongued snake takes on the role of tempter and raconteur in a pleasing original story inspired by a Native American folktale. "Once upon the time of no stories," begins Davol (The Paper Dragon), creating and maintaining an appropriately timeless aura. On separate occasions, siblings Beno and Allita are individually sent by their mother to gather fruit for the family. Each encounters a sly snake that offers to tell them stories in return for the fruit they've just picked. As neither child has ever heard a story before, each accepts the snake's offer and is regaled with various myths and dramatic accounts. Mama and Papa, while deprived of strawberries and raspberries, are eventually rewarded with the entertaining fare that Beno and Allita have collected instead. Davol's folktale rhythm and simple imagery are just right for a tale about the origin of story. Heo (One Sunday Morning) creates a smiling, blank-eyed clan that recall wooden dolls. Her cheerfully cluttered pencil-and-oil compositions hum with activity. Drawing her subjects first people, chickens, fireflies, apple trees then painting background colors around them and leaving bits of white paper exposed, Heo gives her work extra pop. Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal - Writing in the style of a folktale, Davol employs traditional elements in her phrasing, use of repetition, and sound effects. Papa herds sheep and Mama cooks and weaves. One day, Mama sends her son to pick strawberries in the forest. He meets a hungry snake and the two make a trade-strawberries for stories. Another day, Mama sends her daughter to pick raspberries. She, too, meets the snake, makes a trade, and returns home empty-handed. Still later, the two children together trade some just-picked apples and that evening at the dinner table Papa tells of an unusual sight he came across-a fat, lumpy snake that could hardly move. The children share the snake's stories with their parents, who in turn share them with their friends. Davol credits a traditional Seneca tale, "The Storytelling Stone," as the inspiration for her pourquoi tale, but no specific setting or culture is established. Heo's signature stylized pencil-and-oil artwork is bright and cheerful with a swirling red snake curving through the pages, rounded family members smiling pleasantly, and brown lines suggesting branches and animal legs. A useful way of introducing the oral tradition. Susan Pine, New York Public Library Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Why Butterflies Go by on Silent Wings by Marguerite W. Davol, Robert Roth (Illustrator) Reading level: Ages 5-10
Hardcover - 32 pages (May 2001) Orchard Books; 

Kirkus Starred Review
Dr. Toy's 100 Best Children's Products for 2001
Dr. Toy's Ten Best Socially Responsible Products

ISBN: 0531303225  

An original pourquoi tale with Rob Roth's vibrant illustrations. The animal world once was very noisy and the noisiest were the butterflies. After a fierce storm, animals learn to appreciate quiet and the earth's beauty, and the butterflies go by on silent wings.

Editorial Reviews
From School Library Journal   "This original folktale  ...  is well written and the language is evocative. Painted in watercolor and then manipulated in PhotoShop, the delicate artwork is filled with vibrant colors. ... there is a lot to think about here, as the butterflies make their metamorphosis from self-absorbed and unattractive creatures into beautiful beings who have learned to look out instead of in." Joy Fleishhacker, formerly at School Library Journal Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

The Loudest, Fastest, Best Drummer in Kansas by Marguerite W. Davol, Cat Bowman Smith (Illustrator) Reading level: Ages 5-10 Hardcover - 32 pages (March 2000) Orchard Books; 

ISBN: 0531301915   

Editorial Reviews
From Kirkus Reviews Maggie was born to drum. She went ``pum-pa, pum-pa, pum-pa'' on her pediatrician's stethoscope and ``plup-a-plup-plan'' on the bars on her crib. When she gets her first real drum and declares her intention to be the loudest and fastest drummer in the state, no one doubts her. And they are indulgent of the aftershocks: her drumming is so intense and vibrant, she curdles the milk and shrivels the onions, she buckles the sidewalk and cracks windows, and eventually raises the Mayor's ire. From now on, drumming is against the law, he fumes. But when Maggie beats back an attack of killer wasps with a fierce drum roll, the mayor relents, only to declare her instrument unwelcome once again when he can stand her drumming no longer. All is quiet until a tornado hits town and Maggie unleashes her arsenal of drum beats to spin the twister to oblivion, save the mayor's goose (who had been swept up in the wind), and save the town. A slap-happy blend of hijinks, preposterousness, and snappy language keep Davol's (The Paper Dragon, 1997, etc.) book afloat, and a twangy and spirited reading will add immeasurably to its sheer foolishness, since it's real tall-tale material. Smith's (Bedtime!, 1999, etc.) uproarious, cartoony illustrations work well with the story's high, wild energy. Good fun all around. (Picture book. 5-9) -- Copyright 2000, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

From Publishers Weekly "Davol finds a happy beat with this boisterous story of a girl driven to drum."

The Paper Dragon  by Marguerite W. Davol, Robert Sabuda (Illustrator), Reading level: Ages 5-10, School & Library Binding - 60 pages (November 1997) Atheneum; 

Storytelling World Honor Book
ABA "Pick of the Lists"
ALA "Notable Book"
Booklist Starred Review
NCSS/CBC Notable Children's Book
Parents Choice Honor Book
SCBWI Golden Kite Awards: Picture Book text and Sabuda's illustrations

ISBN: 0689319924    

From the Publisher, Simon & Schuster
Mi Fei is a humble painter of scrolls. Between each day's sunrise and sunset, he paints scenes of the gods and their festivals, portraits of heroes and their deeds. Although the scrolls bring him fame, Mi Fei is content to live in his village, surrounded by people he loves.

But one day a messenger enters the village with terrible news: the dragon Sui Jen has awakened from its hundred year's sleep and is destroying everything in its path. Someone must find a way to return Sui Jen to its slumber. To the villagers, only one among them is wise enough to confront the scaly beast -- Mi Fei.

The power of the artist's vision and the ever-sustaining nature of love are brought together in Marguerite W. Davol's beautiful story, strikingly interpreted by Robert Sabuda in a series of gatefold illustrations that convey the storytelling majesty of the Chinese narrative scrollmaker's art.   

Editorial Reviews
From Publisher's Weekly   Davol's eloquent original Chinese tale about a humble scroll artist who saves his village is the inspiration for Sabuda's intricate and glorious gatefolds... Sabuda, known for his artistic versatility, ... channels his zeal into creating exquisite two dimensional cut-paper illustrations. ...Both artists have come together to celebrate their gifts in this ode to the simplest of all: love.

From Parents' Choice Mi Fei is a humble, beloved Chinese scroll painter. His idyllic existence is shattered when the dragon Sui Jen awakens from his hundred-year sleep and begins to do what dragons do best--laying waste the countryside. Through the process of elimination, Mi Fei finds himself facing the dragon. The text is printed on the right-hand pages which open up into triple-page spreads of glorious painted tissue paper collages. A 1998 Parents' Choice Silver Honor. Reviewed by Kemie Nix, Parents' Choice 1998

From Horn Book A story set in China tells of an artist who uses his beloved scrolls and his love for the people of his village to defeat a dragon. Triple-page gate-fold illustrations relate the story in the style of Chinese scrolls and also capture the drama of the confrontation between the gentle artist and the awe-inspiring dragon. The strong tale contains plenty of action for the story-hour audience. -- Copyright 1998 The Horn Book, Inc. All rights reserved.

Batwings and the Curtain of Night by Marguerite W. Davol, Mary GrandPr (Illustrator) Reading level: Ages 5-10
Hardcover - 32 pages (March 1997) Orchard Books; 

ABA "pick of the Lists"

ISBN: 0531300056   

Editorial Reviews
From Kirkus Reviews POINTER REVIEW A beguiling, original creation myth that explains why bats hang upside down in large groups. The Mother of All Things finds the world dull and gray, so she molds a perfect ball from clay and tosses it into the sky to become the sun. Her pockets and skirts and sleeves are full of seeds and creatures, and she populates the wide world with them. Seeing that the animals and plants needed to rest from the bright sun, she weaves a curtain of ferns and branches to draw across the sky, ``and night was born.'' The night creatures--owl, panther, coyote, sloth, and bats--find the night too dark, but the Mother of All Things charges them to solve the problem themselves. With gumption, cooperation, and courage, they do so, creating a sky full of stars and bringing the story to a heartening close. The rich, deep pastel illustrations use the figures of plants and animals in ways that stretch and bend the picture space. The Mother of All Things is a wondrous figure herself, with a ripe body, earth-colored robe, and abundant, plaited hair. The text is on the long side, but children's fascination with animals in general and mysterious bats in particular will keep them enthralled.  Copyright 1997, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

From Booklist This richly imaginative, original creation story sounds as if it had been passed down for years, but because it is new, the ending surprises as much as it satisfies. GrandPr uses pastels to create a velvety, subtly illuminated nighttime look. The Mother of All Things is elegantly graceful, and the pictures swirl with movement, so the story and illustrations almost dance off the page. Susan Dove Lempke

From Horn Book "... Davol's story flows gently, and GrandPr's pastel illustrations are gracefully integrated with the text. -- Copyright 1997 The Horn Book, Inc. All rights reserved.

How Snake Got His Hiss : An Original Tale by Marguerite W. Davol, Mercedes McDonald (Illustrator), Reading level: Ages 3-8 Hardcover (March 1996) Orchard Books;

ISBN: 0531094685  

An original pouquoi tale. Great fun to read and read aloud, it not only tells how Snake got his hiss, but also how other animals, after meeting snake, acquired their characteristics.

Editorial Reviews
From Publisher's Weekly "Davol's engaging, intentionally repetitious tale also encourages youngsters to chime in as the narrative reiterates the various sounds Snake makes while his shape changes. Newcomer McDonald's motion-filled, stylized pastels... handily match the tale's exuberance."

From Booklist This original "how and why" story has dynamic forward momentum and a satisfying, cumulative plot line. Snake was once "round as a coconut," so to get from one place to another, he had to puff himself up and roll. His lack of consideration for anything in his path ultimately resulted in the hyena's spots and the lion's mane, as well as the snake's present-day shape and hiss. From catchy repetitive phrases to sound effects, the story has the appeal of oral language, and the stylized illustrations of African animals are large enough to suit group story sessions. McDonald's bright neon colors make the pictures seem to pop off the page, and her use of strong geometric patterns adds energy to an already energetic tale.

Papa Alonzo Leatherby : A Collection of Tall Tales from the Best Storyteller in Carrol County
by Marguerite W. Davol, Rebecca Leer (Illustrator) Simon & Schuster 1995

ASIN: 0689802781 

A collection of original tale tales set in turn-of-the-century New England.

Editorial Reviews
From School Library Journal "From the mammoth maple tree that gave enough sap for syrup for the whole winter, to the goat that turned blue, to the biggest ding dong turkey ever seen in those parts, Papa Alonzo's tales touch on a variety of topics through out the seasons. His turns of phrase are delightful. The selections make great read-alouds and can be used to inspire more creative tall-tale telling."

Black, White, Just Right! by Marguerite W. Davol, Irene Trivas (Illustrator) Reading level: Ages 3-6 School & Library Binding - 1 pages (October 1993) Concept Books; 

ISBN: 0807507857   

Portrays a mixed-marriage family in a joyous and positive way. Davol's family includes an interracial marriage; two grandchildren from that marriage are "just right!"

Editorial Reviews
From Booklist  A mixed-race child celebrates the rich inclusiveness of her life in a joyful picture book... Each page has a rhyming refrain that ends, "just right." In keeping with the upbeat text, Trivas' energetic gouache illustrations are full of movement and affection. Hazel Rochman

From Horn Book Biracial readers may identify with the specific examples given, while all young children can relate to inheriting characteristics from their parents. The text varies from prose to a rhyme that can be followed; throughout both, the refrain "just right" consistently rings. -- Copyright 1994 The Horn Book, Inc. All rights reserved.

The Heart of the Wood  by Marguerite W. Davol, Sheila Hamanaka (Illustrator) Simon & Schuster 1992)

ASIN: 0671747789   

A cumulative poem celebrating the forest, music, and violin-making.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

"Davol sheds some gentle light on the interconnected worlds of art and nature... in a cumulative poem. The melodious text with a sing-song rhythm could well be a jumping off point for numerous discussions of ... ecology, craftsmanship, and art appreciation."

Presentations   

Marguerite Davol's programs vary in content and detail according to age level, but on every level she talks with children about where ideas come from, the writing process, the importance of words, and how a manuscript becomes a book. Discussions usually include specific topics related to her books -- for example, bats, snakes, China, Tall Tales, etc. Ms. Davol often reads from her books and always tells an original story so that children experience both the oral and written tradition.

School visits using this format are always highly successful and much praised by teachers and librarians. She quickly establishes a warm rapport with groups; children invariably respond with excitement and eagerly participate in the discussions. Certainly Marguerite's own love of books, her pleasure in visiting with school groups, and her sense of fun are communicated to the children. She treats with respect their ideas and knowledge, then adds to it -- whether discussing writing and books, or dragons and individual differences! By talking with children about her beautifully illustrated books and telling an original story, Marguerite tries to realize her goals for all children -- to encourage creative thinking, a desire to write, and a love of books.

Ms. Davol usually speaks to per-k-5 grade for approximately 45 minute sessions. For this level she prefers fifty or fewer children usually seated on the floor close by for good rapport. Older groups may be larger -- and she enjoys tailoring workshops for older students or adults which focus on her being an author and/or storyteller.

The Professional Fee for School Visits: Although this amount  is highly negotiable, the usual fee is $350 for half a day to $650 for a full day (up to 5 groups of children) plus basic travel expenses for trips over 100 miles. It is possible to share the visit and cost among several area schools.

Other Programs  or Workshops: The Fee is negotiable.

Contact
Marguerite Davol, Author
124 College Street, #19
South Hadley, MA 01075
Phone/Fax (413) 536-0422

mailto:davol@ttlc.net

WebSite: www.margueritewdavol.com

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