Howard R. Garis

Howard Roger Garis, (April 25, 1873(1873-04-25) – November 6, 1962(1962-11-06)) was an American author, best known for a series of books, published under his own name, that featured the character of Uncle Wiggily Longears, an engaging elderly rabbit. Garis and his wife were possibly the most prolific children's authors of the early 20th century. Many of his books were illustrated by Lansing Campbell.

Garis was born in Binghamton, New York. He and his spouse Lilian Garis both worked as reporters for the Newark Evening News. He did some work on the side for WNJR also in Newark.

Contents

Uncle Wiggily

The first Uncle Wiggily story appeared January 10, 1910 in the Newark News. For almost four decades, the newspaper published an Uncle Wiggily story by Garis every day except Sunday, and the series was eventually nationally syndicated. By the time Garis retired from the newspaper in 1947, he had written more than 15,000 Uncle Wiggily stories.[1]

By virtue of his accessible characters and engaging plots, Garis was one of the most influential children's authors of his day. Many of his books, especially the Uncle Wiggily books, are still widely read and are readily available over the internet. Milton Bradley produced an Uncle Wiggily board game in 1967[2] and again in 1988.[3] The game debuted much earlier though and remained popular until the 1970s.

Stratemeyer Syndicate

Garis wrote many books for the Stratemeyer Syndicate under various pseudonyms. As Victor Appleton, he wrote about the enterprising Tom Swift; as Laura Lee Hope, he is generally credited with writing volumes 4–28 and 41 of the Bobbsey Twins; as Clarence Young, the Motor Boys series; as Lester Chadwick, the Baseball Joe series; ; and as Marion Davidson, a number of books including several featuring the Camp Fire Girls. The couple's children also wrote for Stratemeyer. After Edward Stratemeyer's death in May 1930, his two daughters, Harriet Stratemeyer Adams (1892–1982) and Edna C. Squier (1895–1974), ran the company, with the result that Garis stopped writing for the Syndicate in 1933 after several disagreements.[4]

Garis died in 1962 in Amherst, Massachusetts.

Biographies

Garis' son, Roger Garis, penned a biography of the writing Garis family My Father Was Uncle Wiggily (McGraw-Hill, 1966), as well as writing several books under his own name, and pseudonyms. His daughter, Cleo F. also wrote a three-volume series of mysteries, published by A. L. Burt. His granddaughter, Leslie Garis, wrote a more revealing memoir, The House of Happy Endings (Farrar, Strauss and Giroux, 2007).

Bibliography of titles written under Garis' name

Circus Animal stories

Published by R. F. Fenno

  1. Snarlie the Tiger, 1916
  2. Umboo the Elephant, 1918

Bed Time series

This series of children's books was written by Garis beginning in 1910. Each volume contains 31 stories, one for each day of the month:

  1. Sammie and Susie Littletail
  2. Johnny and Billy Bushytail
  3. Lulu, Alice & Jimmie Wibble-Wobble
  4. Jackie and Peetie Bow-Wow
  5. Buddy and Brighteyes Pigg
  6. Joie, Tommie and Kittie Kat
  7. Charlie and Arabella Chick
  8. Neddie and Beckie Stubtail
  9. Bully and Bawly No-Tail
  10. Nannie and Billie Wagtail
  11. Jollie and Jillie Longtail
  12. Jacko and Jumpo Kinkytail
  13. Curly and Floppy Twistytail
  14. Toodle and Noodle Flat-Tail
  15. Dottie and Willie Flufftail
  16. Dickie and Nellie Fliptail
  17. Woodie and Waddie Chuck
  18. Bobby and Betty Ringtail

The Curlytops series

Published by Cupples & Leon, illustrated by Julia Greene

  1. At Cherry Farm; or, Vacation Days in the Country, 1918.
  2. On Star Island; or, Camping Out with Grandpa, 1918.
  3. Snowed In; or, Grand Fun with Skates and Sleds, 1918.
  4. At Uncle Frank's Ranch; or, Little Folks on Ponyback, 1918. Cupples & Leon.
  5. At Silver Lake; or, On the Water with Uncle Ben, 1920.
  6. And Their Pets; or, Uncle Toby's Strange Collection, 1921.
  7. And Their Playmates; or, Jolly Times Through the Holidays, 1922.
  8. In the Woods; or, Fun at the Lumber Camp, 1923.
  9. At Sunset Beach; or, What Was Found in the Sand, 1924.
  10. Touring Around; or, The Missing Photograph Album, 1925.
  11. In a Summer Camp; or, Animal Joe's Menagerie, 1927.
  12. Growing Up; or, Winter Sports and Summer Pleasures, 1928.
  13. At Happy House; or, The Mystery of the Chinese Vase, 1931.
  14. At the Circus; or, The Runaway Elephant, 1932.

Buddy series

Cupples & Leon published this series about the adventures of Buddy Martyne with his family and friends:

  1. Buddy on the Farm or, a Boy and his Prize Pumpkin, 1929
  2. Buddy in School, or, a Boy and his Dog, 1929
  3. Buddy and his Winter Fun, or, a Boy in a Snow Camp, 1929
  4. Buddy at Rainbow Lake, or, a Boy and his Boat, 1930
  5. Buddy and his Chum, or, a Boy’s Queer Search, 1930
  6. Buddy at Pine Beach, or, a Boy on the Ocean, 1931
  7. Buddy and his Flying Balloon, or, a Boy’s Mysterious Airship, 1931
  8. Buddy on Mystery Mountain or, a Boy’s Strange Discovery, 1932
  9. Buddy on Floating Island or, a Boy’s Wonderful Secret, 1933
  10. Buddy and the Secret Cave or, a Boy and the Crystal Hermit, 1934
  11. Buddy and his Cowboy Pal or, a Boy on a Ranch, 1935
  12. Buddy and the Indian Chief or, a Boy among the Navajos, 1936
  13. Buddy and the Arrow Club or, a Boy and the Long Bow, 1937
  14. Buddy at Lost River or, a Boy and a Gold Mine, 1938
  15. Buddy on the Trail or, a Boy Among the Gypsies, 1939
  16. Buddy in Deep Valley or, a Boy on a Bee Farm, 1940
  17. Buddy at Red Gate or, a Boy on a Chicken Farm, 1941
  18. Buddy in Dragon Swamp or, a Boy on a Strange Hunt, 1942,
  19. Buddy’s Victory Club or, a Boy and a Salvage Campaign, 1943
  20. Buddy and the G-Man Mystery or, a Boy and a Strange Cipher, 1944
  21. Buddy and his Fresh Air Camp or, a Boy and the Unlucky Ones, 1947

Rocket Riders series

Teddy series

  1. Teddy and His Mystery Monkey, 1936
  2. Teddy and His Mystery Dog, 1936
  3. Teddy and His Mystery Cat, 1937
  4. Teddy and His Mystery Parrot, 1938
  5. Teddy and His Mystery Parrot, 1939
  6. Teddy and His Mystery Deer, 1940
  7. Teddy and His Mystery Goat, 1941

Uncle Wiggily series

  1. Uncle Wiggily's Adventures
  2. Uncle Wiggily's Travels
  3. Uncle Wiggily's Fortune
  4. Uncle Wiggily's Automobile
  5. Uncle Wiggily at the Seashore
  6. Uncle Wiggily's Airship
  7. Uncle Wiggily in the Country
  8. Uncle Wiggily in the Woods
  9. Uncle Wiggily on the Farm
  10. Uncle Wiggily's Journey
  11. Uncle Wiggily and Baby Bunty
  12. Uncle Wiggily's Story Book
  13. Uncle Wiggily's Picture Book
  14. Uncle Wiggily's Puzzle Book
  15. Uncle Wiggily on Sugar Island
  16. The Uncle Wiggily Book
  17. Uncle Wiggily's Bungalow
  18. Uncle Wiggily's Picnic Party
  19. Uncle Wiggily’s Surprises
  20. Uncle Wiggily's Happy Days
  21. Uncle Wiggly and The Canoe

Happy Home series

The Happy Home Series is a six-volume series of children's books written by Garis between 1926 and 1927:

  1. Adventures of the Galloping Gas Stove
  2. Adventures of the Runaway Rocking Chair
  3. Adventures of the Traveling Table
  4. Adventures of the Sliding Foot Stool
  5. Adventures of the Sailing Sofa
  6. Adventures of the Prancing Piano

References

  1. ^ Bodian, Nat. Old Newark Memories: "Recalling Newark News Writer Howard Garis and His Rabbit"
  2. ^ Milton Bradley, 1967
  3. ^ Milton Bradley 1988
  4. ^ Keeline, James D. "Stratemeyer Syndicate Pseudonyms".

External links