Lois Lenski was a prominent American illustrator and author, renowned for her children's books. Born in Springfield, Ohio, in 1893, Lenski developed a love for reading from a young age. She pursued her higher education at Ohio State University, where she studied to become a teacher and engaged in various art courses, eventually becoming the art editor for the university yearbook. However, Lenski never practiced teaching, instead choosing to become an art student in New York to prepare for a career in fine arts. It was during this time that she met and married Arthur Covey, a well-known painter, in 1921.
Lenski's body of work comprises 98 books, with several being published posthumously. Many of her books can be categorized into series, although they don't necessarily need to be read in a specific order. One of her most famous sets is the American Regional Series, which she began writing in 1943. This series was inspired by her winter travels through the southern United States with her husband, during which she observed and documented the diverse ways of life she encountered. Lenski's experiences during these trips led her to realize that there were no books detailing the various lifestyles of children in the United States, prompting her to create the American Regional Series.
Lenski's American Regional Series includes titles such as Bayou Suzette, Strawberry Girl, Blue Ridge Billy, Judy's Journey, Boom Town Boy, Cotton in My Sack, Texas Tomboy, Prairie School, Corn-Farm Boy, San Francisco Boy, Flood Friday, Houseboat Girl, Coal Camp Girl, Shoo-Fly Girl, To Be a Logger, Deer Valley Girl, and many more. These books provide valuable insights into the lives of children from different regions and backgrounds in the United States, making them an essential contribution to children's literature.
In addition to her work on the American Regional Series, Lenski also illustrated the first four books in the Betsy-Tacy series and won the 1946 Newberry Medal for her book Strawberry Girl. Her extensive bibliography and commitment to showcasing the diversity of children's experiences have solidified Lenski's place as a significant figure in American children's literature.