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Gabby Gaffer written by May Justus and illustrated by Carrie Dudley. Published by The P.F. Volland Company. Copyright 1929. Hardcover in good condition. Discoloring (mildew) on title page, front and back; otherwise no flaws. 10 full-page color illustrations. Wonderful!
Measures 8.25” x 6.25”.
No one knows how Gabby Gaffer came to Unlucky Village, but they can all tell that he changes people's luck.
May Justus (May 12, 1898 – November 7, 1989) was an American author of numerous children's books, almost all of which were set in Appalachia and reflect the traditional culture of her native East Tennessee. She also worked as a teacher and served for many years as volunteer secretary-treasurer for the Highlander Folk School.
May Justus’s stories revolve around her mountain heritage and upbringing. Such stories as “The House in No-End Hollow” and “Dixie Decides” evoke the same rustic childhood that she experienced in rural Tennessee in the early 1900s.
Justus was born on May 12, 1898, in Del Rio, Tennessee. Her father was a schoolteacher, and the family moved around quite frequently but always stayed close to the Appalachian Mountains that helped shape Justus’s character and writing. “For I feel at home only in the mountains,” she has said in several interviews. She eventually attended The University of Tennessee in Knoxville where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Teaching. Early in her career, she grew fond of writing children’s literature that explored the mountain folklore of her youth.
Her first children’s book—Gabby Gaffer—was published in 1929 when Justus was 30 years old. The book was inspired by her students, who always begged for one of Justus’s beloved stories after they finished their schoolwork. The story is pure whimsy, dealing with a peculiar, yet charming, stranger who makes his way into the mountain community of Unlucky Village, but proves he can change that.
After her first publication, Justus continued to generate works, all while teaching. Her students inspired Justus to write more and more—and she did, dedicating countless stories to them. Justus’s love of children even led her to begin teaching handicapped students in her own home. After her retirement, Justus continued her work with children, operating a story-and-song program from her home and maintaining a children’s library in her attic for 20 years.
Justus won a bevy of awards for her literary achievements, including the Julia Ellsworth Ford Prize for Gabby Gaffer’s New Shoes in 1935, and the Boy’s Club Award in 1950 for Luck for Little Lihu, cementing her place as an adored children’s author. She passed away on November 7, 1989, at the age of 91. Posthumously, her Alma Mater established the May Justus Collection, housing bibliographies of all of her books, anthologies containing her short poems, photographs, manuscripts, sixteen handwritten letters, and other materials concerning her personal history. The establishment hopes to keep the work of Justus alive and thriving, and help it reach and touch as many children as possible—something Justus would surely appreciate.
Hardcover. Condition: Good. No Jacket. Dudley, Carrie (illustrator). 80 page hardcover illustrated children's book. Illustration by Carrie Dudley. Green cloth exterior with title, design and frame rule in gold on front. Corners and spine top and bottom are worn. Color illustrations on endpapers. A title in the Volland Inglenook Series.
Amazon review:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Gentle and lovely stories
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on April 10, 2015
“When I was a very little girl, May Justus' short stories were published in Jack and Jill magazine. I can remember my mother reading them to me. May Justus was a friend of my great-aunt so I did get to read her books and stories. She actually sent my older sister some of her poetry. When I rediscovered Gabby Gaffer I was absolutely delighted. I am getting to share that marvelous little elfin gentleman with my young relatives. The stories in Gabby Gaffer are gentle and sweet while teaching lessons that are much needed in kindness and neighborliness. They might be a little old fashioned with some items that be unfamiliar with some people but that would make for good dialogue with your children while you read to them. I would like very much to see this book be reprinted so many more people could enjoy these precious stories.”
