Kate Seredy (SHER edy) was born November 10, 1899 in Budapest, Hungary. She came to the United States in 1922. She was the owner of a children’s bookstore at first, and then she began to illustrate children’s books and textbooks. An editor at Viking Press suggested she write a book about her childhood, and in 1935 she published The Good Master. Its sequel, The Singing Tree, was published in 1940. Both books are about children growing up in Hungary during World War I. Seredy won the Newbery Medal in 1938 for her book The White Stag ( a sort of mythological story about the Magyars and the Huns), but I enjoyed the two books about Jansci and Kate surviving war times more. I found this quote at one of the quotation websites:
I make money using my brains and lose money listening to my heart. But in the long run my books balance pretty well.
I injoyed reading her book “The White Stag” but I need more in formation on her life for my book project.
My boyfriend grew up and his family still lives in montgomery,ny in kate seredy’s home. I would like any info anyone has about her as her life is of great interest to my boyfiend and I.She was a wonderful writer of children’s books and her stories of youth and innocence capture my imagination as her previous home does.thank you so much.
I am writing because Kate Seredy is a cousin of my mother, Dorothy Sheredy Gallagher. My mom’s family is from Barnesboro, PA (now Northern Cambria). Other Sheredy family members are from Binghamton, NY. I would love to learn more about her- I have about three of her books- first edition and onevsigned by her. I would really love to have an original illustration of hers- I have five children and my twin daughters love to draw and write stories… My extended family (cousins etc.) has a lot of great artists- I would love to learn about where she grew up in Budapest, or her home in the US… Thanks!
My family and I recently purchased Kate’s home in Montgomery, New York. I have two sons and we are all interested in any information that you could share with us about this talented woman. I would be happy to email you pictures of her home.
Hope to hear from you soon.
Kate Seredy’s books: The Good Master, The Singing Tree, The White Stag were treasured books of my childhood in
the 40’s. I so loved her stories and her illustration that
I made sure that my younger cousin received a copy of the Chestry Oak. Thanks much.
Years ago, I did extensive reseach on Kate Seredy and her work. I donated a copy of the material to the Montgomery Free Library in Montgomery, NY. (her home town)
In 1997, Marty Richert published a 31 page booklet about her for the same library. (“Kate Seredy, Montgomery Artist and Author”) There might be some copies available??
I have a dream of turning one of Kate Seredy’s early (now out-of-print) books into a stage play for my students (I am an elementary school principal), and am having a tough time trying to pin down which publisher holds the rights. I would SO love to find some remnant of Kate’s family, or if she has any estate which might be able to give permission for something like this. Any tips or leads would be greatly appreciated.
Chad Carvey
Principal
Wade Thomas Elementary School
San Anselmo, CA.