Cynthia Rylant papers

Finding Aid

Prepared by Jennifer P. Crouch, July 18, 1995; Revised and updated by Christine Borne, February, 2002; Updated April, 2005. Last Updated: September 2020

Inclusive Dates: 1950s-1995
Extent: 5 cubic feet (3 record storage boxes, 4 document cases and 1 oversize box)
Physical Location: 11th floor

Biographical Note: Cynthia Rylant was born in 1954 and grew up in West Virginia, a region she often revisits in her work. After graduating from college with a degree in English, she took a job in the children's room of her local public library. Soon afterward, she fell in love with children's books and sat down to write her own: When I Was Young in the Mountains was accepted for publication within three months. She went on to earn her M.L.S. from the Kent State University School of Library Science and lived in Kent, Ohio for many years. As an honorary Ohioan, she won the 1993 Ohioana Award for Children's Literature (even though she had recently moved to Eugene, Oregon, where she still lives).

Among her acclaimed books are her first, When I Was Young in the Mountains, a Caldecott Honor Book and an ALA Notable Book; A Fine White Dust, a Newbery Honor Book, an ALA Notable Book, and a Best Book for Young Adults; The Relatives Came, a Caldecott Honor Book and an ALA Notable Book; and Missing May, the 1993 Newbery Medal winner and a Boston Globe/Horn Book Award winner. With the appearance of Dog Heaven in late 1995, Rylant added illustrating to her resume.

Scope and Content: Various forms of Rylant's manuscripts constitute the bulk of this collection, spanning the years 1987-1995. It also contains various correspondence, including many congratulatory notes regarding Missing May, letters from school children, and an interesting written dialogue between a TV movie producer seeking the rights to Missing May and a reluctant Rylant. Also included in the collection are speeches from 1992, 1993, and 1995, numerous photographs, publicity pamphlets and other biographical material, the program from the 1993 Newbery-Caldecott Awards Banquet, and three original illustrations from the Everyday books. Rylant also gave the University nine video adaptations of her books, one filmstrip, and two audiocassettes. The bulk of this collection dates from the late 1980s-mid 1990s, with a handful of items from the author's childhood in the 1950s and 1960s.

Arrangement: A note about dates: it is difficult or impossible to tell when the author drafted each phase of her works. Unless specifically dated otherwise by the author, all preliminary, first, second, and other drafts have been approximated to the date of publication. Thus, in some cases, it may appear that the final phase of a work was completed before the first. All manuscripts are arranged in the collection by date of publication. It is also important to note that since the contents of the collection reflect several batches of material sent by the author, not all similar materials are grouped together (for example, there is a set of correspondence in Box 1, as well as in Box 3). For this reason, the reader is encouraged to scroll down through the entire inventory. The reader is also advised that the earliest part of the manuscripts portion of the collection -- dating from the early and mid-1980s -- appears at the end of this inventory, in Boxes 6-8.

Related Materials: There are also a substantial number of inscribed Cynthia Rylant books available for viewing in the Department of Special Collections and Archives. These books are cataloged in KentLINK.

Provenance: Cynthia Rylant sent the materials in this collection to the Department of Special Collections and Archives when she first established herself as an author.

Restrictions: All materials are available for research, but copyright is retained by the author.

Box 1
Folder -- Contents

1. Correspondence -- 1987
2. Correspondence -- 1988
3. Correspondence -- 1989
4. Correspondence -- 1990
5. Correspondence -- 1991
6. Correspondence -- 1992
7. Correspondence -- 1993
8. Correspondence -- 1994
9. Correspondence -- 1995
10. Correspondence -- undated
11. Essays -- undated
12. Exhibit -- Department of Special Collections and Archives, 1993
13. Photographs -- various subjects, various dates
14. Programs -- Newbery-Caldecott Awards Banquet, 1993
15. Publicity -- various dates
16. Speeches -- 1992
17. Speeches -- 1993
18. Speeches -- 1994

Box 2
Folder -- Contents

1. Manuscripts -- A Kindness, corrected typescript, 1988
2. Manuscripts -- A Kindness, galleys, 1988
3. Manuscripts -- Mr. Griggs' Work, handwritten ms., 1989
4. Manuscripts -- Mr. Griggs' Work, galleys, 1989
5. Manuscripts -- Henry and Mudge and the Forever Sea, galleys, 1989
6. Manuscripts -- Henry and Mudge and the Forever Sea, copyedited page proofs, 1989
7. Manuscripts -- But I'll Be Back Again, handwritten ms., 1989
8. Manuscripts -- But I'll Be Back Again, typescript 1, 1989
9. Manuscripts -- But I'll Be Back Again, typescript 2, 1989
10. Manuscripts -- But I'll Be Back Again, typescript 3, 1989
11. Manuscripts -- But I'll Be Back Again, copyedited page proofs, 1989
12. Manuscripts -- But I'll Be Back Again, galleys, 1989
13. Manuscripts -- Soda Jerk, typescript, 1990
14. Manuscripts -- Soda Jerk, galleys, 1990
15. Manuscripts -- Missing May, notes, [1992]
16. Manuscripts -- The Dreamer, handwritten ms., 1993
17. Manuscripts -- The Dreamer, galleys, 1993
18. Manuscripts -- I Had Seen Castles, notes, 1993
19. Manuscripts -- I Had Seen Castles, handwritten ms., 1993
20. Manuscripts -- I Had Seen Castles, typescript, 1993
21. Manuscripts -- I Had Seen Castles, final typescript, 1993
22. Manuscripts -- Everyday Children, 1993
23. Manuscripts -- Everyday Garden, 1993
24. Manuscripts -- Everyday House, 1993
25. Manuscripts -- Everyday Pets, 1993
26. Manuscripts -- Everyday Town, 1993
27. Manuscripts -- Mr. Putter and Tabby Bake the Cake, handwritten ms. and typescript, 1994
28. Manuscripts -- Mr. Putter and Tabby Bake the Cake, galleys, 1994
29. Manuscripts -- Mr. Putter and Tabby Pour the Tea, handwritten ms. and typescript, 1994
30. Manuscripts -- Mr. Putter and Tabby Pour the Tea, layout, 1994
31. Manuscripts -- Mr. Putter and Tabby Walk the Dog, handwritten ms., 1994
32. Manuscripts -- Something Permanent, handwritten ms., 1994
33. Manuscripts -- Something Permanent, typescript, 1994
34. Manuscripts -- Something Permanent, photographs by Walker Evans, undated
35. Manuscripts -- The Van Gogh Cafe, typescript 1, 1995
36. Manuscripts -- The Van Gogh Cafe, typescript 2, 1995
37. Manuscripts -- The Van Gogh Cafe, typescript 3, 1995
38. Manuscripts -- The Van Gogh Cafe, uncorrected proofs, 1995
39. Manuscripts -- Henry and Mudge and the Best Day of All, handwritten ms. and typescript, 1995
40. Manuscripts -- Henry and Mudge and the Careful Cousin, typescript, 1995
41. Manuscripts -- Gooseberry Park, handwritten drafts and revised typescript, 1995
42. Manuscripts -- Gooseberry Park, final typescript, 1995
43. Manuscripts -- Gooseberry Park, page proofs, 1995
44. Manuscripts -- Gooseberry Park, galleys, 1995
45. Manuscripts -- Dog Heaven, handwritten ms., 1995
46. Manuscripts -- Dog Heaven, typescript, 1995
47. Manuscripts -- Dog Heaven, galleys, 1995
48. Manuscripts -- Dog Heaven, galleys, 1995
49. Manuscripts -- Mr. Putter and Tabby Pick the Pears, first layout, 1995
50. Manuscripts -- Mr. Putter and Tabby Pick the Pears, final layout, 1995
51. Manuscripts -- Henry and Mudge, miscellaneous, undated

Box 3
Folder -- Contents

1. Biographical -- from Something About the Author, v.50, [1988]
2. Correspondence -- letter from Rylant's father, [ca. 1950s-early 1960s]
3. Correspondence -- from Ethel Kennedy, 1968
4. Correspondence -- letters from Miss Sierra's reading class, 1991
5. Interviews -- from Horn Book, 1987
6. Memorabilia -- Beatles bubblegum cards (mentioned in But I'll Be Back Again), 1960s
7. Manuscripts -- The Relatives Came, galley proofs and illustration, 1985
8. Manuscripts -- All I See, 3 drafts including correspondence, 1987-88
9. Manuscripts -- A Kindness, handwritten outline and chapter 11, [1988]
10. Manuscripts -- A Kindness, handwritten first drafts, [1988]
11. Manuscripts -- A Kindness, 1st typed draft, [1988]
12. Manuscripts -- A Kindness, 1st draft, original, typed, [1988]
13. Manuscripts -- A Kindness, 1st typed draft with letter and editor's comments, 1987
14. Manuscripts -- A Kindness, 1st typed draft with copyediting marks, [1988]
15. Manuscripts -- A Kindness, handwritten 2nd draft, [1988]
16. Manuscripts -- A Kindness, 2nd typed draft + notes + [editor's] remarks, [1988]
17. Manuscripts -- A Kindness, final typed ms., [1988]
18. Manuscripts -- A Kindness, repro dupe, [1988]
19. Manuscripts -- Henry and Mudge and the Forever Sea, handwritten draft, [1989]
20. Manuscripts -- Henry and Mudge and the Happy Cat, handwritten draft, [1989]
21. Manuscripts -- Henry and Mudge and the Happy Cat, typed draft, 1989
22. Manuscripts -- Henry and Mudge and the Happy Cat, typed draft and copyright page, 1989
23. Manuscripts -- Henry and Mudge get the Cold Shivers, handwritten draft, [1989]
24. Manuscripts -- A Couple of Kooks, handwritten 1st drafts, + letter from editor, [1990]
25. Manuscripts -- A Couple of Kooks, typed draft with copyediting marks, [1990]
26. Manuscripts -- A Couple of Kooks, typed drafts with notes from author, [1990]
27. Manuscripts -- Soda Jerk, handwritten 1st draft, [1990]
28. Manuscripts -- Soda Jerk, copyedited typed draft, [1990]
29. Manuscripts -- Appalachia, handwritten 1st draft, [1991]
30. Manuscripts -- Appalachia, galleys, 1991
31. Manuscripts -- Henry and Mudge and the Bedtime Thumps, handwritten draft, [1991]
32. Manuscripts -- Henry and Mudge and the Bedtime Thumps, galley proofs, 1989
33. Manuscripts -- Henry and Mudge take the Big Test, handwritten draft, [1991]
34. Manuscripts -- An Angel for Solomon Singer, handwritten and typed drafts, [1992]
35. Manuscripts -- Henry and Mudge and the Long Weekend, handwritten draft, [1992]
36. Manuscripts -- Henry and Mudge and the Wild Wind, handwritten draft, [1992]
37. Manuscripts -- Missing May, handwritten on legal pad, [1992]
38. Manuscripts -- Missing May, 1st typed draft, [1992]
39. Manuscripts -- Missing May, typed final draft + editor's remarks, [1992]
40. Manuscripts -- Missing May, galleys, 1992
41. Newspaper Clippings -- Rylant, [1961]
42. Photographs -- Rylant, Christmas 1957
43. Photographs -- Rylant & mother, with snake, 1959
44. Photographs -- Robert Kennedy, [1960]
45. Photographs -- "The Virginia Relatives," 1962
46. Photographs -- from But I'll Be Back Again (biography), Rylant and various subjects, [ca. 1950s-1990s]
47. Photographs -- Cool Ridge, WV, undated
48. Photographs -- "The Real Mudge," undated
49. Photographs -- Rylant and dog, undated
50. Photographs -- Rylant's great grandfather, undated
51. Publications -- Detskaya Literatura, Soviet journal featuring When I Was Young in the Mountains, 1991
52. Publications -- Ohioana Quarterly, includes award acceptance speech by Rylant, 1994
53. Slides -- 1 image from The Relatives Came, 1985

Box 4 -- Audiovisual
Folder -- Contents

1. Audiocassettes -- A Fine White Dust, 1988
2. Audiocassettes -- A Fine White Dust, 1988
3. Filmstrips -- A Fine White Dust, 1988
4. Videos -- All I See, 1988
5. Videos -- A Fine White Dust, 1989
6. Videos -- Henry and Mudge in the Green Time, 1989
7. Videos -- Henry and Mudge in Puddle Trouble, 1989
8. Videos -- Henry and Mudge in the Sparkle Days, 1989
9. Videos -- Henry and Mudge Under the Yellow Moon, 1989
10. Videos -- The Relatives Came, 1988
11. Videos -- The Relatives Came, 1988
12. Videos -- When I Was Young in the Mountains, 1986
13. Videos -- Meet the Newbery Author: Cynthia Rylant, 1990

Box 5 -- Oversized Items
Folder -- Contents

1. Illustrations -- Everyday Books, [1993]
2. Illustrations -- Everyday Garden, [1993]
3. Illustrations -- Everyday Pets, [1993]
4. Promotional -- The Relatives Came, from Publishers' Weekly, 1985

Box 6
Folder -- Contents

1. Biographical sketch, [1985]
2. Correspondence -- from Steven Kellogg, 1979
3. Correspondence -- Dutton, 1979-81
4. Correspondence -- Bradbury Press, 1981
5. Correspondence -- from James Ayars, 1983
6. Events and publicity -- various dates
7. Newspaper clippings -- 1982
8. Newspaper clippings -- 1983
9. Newspaper clippings -- 1984
10. Newspaper clippings -- 1985
11. Newspaper clippings -- 1986
12. Newspaper clippings -- 1987
13. Newspaper clippings -- 1989
14. Newspaper clippings -- 1990
15. Newspaper clippings -- 1993
16. Newspaper clippings -- undated
17. Manuscripts -- When I Was Young in the Mountains, drafts, correspondence, and illustrations, 1979-83
18. Manuscripts -- Waiting to Waltz, drafts, correspondence, and galleys, 1983-84
19. Manuscripts -- This Year's Garden, drafts, correspondence, and galleys, 1983
20. Manuscripts -- A Blue Eyed Daisy, drafts, correspondence, and illustrations, 1983-84
21. Manuscripts -- A Blue Eyed Daisy, drafts, uncorrected proofs, and galleys, 1984

Box 7
Folder -- Contents

1. Manuscripts -- Night in the Country, drafts and correspondence, 1984
2. Manuscripts -- Some Year for Ellie, (UK edition of A Blue Eyed Daisy), correspondence, 1985
3. Manuscripts -- Every Living Thing, first draft and correspondence, 1985
4. Manuscripts -- Every Living Thing, drafts and book jacket, [1985]

Box 8
Folder -- Contents

1. Manuscripts -- A Fine White Dust, working notes, 1986
2. Manuscripts -- A Fine White Dust, handwritten draft, [1986]
3. Manuscripts -- A Fine White Dust, drafts, 1986
4. Manuscripts -- A Fine White Dust, corrected draft, 1986
5. Manuscripts -- A Fine White Dust, corrected draft, 1986
6. Manuscripts -- A Fine White Dust, page proofs, 1986
7. Manuscripts -- A Fine White Dust, galley proofs, 1986
8. Speeches -- "Tear to Valentines: The Real Worth of a Book," 1984