Lois Lenski was an acclaimed American illustrator and author, particularly known for her children's books. She was born in Springfield, Ohio, in 1893 and developed a passion for reading at a young age. Lenski studied at Ohio State University, where she pursued a teaching degree and took various art courses, eventually becoming the art editor for the university yearbook. However, she never practiced teaching, instead opting to become an art student in New York to prepare for a career in fine arts. It was there that she met and married Arthur Covey, a well-known painter, in 1921.
Lenski's body of work includes 98 books, with several published posthumously. Many of her books are part of series, which can be read in any order. One of her most famous series is the American Regional Series, which she began in 1943. This series was inspired by her winter travels through the southern United States with her husband, where she observed and documented the diverse ways of life. These experiences led her to create the American Regional Series, as she realized there were no books detailing the various lifestyles of children in the United States.
The 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 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.