About the author
Adèle de Leeuw (1899–1988) was born in Hamilton, Ohio. She was a prolific writer who produced more than 75 children’s books; some in collaboration with her younger sister, Cateau de Leeuw. As children, the sisters produced magazines they both wrote and illustrated. Adèle’s literary career started after she conducted storytelling sessions for children whilst she was working as a librarian. She wrote books about historical figures, such as the airwoman Amelia Earhart, and the nurse, Edith Cavell. As far as I am aware, she wrote a single horse book, Blue Ribbons for Meg.
Finding the book
The book is easy to find in the USA. It was not published in the UK.
Links and sources
Adèle de Leeuw’s obituary, New York Times
The De Grummond collection holds some de Leeuw papers
Many thanks to Lisa Catz the photograph and summary.
Bibliography (horse books only)
Blue Ribbons for Meg
Little Brown, Boston, 1950, 145 pp, illus Mac Schweitzer
Reprinted 1951
Meg goes to live with her cousins on an Army cavalry post on the Dakota plains while her parents are out of the country. She is afraid of horses, and terrified of Indians, but there are plenty of both around the post. When her uncle wants her to have a pony of her own, Meg chooses a half-starved little pinto which she names Papoose. With the gentle pony, Meg gradually learns to take part in the fun with the other children of the post.
