Such sad news.
Bill Morris has a special place in my memory, too.
A few years ago, as chair-elect of Texas Library Association's Children's
Round Table, I had the pleasure of scheduling authors/illustrators for TLA's
annual conference. Happily, Bill Morris arranged for Jean Craighead George
to come. We had several telephone conversations while making the
arrangements. One July day, while I was at home for summer vacation, Mr.
Morris called. My 12 year old son answered the telephone while continuing a
noisy video game on the computer. Before I picked up a phone in another
room, I shouted "John, please turn the volume down. It sounds like pool
hall in here." When I answered, Bill inquired, "Is this the pool hall?"
Months later, during the conference, we shared that funny memory.
What a delightful man. How fortunate he belonged to the world of Children's
Literature. He will be sorely missed, happily remembered.
Bev Golden, Teacher-Librarian
Huebner Road Elementary
San Antonio, TX
----- Original Message -----
From: "Sharron L. McElmeel" <mcelmeel@MCELMEEL.COM>
To: <LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU>
Sent: Monday, September 29, 2003 10:50 AM
Subject: Bill Morris (corrected version)
> Some of you may have already heard but Roger Sutton of Horn Book
> confirmed this sad news --
> Bill Morris, V.P. at HarperCollins Children's Books and beloved by
> many of us, died this morning (Sunday) at his home after some weeks
> of illness.
>
> Bill Morris was an icon in the world of children's books and
> publicity. I remember several incidents which made me realize why
> Bill was so very much loved -- even by those of us who were not the
> authors he publicized so well.
>
> I first encountered Bill several years ago when he greeted me at the
> door of a HarperCollins reception. He glanced just a second at my
> name tag and said, "That was a very nice article about author
> visits." -- i thanked him but was thinking inside "what is that man
> talking about." Only inside did I realize that the article I had
> written months earlier for a magazine in the industry had finally
> been published - -and somehow he had read it before I even had a
> copy. Not only did he read it he remembered the author and connected
> the two.
>
> Another time I called to inquire if my daughter who would be
> accompanying me to a convention would be welcome to attend a rather
> large reception Harper was having at the convention. Several months
> later the convention (and reception) arrived -- and there was Bill at
> the door greeting me AND acknowledging my daughter (who did not have
> a name tag on) by name.
>
> I have several more stories that attest to his powers of recall and
> his absolute "on top of things" role at the publishing house.
>
> I will always treasure my copy of *Frank and Joey Eat Lunch* by
> Arthur Yorinks and Maurice Sendak -- not because of the
> author/illustrator choose an innovative method of illustrating the
> text with photos superimposed on settings they created -- but because
> Bill Morris is pictured on one of the inner pages with a large sub
> landing on his head -- "'Uh-oh!' said Joey."
>
> Many will echo my humble sentiments -- the field of children's
> literature have truly lost a legend.
>
> Sharron McElmeel
>
>
>
> --
> ====================================================
> Sharron L. McElmeel
> Writer/Webkeeper/Educational Consultant
> McBookwords -- http://www.mcelmeel.com
> ph. (319) 393-2562
> fax (319) 393-4749
> mcelmeel@mcelmeel.com
> 3000 N. Center Point Rd.
> Cedar Rapids, IA 52411-9548
> ====================================================
>
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