Comments on: Fusenews: The true ultra-violet catastrophe

By: Tanya DiMaggio

Tanya DiMaggio — Mon, 17 Sep 2012 00:26:27 +0000

I only just found out about our loss of Margaret Mahy. I thought I was the only person in the US who remembered Ultraviolet Catastrophe! I indeed loved that book as a child and always remembered it. It was part of my Parents Magazine book subscription. I hope that book and the Changeover come back in print.

By: Connie Rockman

Connie Rockman — Wed, 01 Aug 2012 12:11:51 +0000

Margaret Mahy was, indeed, just as quirky and wonderful in person as you might imagine. I was fortunate to meet her several times when she visited the States, and – wonder of wonders – actually stayed at her home in New Zealand 18 years ago. I wrote to tell her I would be there, hoping perhaps we could have lunch, and she insisted on putting me up in a cottage on her property. For two lovely days we visited, ate together, walked the peninsula, and explored Christchurch’s flea market. Her house was the house in Catalogue of the Universe (and she, I suspect, was the mother in that story). Generous, warm-hearted, brilliant, and sort of Monty-Pythonish, she was truly an original. She wrote a vibrant autobiographical sketch for the Ninth Book of Junior Authors and Illustrators which is well worth revisiting for a recap of her remarkable life.

And, yes, I too would be a much happier person if Trina still walked among us.

By: Elizabeth Bird

Elizabeth Bird — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 13:17:45 +0000

You are most certainly welcome, though I think I would be a happier person if I lived in the belief that Trina Schart Hyman was still alive. *sigh*

By: MIM

MIM — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 10:24:52 +0000

I want to thank you for posting about her passing. So many of the children’s authors and illustrators I love died without my knowing it because mainstream media, in my area at least, didn’t mention their deaths or stuck the news somewhere in a back corner (unless the author was huge enough for the mainstream to notice, such as Maurice Sendak). Until a year ago I hadn’t known that Trina Schart Hyman, Robert Cormier and Virginia Hamilton are gone. Thank goodness I discovered the kidlitosphere on the Internet!

By: MIM

MIM — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 10:20:08 +0000

Oh no! I hadn’t heard she’s gone till now! I absolutely love “The Changeover.” It’s terrible that it’s not in print, no book that good should be out of print! Many’s the time I’ve recommended that book to young readers who were weary of the current crop of supernatural YA and I had no idea they couldn’t get a copy. I bought Mahy’s books in hardcover as soon as they came out. I hope some publisher has the vision to put out new editions of all her out of print books.

By: Even in Australia

Even in Australia — Thu, 26 Jul 2012 23:53:25 +0000

Oh, and I’m embarrassed to admit we own and love Bubble Trouble, which I didn’t realize til today was written by her!

By: Even in Australia

Even in Australia — Thu, 26 Jul 2012 23:52:15 +0000

Thanks. I’m not familiar with Mahy at all but she was recommended to me recently and now with all the articles since her death I am intrigued. I’m starting with what IS available and will go from there.

By: Elizabeth Bird

Elizabeth Bird — Thu, 26 Jul 2012 17:00:57 +0000

All of the above, I’m afraid. Though her newer books remain in print, older books (like aforementioned Witch Baby) elude us. If there’s something in particular you’d like you can always let me know and I’ll check up on it, of course.

By: Even in Australia

Even in Australia — Thu, 26 Jul 2012 15:41:21 +0000

I see that a lot of Mahy’s books are not available for borrowing at the NYPL. Is that because, if they are not currently in print, the old copies are in poor condition, or another reason? Thanks.

By: leda

leda — Thu, 26 Jul 2012 12:39:28 +0000

I am one of the fortunate people who got to be in that room when Margaret Mahy visited the NYPL. She gave a terrific speech, which I unfortunately don’t remember much of, and was her very entertaining self. Brilliant writer, wonderful woman.