Other topics were heroines in girls' fiction, sharing of anecdotes by people who met Lovelace or other book characters, an artist's perspective on the series' illustrators, how local history figures in the ``BetsyTacy'' books, and academic discussions of Minnesota women writers and Lovelace's Minnesota novels for adults. The diverse selection includes a discussion of book characters and their real-life counterparts, a slide travelogue (with current travel information) about the European cities Lovelace visited shortly before World War I and strategies for collectors of out-ofprint books. To request a program packet, call Lona Falenczykowski in Mankato at 507345-8103 for details.Ĭonvention activities include 12 seminars scheduled in four sessions on Saturday morning. Hosted by the 300-member Betsy-Tacy Society, convention activities are open to the public through advance registration. Lovelace's river valley of Mankato is the site of a national nostalgia convention, Friday through Sunday, July 10-12 commemorating the author's centennial birthday. The stories of an imaginative heroine in a turn-of-the-century Midwestern town have been read ever since by children from 6 to 60. Seeing her daughter's interest in the tales, Lovelace wrote a book about her childhood in ``Deep Valley,'' calling herself ``Betsy'' and her best friend ``Tacy.'' The success of the first book led to nine more ``Betsy-Tacy'' books. When Lovelace told stories about her youth to her daughter Merian, she spoke of a happy childhood that, nevertheless, was touched by sibling rivalry, jealousy, death and a questioning of identity and purpose in life.

A poet at age 10, a published writer at 18, the author of 24 books, Lovelace is best remembered for her ``Betsy-Tacy'' series of children's books based on her turn-of-thecentury childhood in Mankato.įor a short trip to this simpler era, you can unwind with the sights and activities in Lovelace's ``Deep Valley,'' about 80 miles west of Rochester on U.S. ``I remember following my mother around as a tyke, asking her how to spell `going down the street.' I was writing a story already.''Īnd write she did. By Carlienne Frisch For the Post-Bulletin MANKATO - ``I cannot remember back to a year when I did not consider myself a writer,'' Maud Hart Lovelace said in 1974. Maud Hart Lovelace began writing as a child and was a published author by 18. CUTLINE: ``Tib'' (Midge Gerlach), at left, ``Betsy'' (Maud Hart) and ``Tacy'' (Bicky Kenney) were best friends in school and beyond. Her river valley of Mankato is the site of a national nostalgia convention, July 10-12, commemorating the author's centennial birthday and hosted by the 300-member Betsy-Tacy Society. The young Maud Hart began writing stories in this Mankato home.

Maud hart lovelace society