Ilsley, Velma

Velma Elizabeth Ilsley began her career as a fashion illustrator before she started illustrating children's books. The poet, Horace Gregory, persuaded her to rewrite the story that became The Pink Hat (1956), adding another dimension to her work. She divided her work into two eras, the early work, drawn from models, and the later, which sprang from her imagination.

From the description of Kate and the apple tree : production material, 1965. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62439239

Velma Elizabeth Ilsley began her career as a fashion illustrator before she started illustrating children's books. The poet, Horace Gregory, persuaded her to rewrite the story that became The Pink Hat (1956), adding another dimension to her work. She divided her work into two eras, the early work, drawn from models, and the later, whch sprang from her imagination.

From the description of Time for Lissa : production material, 1959. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62439248

From the description of Son for a day : production material, 1980. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62496859

From the description of The pink hat : production material, 1956. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62496858

From the description of Cristy at Skippinghills : production material, 1958. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62496855

From the description of The heart of Camp Whippoorwill : production material, 1960. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62518300

From the description of Mystery at the doll hospital : production material, 1955. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62439241

From the description of Mystery at the Shoals : production material, 1962. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62439244

From the description of The giving gift : production material, 1962. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62439237

From the description of Our new baby's ABC : production material, 1964. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62439246

From the description of Mungo : production material, 1972. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62496856

From the description of Mystery in the Square Tower : production material, 1957. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62496857

From the description of Stars for Cristy : production material, 1956. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62496860

From the description of Mystery of Hurricane Castle : production material, 1964. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62518301

From the description of Papers, 1955-1980. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 63280878

From the description of She and the dubious three : production material, 1974. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62682581

From the description of The cat across the way : production material, 1968. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62682579

From the description of Miss Jellytot's visit : production material, 1955. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62682580

From the description of Brownies -- it's Christmas : production material, 1955. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62375021

From the description of Princess Hynchatti and some other surprises : production material, 1972. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62375024

From the description of She, the adventuress : production material, 1973. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62375025

From the description of A busy day for Chris : production material, 1957. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62375022

From the description of Sing out, Charley! : production material, 1968. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62375026

From the description of What's a cousin? : production material, 1962. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62496861

Velma Ilsley was born in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada in 1918. Her father died two years later, and she and her mother and sister moved several times before settling in Lakewood, New Jersey, where the sisters attended school. Ms. Ilsley studied at Douglass College, the Moore School of Art, Art Students League, and Hunter College. She began her career as a fashion artist in Philadelphia, Miami, and New York, but decided to begin illustrating children's books, and was convinced by Horace Gregory, the poet, to rewrite the story that became The Pink Hat (1956). She reminisced elsewhere that early book illustration was done from models or photographs, just as her fashion illustration had been done. Not until later in her career did she begin to draw from imagination.

Biographical Source: Something About the Author , vol. 12

From the guide to the Velma Ilsley Papers, 1955-1980, (University of Minnesota Libraries Children's Literature Research Collections [clrc])