Claire Huchet Bishop
Claire Huchet Bishop was a notable twentieth-century author and storyteller, originally from Switzerland and raised in Le Havre, France. Her early literary engagement began as a teenager with La Nouvelle Revue française, and she furthered her education at the Sorbonne. In the 1920s, she played a key role in establishing L'Heure Joyeuse, Paris's first children's library, which was inspired by American lending library practices. After marrying American pianist Frank Bishop, she moved to New York, where she served as a storyteller for the New York Public Library from 1932 to 1936.
Bishop's literary career began with her first published work, "The Five Chinese Brothers," a folktale that highlights unique abilities. Many of her subsequent books addressed the social realities of the World Wars, offering insights into themes such as food shortages and Christian-Jewish relations. Her narratives often reflect common childhood challenges, encouraging thoughtful decision-making among young readers. An advocate against anti-Semitism, she led several important organizations, including the Jewish-Christian Fellowship of France. Bishop received several accolades for her work, including the Newbery Honor Award for "Pancakes-Paris" and "All Alone." She passed away in 1993, leaving behind a legacy of literary contributions and advocacy.
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Claire Huchet Bishop
- Born: 1899
- Birthplace: Switzerland
- Died: March 11, 1993
- Place of death: Paris, France
Biography
Claire Huchet Bishop was a twentieth century author and storyteller born in Switzerland. She was raised in the French city of Le Havre among a family of gifted storytellers. As a teenager, Bishop served on the staff of La Nouvelle Revue française. When she grew older, she studied at the Sorbonne. In the early 1920’s, Bishop became involved with the opening of the first children’s library in Paris, L’Heure Joyeuse, which was devoted entirely to children’s literature, and modeled on techniques of American lending libraries.
She married an American pianist, Frank Bishop, and moved to New York. Between the years 1932 and 1936, Bishop worked as a stor teller for the New York Public Library. The Five Chinese Brothers, a folktale about five brothers, each with a unique gift, was Bishop’s first published work. Many of her later books are more realistic and tell of experiences during the World Wars, such as food shortages and Christian-Jewish relations. Her stories are noted for the manner in which they represent everyday problems children face when growing up, such as making good decisions.
Bishop was also a public speaker, author, children’s book editor for Commonweal, and a contributor to the Saturday Review. As a leading denouncer of anti-Semitism, Bishop served as the president of both the Jewish-Christian Fellowship of France, from 1968 to 1981, and the International Council of Christians and Jews, from 1975 to 1977.
Two of Bishop’s most noted works, Pancakes-Paris and All Alone, received the Newbery Honor Award in 1948 and 1954. In 1959, her book The Five Chinese Brothers won a Lewis Carroll Shelf Award. Claire Huchet Bishop died in 1993.