de Grummond Children's Literature Collection

04/28/2026

Special Collections Item of the Month: de Grummond’s Gentle Giant, “Big George”

In 1966, Lena de Grummond began corresponding with H.A. and Margret Rey, who promised to contribute materials to the collection—including a sketch of Curious George headed toward Hattiesburg. In 1990, Margret Rey fulfilled that promise, donating materials from 23 titles, including Curious George. The acquisition inspired a local librarian to gift a five-foot-tall Curious George stuffed animal, “Big George,” who remains a beloved part of the de Grummond Collection.

Over the years, Big George has visited schools and libraries and even appeared on local news. As he has aged and become more fragile, he travels less frequently. Today, he primarily resides in the de Grummond Manuscript Room but still makes occasional appearances at special events and can be brought out for group visits in Special Collections.

04/13/2026

Meet the 2026 Giverny Book Award winner!

The Bison and the Butterfly, written by Alice Hemming and illustrated by Nicola Slater, was honored last week at the Fay B. Kaigler Children’s Book Festival.

Young readers will connect with this story of friendship while learning about Bison’s impact on the woodland ecosystem. Bright illustrations, fun sound words, and extra facts make it both engaging and educational.

Join us in congratulating the author and illustrator on this incredible achievement!

04/08/2026

Step into childhood imagination with "Growing Up with Ezra Keats" celebrating the life, art, and lasting impact of children’s author and illustrator Ezra Jack Keats.

Best known for creating beloved stories that center curiosity, creativity, and representation, Keats helped redefine children’s literature for generations of readers. Explore original materials, illustrations, and insights into the experiences that shaped his storytelling legacy.

The exhibit is available from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Friday on the second floor in McCain Library and Archives.

04/06/2026

University Libraries wants to hear from you!

Take a few minutes to complete our Spring User Survey and help us continue improving services, spaces, and resources for the campus community. Your feedback plays an important role in shaping a library experience that supports student success, teaching, learning, and research.

The survey will be open through May 2. We appreciate your time and input!

Access the survey here: https://bit.ly/4ebywnE

04/02/2026

Voting for the Fabled Four is open!
🏅 Toni Morrison vs. Will Hillenbrand
🏅 Jacqueline Woodson vs. Mark Twain
Who will win Battle of the Books?

03/23/2026

In 2022, longtime friend and supporter of de Grummond, Eric Schonblom hand-delivered his complete collection of books and manuscripts by Constance Savery, a British children’s author. Recently processed by Ashlynn Steiner, assistant curator of the de Grummond Collection, the newly available materials offer a deeper look into Savery’s life and literary career.

Spanning nearly a century, the Savery materials begin with a childhood notebook from 1904—when she was just seven—and continue through 1999. Together, the manuscripts, notebooks, and letters reveal the evolution of a writer’s life. The materials include books, short stories, poems, and correspondence that illuminate Savery’s creative life and literary legacy.

To read more about the collection and Steiner's work, click: https://www.degrummond.org/post/the-constance-savery-collection-preserving-a-literary-life

03/17/2026

Jump Ball for Literature: Will Hillenbrand Faces R.L. Stine!

Ladies and gentlemen, it’s a classic underdog story—David versus Goliath! Author Will Hillenbrand is stepping onto the big stage, and he needs your support. This isn’t just about a contest—it’s about celebrating great books and the people who create them.

Let’s rally behind Will as he faces off against R. L. Stine in the opening round. Every big run starts with that first win—so let’s help him move forward, one vote at a time.

📚How to Participate in Battle of the Books
Fill out your book bracket with your choices of Ohio authors! There are two ways to fill out a bracket. Submit your bracket by March 18, 11:59 p.m. EST.

Add your picks to the book bracket PDF. https://bit.ly/4rHKFUL
Don't forget to save the file! Or, print, fill out, and scan the book bracket PDF.

📚Vote for Your Favorite Books!
Starting March 19, 2026, the Library will host polls on Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library page where you can determine which authors move on from the Storied Sixteen all the way to winning the Championship Chapter.

📚Make sure you comment on the Battle of the Books social media posts! Show support for your favorite authors by voting in every round:
Storied Sixteen: Voting starts March 19-26, 2026
Exposition Eight: Voting starts March 28-31, 2026
Fabled Four: Voting starts April 2-3, 2026
Championship Chapter: Voting is on April 6, 2026

03/12/2026

The de Grummond Children’s Literature Collection, home to the papers of Curious George creators H. A. Rey and Margret Rey, welcomed members of the Rey family to Hattiesburg for a special first visit to see the Rey Collection. Their reunion was celebrated with exhibitions, story time, a new musical and countless memories made, bringing together family, scholars, and fans to honor the enduring legacy of the beloved character Curious George.

Over the course of just a few days in October 2025, the de Grummond Children's Literature Collection at Southern Miss welcomed more than 20 guests from all o...

03/05/2026

Curious George on the Antiques Roadshow? Now that’s a curious appraisal.

Chris Olney’s father, Austin Olney, served as H.A. Rey’s editor at Houghton Mifflin for the Curious George books. On Antiques Roadshow, Chris shared stories about “Rey,” who he said was like an uncle growing up.

On the back of the illustration, H.A. Rey wrote: “Christopher: This is the original drawing for the end page of the first Curious George book… Ancient history, isn’t it?” The Antiques Roadshow appraiser said the piece has everything a collector could want—Rey’s first book, the final page, signed, with known provenance and a personal connection.

To watch the Curious George segment, fast forward to the 22:11 mark.

Premiered Mon, Feb 16, 2026 — See a bounty of Boothbay b***y from ROADSHOW’s first-ever visit to the state of Maine.

02/24/2026

The north entrance to McCain Library and Archives is currently closed due to construction on the courtyard between Cook and McCain Libraries. Visitors can enter the building using the south entrance during this time. The project is expected to be completed in May.

Visitors who require accessible entry are asked to call the Reading Room at (601) 266-4345 for assistance.

The closure is due to a project between Cook Library, Centennial Green, and McCain Library to create a new outdoor gathering space with seating, green space, and room to study, relax, and hang out on campus. Once complete, the plaza will offer a safer, more welcoming space for students and the campus community. Thanks for your patience as we work to improve campus life!