Howard Roger Garis ( – ) was an American author, best known for a series of books that featured the character of Uncle Wiggily Longears, an engaging elderly rabbit. Many of his books were illustrated by Lansing Campbell. Garis and his wife, Lilian Garis, were possibly the most prolific children's authors of the early 20th century.
Biography Garis was born in Binghamton, New York. He and his spouse Lilian Garis both worked as reporters for the Newark Evening News. He did some work on the side for WNJR also in Newark.
Uncle Wiggily The first Uncle Wiggily story appeared in January 1910 in the Newark News. For 37 years the newspaper published an Uncle Wiggily story by Garis every day except Sunday, and the series was eventually nationally syndicated. By the time Garis retired from the newspaper in 1947, he had written more than 11,000 Uncle Wiggily stories.Bodian, Nat. "Recalling Newark News Writer Howard Garis and His Rabbit" . Old Newark Memories.
In 1916 Milton Bradley began selling the Uncle Wiggily Game. In 1987 Parker Brothers bought the rights to the board game and produced it for many years. As of 2018 Winning Moves was manufacturing the Uncle Wiggily Game.Francis, Judy (June 3, 2018). "Historic Treasure: Uncle Wiggily evolves from books to board game". Tribune-Star (e-paper).
Stratemeyer Syndicate Garis wrote many books for the Stratemeyer Syndicate under various pseudonyms. As Victor Appleton, he wrote about the enterprising Tom Swift; as Laura Lee Hope, he is generally credited with writing volumes 4–28 and 41 of the Bobbsey Twins; as Clarence Young, the Motor Boys series; as Lester Chadwick, the Baseball Joe series; and as Marion Davidson, a number of books including several featuring the Camp Fire Girls. The couple's children also wrote for Stratemeyer.
After Edward Stratemeyer's death in May 1930, his two daughters, Harriet Stratemeyer Adams (1892–1982) and Edna C. Squier (1895–1974), ran the company, with the result that Garis stopped writing for the Syndicate around 1933 after several disagreements.Keeline, James D. "Stratemeyer Syndicate Pseudonyms".
Death Garis moved to Amherst, Massachusetts in 1950, and died there in 1962.
Biographies Garis' son, Roger Garis, penned a biography of the writing Garis family My Father Was Uncle Wiggily (McGraw-Hill, 1966), as well as writing several books under his own name and pseudonyms, including a four-volume series of children's adventures/mysteries for A. L. Burt. His daughter, Cleo F. also wrote a three-volume series of children's mysteries, published by A. L. Burt. His granddaughter, Leslie Garis, wrote a more revealing Garis family memoir, The House of Happy Endings (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2007).
Bibliography Titles written under Garis's name With Force and Arms, J. S. Ogilvie Publishing Company, 1902 The King of Unadilla, J. S. Ogilvie Publishing Company, 1903 The White Crystals, Little, Brown and Company, 1904 Isle of Black Fire, J. B. Lippincott Company, 1904 Tam of the Fire Cave, D. Appleton and Company, 1927 Tuftoo the Clown, D. Appleton and Company, 1928 Chad of Knob Hill, Little, Brown and Company, 1929
Mystery Boys series Written under Howard R. Garis, and published by Bradley Mystery Boys in Ghost Canyon, 1930 Mystery Boys at Round Lake, 1931
The Daddy series (selected) Daddy Takes Us Camping, 1914 Daddy Takes Us Fishing, 1914 Daddy Takes Us to the Circus, 1914 Daddy Takes Us Skating, 1914 Daddy Takes Us Coasting, 1914 Daddy Takes Us to the Farm, 1918 (?) Daddy Takes Us to the Garden, 1914 Daddy Takes Us Hunting Flowers, 1915 Daddy Takes Us Hunting Birds, 1916 Daddy Takes Us to the Woods, 1917
The Baseball Joe Series Written under the pen name Lester Chadwick Baseball Joe of the Silver Stars Baseball Joe on the School Nine Baseball Joe at Yale Baseball Joe in the Central League Baseball Joe in the Big League Baseball Joe on the Giants Baseball Joe in the World Series Baseball Joe Around the World Baseball Joe: Home Run King Baseball Joe Saving the League Baseball Joe Captain of the Team Baseball Joe Champion of the League Baseball Joe Club Owner Baseball Joe Pitching Wizard
Two Wild Cherries series / The Dick and Janet Cherry Series Originally released as Two Wild Cherries; re-released as The Dick and Janet Cherry series; as Howard R. Garis Two Wild Cherries; or, How Dick and Janet Lost Something Two Wild Cherries In The Country; or, How Dick and Janet Saved The Mill Two Wild Cherries At The Seashore; or, How Dick and Janet Were Shipwrecked Two Wild Cherries in the Woods; or, How Dick and Janet Caught the Bear
(This series later released under alternative titles by McLoughlin, and book order changed)
Rick and Ruddy series as Howard R. Garis Rick and Ruddy, 1920 Rick and Ruddy in Camp, 1921 Rick and Ruddy Afloat, 1922 Rick and Ruddy Out West, 1923 Rick and Ruddy on the Trail, 1924
(This series later released under alternative titles by McLoughlin)
Those Smith Boys series as Howard R. Garis
Those Smith Boys, 1910 Those Smith Boys on the Diamond, 1912
The Venture Boys series as Howard R. Garis The Venture Boys Afloat, 1917 The Venture Boys in Camp, 1918
Larry Dexter Series as by Howard R. Garis
From Office Boy to Reporter 1907 Larry Dexter, Reporter, 1907 Larry Dexter's Great Search, 1909 Larry Dexter and the Bank Mystery, 1912 Larry Dexter and the Stolen Boy, 1912 Larry Dexter in Belgium, 1915 Larry Dexter and the Ward Diamonds, 1927 Larry Dexter's Great Chase, 1927
Volumes 1 and 2 initially published by Chatterton-Peck. Volumes 1 through 6 issued by Grosset & Dunlap. Volumes 6 and 7 issued by Garden City Publishing (in paperback only)
Volume 1 through 6 retitled and issued by George Sully as the Young Reporter Series circa 1918. The Young Reporter at the Big Flood The Young Reporter and the Land Swindlers The Young Reporter and the Missing Millionaire The Young Reporter and the Bank Mystery The Young Reporter and the Stolen Boy The Young Reporter at the Battle Front
Three Little Trippertrots series as Howard R. Garis. Published by Graham & Matlack, New York. Compilations of stories originally read over the New Jersey Telephone Herald entertainment service.
Three Little Trippertrots, 1912 Three Little Trippertrots And Their Travels, 1912
Tom Cardiff series as Howard R. Garis
Tom Cardiff's Circus (1926) (reprinted in USSR as Том Кардиф в Цирке) (1930) Tom Cardiff in the Big Top (1927)
Circus Animal stories Published by R. F. Fenno Snarlie the Tiger, 1916 Woo-Uff The Lion, 1917 Umboo the Elephant, 1918
Bed Time series This series of children's books was written by Garis beginning in 1910. Each volume contains 31 stories, one for each day of the month: Sammie and Susie Littletail Johnny and Billy Bushytail Lulu, Alice & Jimmie Wibble-Wobble Jackie and Peetie Bow-Wow Buddy and Brighteyes Pigg Joie, Tommie and Kittie Kat Charlie and Arabella Chick Neddie and Beckie Stubtail Bully and Bawly No-Tail Nannie and Billie Wagtail Jollie and Jillie Longtail Jacko and Jumpo Kinkytail Curly and Floppy Twistytail Toodle and Noodle Flat-Tail Dottie and Willie Flufftail Dickie and Nellie Fliptail Woodie and Waddie Chuck Bobby and Betty Ringtail
The Curlytops series as Howard R. Garis; Published by Cupples & Leon, illustrated by Julia Greene At Cherry Farm; or, Vacation Days in the Country, 1918. On Star Island; or, Camping Out with Grandpa, 1918. Snowed In; or, Grand Fun with Skates and Sleds, 1918. At Uncle Frank's Ranch; or, Little Folks on Ponyback, 1918. Cupples & Leon. At Silver Lake; or, On the Water with Uncle Ben, 1920. And Their Pets; or, Uncle Toby's Strange Collection, 1921. And Their Playmates; or, Jolly Times Through the Holidays, 1922. In the Woods; or, Fun at the Lumber Camp, 1923. At Sunset Beach; or, What Was Found in the Sand, 1924. Touring Around; or, The Missing Photograph Album, 1925. In a Summer Camp; or, Animal Joe's Menagerie, 1927. Growing Up; or, Winter Sports and Summer Pleasures, 1928. At Happy House; or, The Mystery of the Chinese Vase, 1931. At the Circus; or, The Runaway Elephant, 1932.
Buddy series as Howard R. Garis. Cupples & Leon published this series about the adventures of Buddy Martyne with his family and friends: Buddy on the Farm or, a Boy and his Prize Pumpkin, 1929 Buddy in School, or, a Boy and his Dog, 1929 Buddy and his Winter Fun, or, a Boy in a Snow Camp, 1929 Buddy at Rainbow Lake, or, a Boy and his Boat, 1930 Buddy and his Chum, or, a Boy's Queer Search, 1930 Buddy at Pine Beach, or, a Boy on the Ocean, 1931 Buddy and his Flying Balloon, or, a Boy's Mysterious Airship, 1931 Buddy on Mystery Mountain or, a Boy's Strange Discovery, 1932 Buddy on Floating Island or, a Boy's Wonderful Secret, 1933 Buddy and the Secret Cave or, a Boy and the Crystal Hermit, 1934 Buddy and his Cowboy Pal or, a Boy on a Ranch, 1935 Buddy and the Indian Chief or, a Boy among the Navajos, 1936 Buddy and the Arrow Club or, a Boy and the Long Bow, 1937 Buddy at Lost River or, a Boy and a Gold Mine, 1938 Buddy on the Trail or, a Boy Among the Gypsies, 1939 Buddy in Deep Valley or, a Boy on a Bee Farm, 1940 Buddy at Red Gate or, a Boy on a Chicken Farm, 1941 Buddy in Dragon Swamp or, a Boy on a Strange Hunt, 1942, Buddy's Victory Club or, a Boy and a Salvage Campaign, 1943 Buddy and the G-Man Mystery or, a Boy and a Strange Cipher, 1944 Buddy and his Fresh Air Camp or, a Boy and the Unlucky Ones, 1947
Rocket Riders series as Howard R. Garis Rocket Riders Across The Ice or Racing Against Time, 1933 Rocket Riders Over the Desert or, Seeking the Lost City, 1933 Rocket Riders in Stormy Seas or, Trailing the Treasure Divers, 1933 Rocket Riders in The Air or, A Chase in the Clouds, 1934
Teddy series as Howard R. Garis Teddy and The Mystery Monkey, 1936 Teddy and The Mystery Dog, 1936 Teddy and The Mystery Cat, 1937 Teddy and The Mystery Parrot, 1938 Teddy and The Mystery Pony, 1939 Teddy and His Mystery Deer, 1940 Teddy and His Mystery Goat, 1941
Uncle Wiggily series as Howard R. Garis Uncle Wiggily's Adventures Uncle Wiggily's Travels Uncle Wiggily's Fortune Uncle Wiggily's Automobile Uncle Wiggily at the Seashore Uncle Wiggily's Airship Uncle Wiggily in the Country Uncle Wiggily in the Woods Uncle Wiggily on the Farm Uncle Wiggily's Journey Uncle Wiggily and Baby Bunty Uncle Wiggily's Story Book Uncle Wiggily's Picture Book Uncle Wiggily's Puzzle Book Uncle Wiggily on Sugar Island The Uncle Wiggily Book Uncle Wiggily's Bungalow Uncle Wiggily's Picnic Party Uncle Wiggily's Surprises Uncle Wiggily's Happy Days Uncle Wiggily and The Canoe Uncle Wiggily and the Littletails Uncle Wiggily in Wonderland, 1921 Uncle Wiggily and Old Mother Hubbard, 1922
Happy Home series The Happy Home Series is a six-volume series of children's books written by Garis between 1926 and 1927: Adventures of the Galloping Gas Stove Adventures of the Runaway Rocking Chair Adventures of the Traveling Table Adventures of the Sliding Foot Stool Adventures of the Sailing Sofa Adventures of the Prancing Piano
References
External links
Works by Howard R. Garis at Esprios (Free to download titles)