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The original pages of Mother Goose in Wartime, a book of war-themed versions of traditional nursery rhymes held by the State Historical Society of Missouri, will be digitized by project staff later this year.
The 24 page book was written by George Nardin and illustrated by Columbia, Missouri, artist Gladys Wheat and a group of University of Missouri art students. It was published by the Department of Patriotic Education Woman's Committee National Council of Defense, Missouri Division. In January of 1918, "thousands of this little booklet had been sold" for 10 cents a copy.
Nardin and Wheat’s book showcases the use of visual propaganda in the conservation effort, as well as the major role women and children played in the success of this venture.
Along with conserving food, American children knitted hats and mittens for soldiers, collected fruit pits and walnuts for gas masks, and joined youth organizations such as the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts. Woodrow Wilson called on children involved in youth organizations to help collect money for war bonds and stamps in order to raise money for the war effort. Additionally, curriculum in schools was altered to target the patriotic development of children.
Gladys Wheat was born June 29, 1889, in Lee’s Summit, a town outside of Kansas City, Missouri. In 1917, she became the first female faculty member of the University of Missouri's Fine Art department. She is best known for her prints depicting scenes around the University of Missouri’s campus. Both a student and a teacher at the University, she lived in Columbia, Missouri, until her death in 1976.
The pages are currently on exhibit near the east entrance of the State Historical Society of Missouri - Columbia. The exhibit, entitled Mother Goose in Wartime: An Illustrated Call for Conservation on the Home Front during WWI will be on display throughout summer 2014.
Sources:
Kennedy, David. (2004) Over Here: The First World War and American Society. Oxford University Press.
McDermott, T.P. (2000) "USA's Boy Scouts and World War I." Sossi Journal. Retreived from: http://www.sossi.org/journal/scouts-ww1-liberty-bonds.pdf
Nardin, George; Wheat, Gladys. (1918) Mother Goose in War Time. Department of Patriotic Education, Woman's Committee, National Council of Defence, Missouri Division. Jefferson City, MO.
The Missouri School Journal. January 1918. Volume 35 (1).
Nardin, George; Wheat, Gladys. (1918) Mother Goose in War Time. Department of Patriotic Education, Woman's Committee, National Council of Defence, Missouri Division. Jefferson City, MO.
The Missouri School Journal. January 1918. Volume 35 (1).
