Did you know that Margaret Wise Brown, author of the beloved children’s stories Goodnight Moon and Runaway Bunny, also wrote for adults?

He and She is a new collection of love poems by Margaret Wise Brown. 

These touching and, at times, fraught poems provide a deeply personal look into the life of this best-selling author of children’s works and pioneer in children’s literature. 

Her great loves included William Gaston, a prominent New York attorney who was frequently described as a “serial philanderer,” and Michael Strange (born Blanche Oelrichs), the former wife of actor John Barrymore. Some of the poems give a glimpse into the challenges Margaret and Michael faced as a same-sex couple. 

Other poems are written for James “Pebble” Rockefeller, Margaret’s fiance at the time of her death. Pebble was her match in spirit and in zest for life. Before sailing to France for meetings with stage and movie producers, Margaret watched him set sail to circumnavigate the world. They had plans to meet in St. Thomas to be married. Tragically, Margaret died in France before she was able to marry Pebble. 

Margaret’s often tumultuous relationships pushed her further into her writing and today, we can feel these moments of both intense love and sheer heartbreak through these poems. He and She is available through all ebook sellers.