Anita M. Feagles, 80 (in March 2008) author of "Casey, the Utterly Impossible Horse" (1960)
Lenona
Anita MacRae Feagles, of Vero Beach, Fla., and Fishers Island, N.Y.,
died on March 14, with her husband, Robert Feagles, at her side.
She was born in Chicago, the only child of Cuyler and Anita MacRae.
She was raised in Chappaqua, N.Y. She received a bachelor's degree
from Knox College in Galesburg, Ill., where she was a member of the Pi
Beta Phi sorority, and an master's in education at City College of New
York. She was a member of the Junior League of Mt. Kisco, N.Y.
Following her marriage to Robert Feagles, an international banker, she
lived for two years in San Juan, Puerto Rico, before they returned to
Chappaqua. She had four children and became a prolific writer,
publishing 20 books, mostly for children. She accompanied her husband
on numerous international trips, and was able to do research in
Mexico, England, Spain and Iceland, which led to books set there.
They lived in London for two years, and later moved to Hartford. They
have also maintained a residence on Fishers Island for over 25 years.
She is survived by her husband and three children, Cuyler, of
Freeport, Maine, Priscilla Hammond, of Lyme, and Patrick, of Vero
Beach. Her oldest daughter, Wendy Harwood, predeceased her. She also
leaves behind seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
In addition to writing, she worked as an ombudsman in the Connecticut
prison system, as instructor in English at Indian River Community
College, and as a Guardian Ad Litem in the Florida 19th District Court
System.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Humane Society of Vero
Beach, PO Box 644, Vero Beach, FL 32961 in memory of Mrs. Feagles.
A memorial service will be held at a future date on Fishers Island.
http://newsgroups.derkeiler.com/Archive/Rec/rec.arts.books.childrens/2007-09/msg00047.html
(my birthday post for her in 2007 - it includes her bibliography)
Excerpts:
As I remember, Casey is a sullen, stubborn, talking horse who wants to
be called Kitty Cat, but the boy he meets suggests "K.C." instead.
"(Casey) cries when he doesn't get his own way. He is utterly
impossible."
" When is a horse impossible? When he walks around in striped pajamas
and a straw hat and glasses. When he wants to go to the drugstore for
ice cream. When he is a horse called Casey!"
(By the end, the children aren't exactly sorry to see Casey leave.)
Amazon reviews:
"This book about a talking horse named Casey was very cute and
whimsical. I won't give much away, but Casey had some great sarcastic
lines and quite an attitude which made him hilarious."
"The story is humorous and sentimental. As a young reader in the early
1960's this was my favorite story. I still have my original copy. I
recommend this story highly because the character traits displayed by
Casey echo the feelings and words expressed by many adolescents."
Feagles is also the author of "The Tooth Fairy" (1962).
"In this much-beloved little classic, we make the acquaintance of one
of the world's hardest-working and least-known celebrities. We find
out all the creative uses the Tooth Fairy has for your teeth, my
teeth, his teeth, and her teeth; we catch a glimpse of her social
life; and at last learn the Tooth Fairy's own best-kept secret!"
And, to my surprise, I remember the 1965 book "27 Cats Next Door."
That one taught me a lot about the problems of pet overpopulation.
"The cat lady, who lives nextdoor, is considered a public nuisance as
well as a strange old woman, but Jim discovers she is only a lonely
person and tries to help her solve the problems of too many pets and
too few friends."
"This is the author's second book in which she has described the
reactions of children to someone who is "different". The children in
the story live next door to a woman who has 27 cats. One day one of
these cats caused an accident and a neighbor signed a petition to get
rid of them. One of the lady's neighbors decides to help her; it is a
very complex problem. However the neighbor does begin to understand
the delicate balance between maintaining one's independence in a
society and assuming responsibility toward one's neighbor. Robert
Shipman's drawings adroitly reflect both the seriousness and humor of
this important story for children."
Lenona.