Howard R. Garis


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 January 10, 1910, in the Newark News. For almost four decades 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 15,000 Uncle Wiggily stories.
By virtue of his accessible characters and engaging plots, Garis was one of the most influential children's authors of his day. Many of his books, especially the Uncle Wiggily books, are still widely read and are readily available over the internet. Milton Bradley produced an Uncle Wiggily board game in 1916, 1947, 1954, again in 1967, and again in 1988. The game debuted much earlier though and remained popular until the 1970s.

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 and Edna C. Squier, ran the company, with the result that Garis stopped writing for the Syndicate in 1933 after several disagreements.

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, 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.

Titles written under Garis's name

Written under Howard R. Garis, and published by Bradley
  1. Mystery Boys in Ghost Canyon, 1930
  2. Mystery Boys at Round Lake, 1931
Written under the pen name Van Powell, and first published by A. L. Burt
  1. The Mystery Boys and the Inca Gold, 1931
  2. The Mystery Boys and Captain Kidd's Message, 1931
  3. The Mystery Boys and the Secret of the Golden Sun, 1931
  4. The Mystery Boys and the Chinese Jewels, 1931
  5. The Mystery Boys and the Hindu Treasure, 1931

    The Daddy series (selected)

  6. Daddy Takes Us Camping, 1914
  7. Daddy Takes Us Fishing, 1914
  8. Daddy Takes Us to the Circus, 1914
  9. Daddy Takes Us Skating, 1914
  10. Daddy Takes Us Coasting, 1914
  11. Daddy Takes Us to the Farm, 1918
  12. Daddy Takes Us to the Garden, 1914
  13. Daddy Takes Us Hunting Flowers, 1915
  14. Daddy Takes Us Hunting Birds, 1916
  15. Daddy Takes Us to the Woods, 1917

    The Baseball Joe Series

Written under the pen name Lester Chadwick
  1. Baseball Joe of the Silver Stars
  2. Baseball Joe on the School Nine
  3. Baseball Joe at Yale
  4. Baseball Joe in the Central League
  5. Baseball Joe in the Big League
  6. Baseball Joe on the Giants
  7. Baseball Joe in the World Series
  8. Baseball Joe Around the World
  9. Baseball Joe: Home Run King
  10. Baseball Joe Saving the League
  11. Baseball Joe Captain of the Team
  12. Baseball Joe Champion of the League
  13. Baseball Joe Club Owner
  14. 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
  1. Two Wild Cherries; or, How Dick and Janet Lost Something
  2. Two Wild Cherries In The Country; or, How Dick and Janet Saved The Mill
  3. Two Wild Cherries At The Seashore; or, How Dick and Janet Were Shipwrecked
  4. Two Wild Cherries in the Woods; or, How Dick and Janet Caught the Bear

    Rick and Ruddy series

as Howard R. Garis
  1. Rick and Ruddy, 1920
  2. Rick and Ruddy in Camp, 1921
  3. Rick and Ruddy Afloat, 1922
  4. Rick and Ruddy Out West, 1923
  5. Rick and Ruddy on the Trail, 1924

    Those Smith Boys series

as Howard R. Garis
  1. Those Smith Boys, 1910
  2. Those Smith Boys on the Diamond, 1912

    The Venture Boys series

as Howard R. Garis
  1. The Venture Boys Afloat, 1917
  2. The Venture Boys in Camp, 1918

    Larry Dexter Series

as by Howard R. Garis
  1. From Office Boy to Reporter 1907
  2. Larry Dexter, Reporter, 1907
  3. Larry Dexter's Great Search, 1909
  4. Larry Dexter and the Bank Mystery, 1912
  5. Larry Dexter and the Stolen Boy, 1912
  6. Larry Dexter in Belgium, 1915
  7. Larry Dexter and the Ward Diamonds, 1927
  8. 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
Volume 1 through 6 retitled and issued by George Sully as the Young Reporter Series circa 1918.
  1. The Young Reporter at the Big Flood
  2. The Young Reporter and the Land Swindlers
  3. The Young Reporter and the Missing Millionaire
  4. The Young Reporter and the Bank Mystery
  5. The Young Reporter and the Stolen Boy
  6. 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.
  1. Three Little Trippertrots, 1912
  2. Three Little Trippertrots And Their Travels, 1912

    Tom Cardiff series

as Howard R. Garis
  1. Tom Cardiff's Circus
  2. Tom Cardiff in the Big Top

    Circus Animal stories

Published by R. F. Fenno
  1. Snarlie the Tiger, 1916
  2. Woo-Uff The Lion, 1917
  3. 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:
  1. Sammie and Susie Littletail
  2. Johnny and Billy Bushytail
  3. Lulu, Alice & Jimmie Wibble-Wobble
  4. Jackie and Peetie Bow-Wow
  5. Buddy and Brighteyes Pigg
  6. Joie, Tommie and Kittie Kat
  7. Charlie and Arabella Chick
  8. Neddie and Beckie Stubtail
  9. Bully and Bawly No-Tail
  10. Nannie and Billie Wagtail
  11. Jollie and Jillie Longtail
  12. Jacko and Jumpo Kinkytail
  13. Curly and Floppy Twistytail
  14. Toodle and Noodle Flat-Tail
  15. Dottie and Willie Flufftail
  16. Dickie and Nellie Fliptail
  17. Woodie and Waddie Chuck
  18. Bobby and Betty Ringtail

    The Curlytops series

as Howard R. Garis; Published by Cupples & Leon, illustrated by Julia Greene
  1. At Cherry Farm; or, Vacation Days in the Country, 1918.
  2. On Star Island; or, Camping Out with Grandpa, 1918.
  3. Snowed In; or, Grand Fun with Skates and Sleds, 1918.
  4. At Uncle Frank's Ranch; or, Little Folks on Ponyback, 1918. Cupples & Leon.
  5. At Silver Lake; or, On the Water with Uncle Ben, 1920.
  6. And Their Pets; or, Uncle Toby's Strange Collection, 1921.
  7. And Their Playmates; or, Jolly Times Through the Holidays, 1922.
  8. In the Woods; or, Fun at the Lumber Camp, 1923.
  9. At Sunset Beach; or, What Was Found in the Sand, 1924.
  10. Touring Around; or, The Missing Photograph Album, 1925.
  11. In a Summer Camp; or, Animal Joe's Menagerie, 1927.
  12. Growing Up; or, Winter Sports and Summer Pleasures, 1928.
  13. At Happy House; or, The Mystery of the Chinese Vase, 1931.
  14. 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:
  1. Buddy on the Farm or, a Boy and his Prize Pumpkin, 1929
  2. Buddy in School, or, a Boy and his Dog, 1929
  3. Buddy and his Winter Fun, or, a Boy in a Snow Camp, 1929
  4. Buddy at Rainbow Lake, or, a Boy and his Boat, 1930
  5. Buddy and his Chum, or, a Boy’s Queer Search, 1930
  6. Buddy at Pine Beach, or, a Boy on the Ocean, 1931
  7. Buddy and his Flying Balloon, or, a Boy’s Mysterious Airship, 1931
  8. Buddy on Mystery Mountain or, a Boy’s Strange Discovery, 1932
  9. Buddy on Floating Island or, a Boy’s Wonderful Secret, 1933
  10. Buddy and the Secret Cave or, a Boy and the Crystal Hermit, 1934
  11. Buddy and his Cowboy Pal or, a Boy on a Ranch, 1935
  12. Buddy and the Indian Chief or, a Boy among the Navajos, 1936
  13. Buddy and the Arrow Club or, a Boy and the Long Bow, 1937
  14. Buddy at Lost River or, a Boy and a Gold Mine, 1938
  15. Buddy on the Trail or, a Boy Among the Gypsies, 1939
  16. Buddy in Deep Valley or, a Boy on a Bee Farm, 1940
  17. Buddy at Red Gate or, a Boy on a Chicken Farm, 1941
  18. Buddy in Dragon Swamp or, a Boy on a Strange Hunt, 1942,
  19. Buddy’s Victory Club or, a Boy and a Salvage Campaign, 1943
  20. Buddy and the G-Man Mystery or, a Boy and a Strange Cipher, 1944
  21. Buddy and his Fresh Air Camp or, a Boy and the Unlucky Ones, 1947

    Rocket Riders series

as Howard R. Garis
  1. Rocket Riders Across The Ice or Racing Against Time, 1933
  2. Rocket Riders Over the Desert or, Seeking the Lost City, 1933
  3. Rocket Riders in Stormy Seas or, Trailing the Treasure Divers, 1933
  4. Rocket Riders in The Air or, A Chase in the Clouds, 1934

    Teddy series

as Howard R. Garis
  1. Teddy and The Mystery Monkey, 1936
  2. Teddy and The Mystery Dog, 1936
  3. Teddy and The Mystery Cat, 1937
  4. Teddy and The Mystery Parrot, 1938
  5. Teddy and The Mystery Pony, 1939
  6. Teddy and His Mystery Deer, 1940
  7. Teddy and His Mystery Goat, 1941

    Uncle Wiggily series

as Howard R. Garis
  1. Uncle Wiggily's Adventures
  2. Uncle Wiggily's Travels
  3. Uncle Wiggily's Fortune
  4. Uncle Wiggily's Automobile
  5. Uncle Wiggily at the Seashore
  6. Uncle Wiggily's Airship
  7. Uncle Wiggily in the Country
  8. Uncle Wiggily in the Woods
  9. Uncle Wiggily on the Farm
  10. Uncle Wiggily's Journey
  11. Uncle Wiggily and Baby Bunty
  12. Uncle Wiggily's Story Book
  13. Uncle Wiggily's Picture Book
  14. Uncle Wiggily's Puzzle Book
  15. Uncle Wiggily on Sugar Island
  16. The Uncle Wiggily Book
  17. Uncle Wiggily's Bungalow
  18. Uncle Wiggily's Picnic Party
  19. Uncle Wiggily’s Surprises
  20. Uncle Wiggily's Happy Days
  21. Uncle Wiggily and The Canoe
  22. Uncle Wiggily and the Littletails
  23. Uncle Wiggily in Wonderland, 1921
  24. 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:
  1. Adventures of the Galloping Gas Stove
  2. Adventures of the Runaway Rocking Chair
  3. Adventures of the Traveling Table
  4. Adventures of the Sliding Foot Stool
  5. Adventures of the Sailing Sofa
  6. Adventures of the Prancing Piano