A poet, screenwriter, travel journalist, novelist, and writer of children’s books, George Mendoza (1934–2018) established himself as a top author of his day, publishing over 100 books for children and adults worldwide. In 1968, he was awarded the Lewis Carroll Shelf Award for his book The Hunter I Might Have Been. Ahead of his time in terms of packaging projects, his phenomenal energy, talent, and imagination were reflected in his many collaborations with celebrities such as Carol Burnett and Michel Legrand, renowned artists like Eric Carle and Norman Rockwell, and sports figures including Muhammad Ali and Ivan Lendl. Mendoza’s love for sailing and trout fishing may be found in his editions of poetry, including Goodbye, River, Goodbye with photographs by George A. Tice. He lived most of his life in New York City with his wife, Ruth, and his children, Ashley, and Ryan.
Selected books in order of publication:
GWOT! Horribly Funny Hairticklers – 1967
The Gillygoofang – 1968
A Wart Snake In A Fig Tree – 1968
The Hunter I Might Have Been – 1968
The Crack in the Wall and Other Terribly Weird Tales – 1968
And I Must Hurry for the Sea is Coming in – 1969
The Good Luck Spider: And Other Bad Luck Stories – 1970
Goodbye, River, Goodbye – 1971
Moonfish and owl scratchings – 1971
The thumbtown toad – 1971
The hunter, the tick, and the Gumberoo – 1971
The Marcel Marceau Counting Book – 1971
Sesame Street Book of Opposites With Zero Mostel – 1974
What I Want to Be When I Grow Up – 1975
Need a House? Call Ms. Mouse! – 1981
The Sheepish Book of Opposites – 1984
Henri Mouse – 1986
A Gift for Miss Milo – 1989
Hairticklers – 1989
Were You a Wild Duck, Where Would You Go? – 1990
Traffic Jam – 1990