Lilian Garis


Lilian C. Garis , born Lilian C. McNamara was an American author who wrote hundreds of books of juvenile fiction between around 1915 and the early 1940s. Prior to this, she was a reporter for the Newark Evening News in New Jersey. Garis and her husband, Howard R. Garis, were possibly the most prolific children's authors of the early 20th century.

Biography

For the Stratemeyer Syndicate she wrote under the pseudonym Margaret Penrose and Laura Lee Hope, with her works including some of the earliest books in the Bobbsey Twins series as well as the Dorothy Dale series. But Mrs. Garis also wrote some books under her own name. Her husband, Howard Roger Garis was also a Syndicate writer and DJ on WNJR. Her children Roger and Cleo also wrote juvenile fiction.

Let's Make Believe series

First published by R. F. Fenno; also by Donohue
Originally printed by Milton Bradley. Then by Grosset & Dunlap and Whitman
Two versions were printed of the first six books, one with cover art by Ruth King and one by Pelagie Doane. The series follows Carol Duncan and her sister and friends as they solve mysteries around Melody Lane. The events they encounter are standard series book fare of the time-period; and are often criticized for their dated writing style and slow-moving plots.