In this country, perhaps, we do not appreciate the genius of Kate Douglas Wiggin in the measure it deserves, or to the same extent that people do on the other side of the Atlantic, where her books have a tremendous vogue. As a writer for girls, Mrs. Wiggin is known and read all over the Republic, and the circulation of her books has reached the amazing mark of over two million copies. Among the most popular of Mrs. Wiggin's books, perhaps, are "Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm," The New Chronicles of Rebecca," and "Polly Oliver's Problem." Mrs. Wiggin was born in Philadelphia, where her father was a lawyer. When she was a young child, however, she went to live in New England, where she remained until she was nearly seventeen. Her first literary effort was a story in three parts, which was published in the "St. Nicholas Magazine," and for which she received thirty pounds It was because of fluctuations in the family fortunes that Mrs. Wiggin endeavoured to earn money by her pen, but long before this she had interested herself in the welfare of the children of California. She organised the first free kindergarten for the poor on the Pacific Coast, devoting herself to the work for many years, and it was her example and inspiration that fostered the rapid and successful development of the Froebel system throughout the Western States. This knowledge of children proved of inestimable value to her when she began to write books about children. Mrs. Wiggin and her husband live for the greater part of the year in New York, but usually visit this country for a month or two. Most of her literary work, however, is done at her home at Hollis, Maine, U.S.A.

Mrs. K. D. Wiggin

Crooke