Archives West Finding Aid

(Helene) (Anne) Quail Hawkins (March 29, 1905-August 16, 2002), born in Spokane, Washington, is known for authoring children's books. She attended the University of California at Berkeley in 1927, without taking a degree, instead worked as a bookseller. She was also briefly on the staff of Publishers Weekly before joining Sather Gate Bookshop in 1931. Starting as a salesperson there, she eventually became head of the adult and juvenile departments. From 1954 to 1961 she worked in sales for the University of California Press before returning to Sather Gate Bookshop as a consultant on library services and book fairs. Hawkins enjoyed visiting schools and libraries, promoting children's literature; she also encouraged now-famous authors, such as Ursula K. Le Guin and Beverly Cleary to pursue writing careers. Among her own books are A Puppy for Keeps (1943), The Aunt- Sitter (1958), and her retelling of Androcles and the Lion (1970). In 1963 Hawkins also wrote material on children's literature for the Encyclopedia Britannica. She died in Pacific Grove, California.