ARNE NIXON CENTER FOR THE STUDY OF CHILDREN’S LITERATURE
CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, FRESNO
ARNE NIXON PAPERS
[ Summary Information Biographical Sketch Scope and Content Series and Subseries Box Inventory ]
CREATOR: Arne Nixon
TITLE: Arne Nixon Papers
DATES: 1942-2002 and undated
VOLUME: 38 linear feet
IDENTIFICATION: ANC0003
ACQUISITION: The papers were initially donated by Arne Nixon in 1995. Additional materials were received in 1997, 2000, and 2006.
ACCESS: The papers are open for research.
COPYRIGHT: Copyright has not been transferred to California State University, Fresno.
PROCESSED BY: Matthew Borrego and Alan H. Stein, 2006.
Provenance
The bulk of these materials was given by Arne Nixon to the Henry Madden Library at California State University, Fresno, in 1995. Additional materials were received from the estate of Arne Nixon in 1997, from Shirley Canales in 2000, and from Joan Q. Becker in 2006. The provenance of some materials is unknown.
Restrictions
Collection is non-circulating; in-house research use only.
Copyright
The collection is protected by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, U. S. Code). Reproductions can be made only if they are to be used for "private study, scholarship, or research." It is the user's responsibility to verify copyright ownership and to obtain all necessary permissions prior to the reproduction, publication, or other use of any portion of these materials, other than that noted above.
Arne John Nixon was born at Greenfield Township on February 19, 1927, in Frederick, South Dakota, to a Finnish-American family. A genealogical perspective is necessary in order to understand the origins and variations of the Nixon family name as it appears in this finding aid. Records from the archives of Vaasan Maakunta as compiled by Albert R. Erickson give the family name as Nikunen. However an endowment brochure written by Arne Nixon's "adopted" son Tawfic Farah uses the name Nikonen. It is not clear when the name was changed to Nixon, or who changed it. Arne Nixon himself spent time in Finland, where he researched places where relatives had once lived and also visited the Eero Kuusinen family, who were related to him through his mother.
He grew up on a farm during the Depression. Son of William Oscar and Amelia (Kivi Wainio) Nixon, he learned the art of storytelling from his Finnish grandfather and spoke only Finnish until he began school in Savo. There he quickly learned English. In a small town with few resources, reading opened the world to him. He kept a diary and soon he began haunting the Frederick Library, which was a wondrous place for young Arne.
High school seemed an impossible goal, as it would have meant moving to a larger town and boarding away from home, and there was no money to spare. Then, in eighth grade, he participated in an elocution contest in Ellendale, North Dakota, at the State Normal and Industrial College. Mr.J.C. McMillan, the college president, impressed with Nixon's speaking ability and his intelligence, took him into his own home to enable Arne to complete his education in exchange for doing household chores. Nixon eagerly agreed, graduating from high school in Ellendale and, in 1948, from the State Normal and Industrial College with a B.S. in education. He taught in Monango and Guelph, North Dakota, before moving to Washington State where he taught Native Americans at Neah Bay. While there he studied and he received his master’s degree in 1954 from Western Washington College of Education in Bellingham.
Nixon went on to earn a Ph.D. in 1959 at Columbia University in New York. He moved to Tulare, California, in the 1950s. There he taught and also served as an elementary school principal and superintendent. He also served overseas as a consultant to the Ministry of Education in the Republic of the Sudan in Africa. By invitation, he went to the Soviet Union on several occasions to do storytelling in schools and to make presentations to various groups there, lecturing at universities and speaking to Soviet publishers, editors, and others who worked with children’s literature. Always a sought-after speaker, he told stories to audiences throughout California and around the world. On March 6, 1964, he was awarded the title of “World Traveler, Par Excellence” by the Armchair Travelers of the World. In 1969 he received the Distinguished Service Award from the University of North Dakota.
Dr. Nixon joined the faculty of California State University, Fresno, in 1961 and served in both instructional and administrative roles for over 30 years. As a member of the faculty in the School of Education and Human Development, he taught storytelling and children’s literature, making them an integral part of the curriculum. He organized conferences that attracted tens of thousands of people, and hosted workshops for teachers and librarians, featuring famous authors and illustrators including Aliki, Leo Politi, and Isaac Beshevis Singer. In those thirty years he saw the campus grow into a comprehensive university serving more than 20,000 students. Visits from dozens of America’s best known authors and illustrators helped to establish Fresno State as a center for the study of children’s literature.
Wherever he went in the world, Arne Nixon bought children's books and publishers sent him box after box of review copies. At book fairs, he would humbly ask authors if they would sign copies of their books, which they always did. Soon his library collection expanded, as books found their way into his house, his office, his garage, and even his car. While Nixon’s listeners encouraged him to write his own books for children, he always declined, explaining that “it is the function of some people to be a lamp and some to be a mirror. I have been very pleased to function as a mirror of others’ work.” He encouraged his students and audiences to explore their talents for storytelling. Authors Clyde Robert Bulla and Robert D. San Souci, notable figures in the field of children’s literature, both dedicated books to Arne Nixon.
In 1984 Dr. Nixon was honored by California State University, Fresno, as its Professor of the Year. In 1993 he was inducted into the California Reading Association Hall of Fame. In 1995 he donated his collection of approximately 22,000 volumes to the Henry Madden Library, founding the Arne Nixon Center for the Study of Children’s Literature. The book collection is eclectic and modern; his books (which he began collecting in the 1950s) reflect his international perspective on life. His initial donation included many foreign language books, especially Finnish and Scandinavian titles.
When he died at St. Agnes Medical Center in Fresno on July 6, 1997, he left the Library a generous bequest to ensure that the Center would perpetuate his work. The California State Senate adjourned in memory of Arne Nixon on July 11, 1997. Funeral services were conducted on July 12 in South Dakota, at a simple Finnish cemetery in the countryside near Frederick, followed on July 19 by a memorial service at the Madden Library commemorating his life and work. On September 11, 1997, a reception honoring Nixon and his bequest to fund the Endowment for the Arne Nixon Center for the Study of Children’s Literature was held at the Madden Library. Dean Michael Gorman observed that Nixon’s “tangible legacy” lived on in the “magnificent collection of children’s books” that was given to the Library.
In 1999, before the Center opened, Angelica Carpenter was appointed its first curator. The Center, which opened in 2001, is a department of the Library, and is considered one of the largest and most important collections of children’s literature in the county and the only one in the West. Its founding advisory board included Arne Nixon's "adopted" son, Dr. Tawfic Farah; librarian and author Michael Cart; and Michael Gorman, Fresno State's Dean of Library Services. In 2003 Dr. Maurice J. Eash, a longtime friend of Arne Nixon, took Dr. Farah's place on the board. Dr. Nixon’s spirit and his work live on in the Arne Nixon Center.
Sources
Arne Nixon Papers, The Arne Nixon Center for the Study of Children’s Literature.
Becker, Joan “Another Grave Matter” (unpublished reminiscences about Arne Nixon).
Oral history interview with Dr. Joan Q. Becker by Alan H. Stein, February 8, 2006.
A Commemoration of the Life of Arne J. Nixon, July 19, 1997 [videorecording].
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The Arne Nixon Papers contain correspondence, photographs, notes, audiovisual materials, newspaper clippings, classroom materials, plaques and award certificates, personal records, and printed materials that were accumulated between 1942 and 1997 by Arne Nixon, with additional material provided by other individuals after his death. Nixon’s papers were created from his lengthy career as a teacher of children’s literature and storytelling, as well as his activities as speaker and storyteller. The material is organized into eleven series: education, teacher and administrator, professor, lecturer, storyteller, societies and organization, correspondence, photographs, newspaper clippings, miscellaneous and personal, and legacy.
The Education Series (1942-1982 and undated) includes official records and diplomas from Arne Nixon’s own education at the primary and college level.
The Teacher and Administrator Series (1950-1951) consists of a State School Register from Arne Nixon’s tenure as a teacher at Central Elementary School in Tulare, California.
The material in the Professor Series (1972-1998 and undated) includes official records, flyers, audiocassettes, class materials, and plaques relating to Arne Nixon’s tenure as professor at California State University, Fresno.
The Lecturer Series (1979-1994 and undated) contains flyers, programs, and speech notes relating to Nixon’s numerous speaking engagements apart from his academic and storytelling activities.
The Storyteller Series (1983 and undated) contains artwork adapted by an unknown individual for use by Arne Nixon in his storytelling, as well as material from schoolchildren and an audiocassette of Arne Nixon reading a story.
Materials documenting Arne Nixon’s relationships to numerous Societies and Organizations (1954-1999 and undated) include certificates of recognition, award plaques, and correspondence.
Arne Nixon’s Correspondence (1959-1996 and undated) consists of personal letters from children, friends, and acquaintances, official memoranda from colleagues and organizations, and letters to and from authors and illustrators.
The Photographs Series (1965-1993 and undated) includes unmounted photographs, photograph albums, and slides relating to Arne Nixon, his acquaintances and colleagues, and events he attended or participated in.
The material in the Newspaper Clippings Series consists of English and Finnish-language clippings from newspapers of stories relating to Arne Nixon spanning the years 1976-1998.
Materials such as ceramic plates, figurines, toys, artwork, and dolls collected by Arne Nixon make up the Ephemera Series. The plates themselves largely depict traditional fairy tales, folk tales, and nursery rhymes from around the world, while the dolls depict favorite characters such as Pinocchio, Raggedy Ann, and Raggedy Andy. This series also includes artwork and other materials from authors and illustrators.
The Miscellaneous and Personal Series (1944-1982 and undated) includes government records, family materials, diaries, passports, scrapbooks, and other materials of a personal nature that could not otherwise be classified as part of Nixon's scholarly or storytelling activities.
The material in the Legacy Series (1993-2002 and undated) includes pamphlets, programs, videotapes, and other materials regarding events and establishments honoring the life and accomplishments of Arne Nixon.
Additional materials in the Legacy Series, gathered by Dr. Joan Q. Becker for a book on Dr. Nixon, were transferred to the Arne Nixon collection on February 8, 2006 (see Acknowledgement of Gift signed by Joan Q. Becker).
The Joan Q. Becker Collection-Nixon Transfer includes a 16-page manuscript entitled “Another Grave Matter” consisting of personal testimony (a memorial statement) of her friendship with Nixon, written shortly after his death on July 6, 1997 and sent to his memorial service. In addition to the manuscript there are notes for the format of her proposed book on Nixon, called “I Remember Arne” and a list of contacts and friends of Dr. Nixon. Also included in this collection is a scrapbook of photographs, correspondence and testimonials to Arne Nixon collected by Becker for her book, arranged alphabetically by contributor.
In addition to his papers and ephemera, Arne Nixon donated his personal collection of approximately 22,000 books. These books are being added to the Henry Madden Library's computerized catalogue, ALIS. Many of these books are inscribed to Arne Nixon by the authors and illustrators, sometimes including original drawings. Additional correspondence and photographs are mounted within some of the books.
Separated Material
The Arne Nixon Papers contain a great deal of oversized material, which is stored in boxes 3 to 39. Box 3 contains newspaper clippings, calendars, and certain diplomas, certificates, and photographs which were too large to store with the other papers. Box 4 holds audiovisual material, specifically audiotapes and videotapes in various formats. Box 5 contains plaques and mounted diplomas. Box 6 holds toys and other miscellaneous ephemera. Box 7 contains dolls and stuffed animals. Boxes 8 to 10 contain Santa Claus figures. Box 11 consists solely of the Belly Button Monster Quilt. Boxes 12 to 37 contain ceramic plates and figurines. Box 38 contains various personal objects. Box 39 contains fabric items. Box 40 contains artwork and other illustrated materials.
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A. Education (1942-1982 and undated)
B. Teacher and Administrator (1950-1951)
C. Professor (1972-1998 and undated)
D. Lecturer (1979-1994 and undated)
E. Storyteller (1983 and undated)
F. Societies and Organizations (1954-1999 and undated)
1. The Armchair Travelers of the World, Fresno, California
3. Association for Childhood Education International, Fresno, California
4. California Reading Association
5. Clemmie Gill School of Science and Conservation
8. Fresno Area Reading Council of the International Reading Association
9. Friends of the Fresno County Public Library
10. Golden Key National Honor Society, California State University, Fresno Chapter
12. International Reading Association
13. Kappa Delta Pi
15. National Education Association of the United States
16. Phi Delta Kappa
17. Selma Unified School District
18. Tulare County Elementary Administrators' Association
19. University of North Dakota - Ellendale Branch
G. Correspondence (1959-1996 and undated)
H. Photographs (1965-1993 and undated)
I. Newspaper Clippings (1976-1998)
J. Ephemera (1982-1984 and undated)
1. Toys
2. Ceramic Plates and Figurines
3. Materials from Authors and Illustrators
K. Miscellaneous and Personal (1944-1982 and undated)
L. Legacy (1993-2002 and undated)
1. Arne Nixon Center for the Study of Children's Literature
3. Arne Nixon Storytelling Festival
4. The Arne John Nikonen Endowment
5. A Commemoration of the Life of Arne J. Nixon, July 19, 1997
6. Recollections Contributed by Dr. Jo Becker and Others
[ Top ]
Box/Folder
A. Education (1942-1982 and undated)
1/1 Report cards and certificates of credit, March 1942 to January 1954, 4 items.
1/2 College transcripts, May 1950 to August 1958 and undated, 4 items.
3/1 Diplomas and credentials, May 1941 to October 1959, 9 items.
5/1 Mounted diplomas, June 1953 to December 1959, 2 items.
1/3 Ellendale High School 1982 Reunion program, 1 item.
B. Teacher and Administrator (1950-1951)
1/4 State School Register from Central Elementary School, Tulare Elementary District 9th grade class, July 1, 1950 to June 30, 1951, 1 item.
C. Professor (1972-1998 and undated)
1/5 California State University, Fresno, Extension Division Bulletin, Spring 1976 to Spring 1983, 7 issues.
1/6 California State University, Fresno, Extension Division flyers, Spring 1979 to Spring 1996, 29 items.
1/7-4/6 Festival of Children’s Books,
1/7 Flyers and programs from the Annual Festival of Children's Books, 1972 to 1983, 25 items.
4/1 Audiocassette from 7th annual Children’s Books Festival, “Jean Ritchie Performs Music From Her Kentucky Homeland” by Jean Ritchie, undated, 1 item.
4/2 Audiocassette from 8th annual Children's Books Festival, "Books and the World of the Child" by Ann Herbert Scott, undated, 1 item.
4/3 Audiocassette from Children’s Book Festival, E. L. Konigsburg’s presentation, April 12, 1975, 1 item.
4/4 Magnetic tape from 10th Children's Festival of Books, Tape III, undated, 1 item.
4/5 Audiocassette from A Fall Celebration of Children’s Books with Dr. Arne Nixon, Tape 3, December 1, 1979, 1 item.
4/6 Audiocassette from A Fall Celebration of Children’s Books with Dr. Arne Nixon, Tape 4, December 1, 1979, 1 item.
1/8 Class records, September 1996 to November 1996 and undated, 8 items.
1/9 Report of Sabbatical Leave for Spring 1978 Semester, 2 copies.
1/10 Subject bibliographies of children's books, undated, 22 items.
1/11 Syllabi, undated, 3 items.
1/12-5/2 Outstanding Professor of the University, California State University, Fresno,
1/12 Supportive Documentation to the Candidacy of Arne Nixon, December 5, 1983, 1 item.
5/2 Plaques, May 19, 1984, 3 items.
1/13-5/3 Professor Emeritus of Curriculum Teaching and Educational Technology
1/13 Correspondence, November 1997, 1 item.
5/3 Plaque, 1997, 1 item.
3/2 Academic Calendar, 1997-98, 3 items.
D. Lecturer (1979-1994 and undated)
1/14 Flyers and programs from speaking engagements, December 1979 to January 1994 and undated, 20 items.
1/15 Speech notes, undated, 102 items.
E. Storyteller (1983 and undated)
1/16 Children's project "The Most Important Book, Dedicated To: Arnie Nixon", May 1983, 1 item.
4/7 Audiocassette of Ezra Jack Keats’ story “The Trip” read by Dr. Arne Nixon, undated, 1 item.
40/1 Illustrations adapted for storytelling purposes by an unknown individual from the book Possum Come a-Knockin' by Nancy Van Laan, illustrated by George Booth, undated, 22 items.
40/2 Illustrations adapted for storytelling purposes by an unknown individual from the book Down by the Bay by Raffi, illustrated by Nadine Bernard Westcott, undated, 18 items.
F. Societies and Organizations (1954-1999 and undated)
1. The Armchair Travelers of the World, Fresno, California
1/17 Award of the title of "World Traveler, Par Excellence", March 6, 1964, 1 item.
1/18 Lists of members, undated, 2 items.
39/1 T-Shirt with "Arne Nixon Fan Club" printed on front, 1 item.
3. Association for Childhood Education International, Fresno, California
5/4 Plaque acknowledging Arne Nixon's term as President, 1971-1973, 1 item.
4. California Reading Association
1/19 Commendation for Outstanding Contributions to State Reading Activities, April 21, 1986, 1 item.
5/5 Margaret Lynch Area Exemplary Service Award for Outstanding Contribution to Reading in Area 5, 1988, 1 item.
1/20-1/23 Hall of Fame,
1/20 Correspondence, undated, 1 item.
1/21 Photocopies from The California Reader, Volume 27, No. 2 Winter 1994, 3 items.
1/22 27th Annual CRA Conference Program, 1 item.
1/23 Certificate, November 5, 1993, 1 item.
1/24-5/6 Marcus Foster Memorial Reading Award for Outstanding Contribution to Reading in California 1995,
1/24 California Reading Association Awards High Tea program, November 3, 1995, 1 item.
5/6 Plaque, 1995, 1 item.
5. Clemmie Gill School of Science and Conservation
5/7 Award of Merit for Service to Mankind, undated, 1 item.
1/25 Certificate of Membership in the State Normal and Industrial College Cast of Delta Psi Omega, undated, 1 item.
7. Department of Elementary School Principals of the National Education Association of the United States
1/26 Certificate acknowledging Arne Nixon as Life Member, December 21, 1959, 1 item.
8. Fresno Area Reading Council of the International Reading Association
5/8 The John Martin Literacy Award Plaque, January 24, 1986, 1 item.
9. Friends of the Fresno County Public Library
4/8 VHS videocassette of Leo Politi (Library) Celebration with Dr. Arne Nixon and Friends and Family of Leo, November 17, 1996, 1 item.
1/27-1/28 Dinner in the Library: A Literary Repast
1/27 Programs, November 9, 1999, 3 items.
1/28 Bound volume entitled Dinner in the Library: A Literary Repast, 1990-1999, 2 items.
10. Golden Key National Honor Society, California State University, Fresno, Chapter
1/29 Honorary Membership Certificate, May 8, 1985, 1 item.
1/30 Guidelines and correspondence concerning Arne Nixon's nomination for the Grolier Foundation Award, September 1993 to February 1994 and undated, 5 items.
12. International Reading Association
1/31 Commendation for Outstanding Contributions to Reading Council Activities, April 9, 1981, 1 item.
5/9 The Gamma Psi Chapter Distinguished Service Award Plaque, March 17, 1976, 1 item.
1/32 Certificate of membership in the Gamma Psi Chapter of Kappa Delta Pi, March 9, 1977, 1 item.
3/3 Diploma for Distinguished Achievement, April 1974, 1 item.
15. National Education Association of the United States
3/4 Certificate acknowledging Arne Nixon as an Active Member for Life, April 1954, 1 item.
1/33 Certificate of membership in the Beta Chapter of Psi Delta Kappa, December 8, 1958, 1 item.
1/34 Certificate of Recognition, May 21, 1981, 1 item.
17. Selma Unified School District
1/35 Education Award, December 3, 1991, 1 item.
18. Tulare County Elementary Administrators' Association
5/10 Plaque acknowledging Arne Nixon's term as President, 1956-1957, 1 item.
19. University of North Dakota - Ellendale Branch
1/36 Distinguished Service Award, May 29, 1969, 1 item.
G. Correspondence (1959-1996 and undated)
1/37-1/66 Letters from authors and illustrators,
1/37 Aliki Brandenberg, July 1993, 1 item.
1/38 William H. Armstrong, August 1973 to May 1974, 3 items.
1/39 Rebecca Caudill Ayars, February 1975, 1 item.
1/40 Caroline Bauer, March 1983, 1 item.
1/41 Frank Bonham, January 1977, 1 item.
1/42 Ashley Bryan, September 1975 to December 1996, 13 items.
1/43 Clyde Robert Bulla, June 1976 to May 1983, 4 items.
1/44 Paula Danziger, January 1983 to May 1983, 2 items.
1/45 Tomie dePaola, undated, 1 item.
1/46 Roger Duvoisin, November 1978 to May 1980 and undated, 10 items.
1/47 Louise Fatio, July 1980, 2 items.
1/48 Leonard Everett Fisher, May 1984, 1 item.
1/49 Jean Craighead George, November 1981, 1 item.
1/50 Virginia Hamilton, January 1975 to November 1975, 2 items.
1/51 Edith Thacher Hurd, May 1977, 1 item.
1/52 Leland B. Jacobs, April 1974 to January 1976, 2 items.
1/53 Ezra Jack Keats, October 1974 to February 1981 and undated, 8 items.
1/54 E. L. Konigsburg, April 1975, 1 item.
1/55 Blair Lent, December 1975 to April 1976, 4 items.
1/56 Myra Cohn Livingston, September 1974 to October 1974, 2 items.
1/57 Bill Martin Jr., February 1993, 1 item.
1/58 Bill Peet, undated, 2 items.
1/59 Leo Politi, March 1975 to April 1981 and undated, 14 items.
1/60 Ann Herbert Scott, February 1981, 1 item.
1/61 Maurice Sendak, September 1973 to October 1978, 3 items.
1/62 Lynd Ward, October 1973 to April 1974, 2 items.
1/63 Maia Wojciechowska, January 1976, 1 item.
1/64 Taro Yashima, May 1976, 1 item.
1/65 Laurence Yep, undated, 1 item.
1/66 Margot Zemach, December 1979 to October 1985 and undated, 7 items.
1/67 Letters from children, October 1973 to May 1974 and undated, 9 items.
1/68 Letters from colleagues and organizations, September 1971 to May 1996, 37 items.
1/69 Letters from friends and acquaintances, May 1959 to December 1996 and undated, 49 items.
H. Photographs (1965-1993 and undated)
3/5 Photographs of Arne Nixon, September 1965 to June 1984 and undated, 58 items.
2/1 Photographs of Arne Nixon's storytelling visits, 28 items.
2/2 Photograph album of Arne Nixon's storytelling visit to Elbow Creek School, 1994, 1 item.
2/3 Photographs from 27th Annual CRA Conference, November 5, 1993, 10 items.
2/4 Photographs from unidentified event, December 1993, 11 items.
2/5 Photographs from Fresno County Office of Education event, December 1993, 17 items.
2/6 Photographs from event honoring Arne Nixon, undated, 12 items.
2/7 Photographs of Arne Nixon signing documents relating to the donation of his books and an endowment to the Henry Madden Library, undated, 6 items.
2/8-2/34 Photographs of authors and illustrators,
2/8 Aliki Brandenberg, 4 items.
2/9 Richard Armour, 1 item.
2/10 William H. Armstrong, 4 items.
2/11 Jose Aruego, 1 item.
2/12 Molly Bang, 2 items.
2/13 Marion Dane Bauer, 2 items.
2/14 Byrd Baylor, 6 items.
2/15 Ashley Bryan, 2 items.
2/16 Clyde Robert Bulla, 1 item.
2/17 Eleanor Coerr, 2 items.
2/18 Roger Duvoisin, 3 items.
2/19 Leonard Everett Fisher, 1 item.
2/20 Sid Fleischman, 2 items.
2/21 Lorenz Graham, 1 item.
2/22 Virginia Hamilton, 4 items.
2/23 Leland B. Jacobs, 1 item.
2/24 E. L. Konigsburg, 1 item.
2/25 Leo Politi, 18 items.
2/26 Jack Prelutsky, 1 item.
2/27 Isaac Beshevis Singer, 4 items.
2/28 Peter Spier, 1 item.
2/29 Barbara Williams, 4 items.
2/30 Maia Wojciechowska, 3 items.
2/31 Diane Wolkstein, 1 item.
3/6 Don and Audrey Wood, 2 items.
2/32 Taro Yashima, 2 items.
2/33 Paul Zelinksy, 1 item.
2/34 Margot Zemach, 1 item.
2/35 Photographs of friends and family, May 1982 to August 1992 and undated, 25 items.
2/36 Childhood photograph album, undated, 1 item.
2/37 Slides, undated, 47 items.
I. Newspaper Clippings (1976-1998)
3/7-3/12 English-language newspaper clippings,
3/7 1976 to December 1984, 39 items.
3/8 July 1985 to February 1987, 33 items.
3/9 January 1988 to October 1988, 20 items.
3/10 April 1989 to October 1992, 24 items.
3/11 February 1995 to August 1996, 26 items.
3/12 July 1997 to September 1998, 6 items.
3/13 Finnish-language newspaper clippings, August 9, 1984 to September 28, 1992, 6 items.
J. Ephemera (1982-1984 and undated)
2/38 Typewritten history of the “Grandpa Kalle” doll by Riitta and Jukka-Pekka Mecklin, undated, 1 item.
7/1 “Grandpa Kalle” doll with milking footstool, 1982-1983, 2 items
7/2 Wooden Pinocchio doll, undated, 1 item.
7/3 Plush "Koko the Gorilla" doll, 1 item.
7/4 "Hans the Christmas Elf" doll, 1 item.
7/5 Raggedy Ann and Raggedy Andy dolls, 2 items.
7/6 Plush "Babar" doll, 1 item.
7/7 Plush "Christmas Moose" doll, 1 item.
7/8 Little Lord Fauntleroy doll, 1 item.
7/9 Female doll in pink dress, 1 item.
6/1 Electric walking rabbit toy, 1 item.
6/2 Dog hand puppet, 1 item.
6/3 "Laughing Mirror" novelty toy, 1 item.
2. Ceramic Plates and Figurines
2/39 Certificates of Authenticity for ceramic plates, 130 items.
12/1 Aesop's Fables, 7 items.
12/2 Alice in Wonderland, 8 items.
13/1 American Folk Heroes Series, 5 items.
14/1 Beatrix Potter character figurines, 48 items.
14/2 Beatrix Potter music character figures, 3 items.
13/2 Bible Stories, 8 items.
15/1 Blue Snow at Half Dome, 1 item.
15/2 "Bunnykins" set, 3 items.
15/3 Byzantine-Style Plates, 2 items.
15/4 Christmas Brownies, 3 items.
15/5 A Christmas Carol, 1 item.
15/6 Classic Fairy Tales (German), 5 items.
16/1 Columbus, 1 item.
16/2 Danish Mall Annual Plates, 2 items.
16/3 Edna Hibel Christmas Plates, 6 items.
16/4 Egyptian Myths, 1 item.
17/1 Fairies, 14 items.
18/1 Fairy Tales (French), 3 items.
19/1 Fairy Tales, 18 items.
18/2 Finnish Christmas Annual Plates, 13 items.
20/1 Finnish Folk Tales Annual Plates, 20 items.
21/1 Finnish decorative plaque of bunnies in schoolroom, 1 item.
21/2 Frederick, South Dakota, 2 items.
21/3 A Garden of Verses, 11 items.
22/1 The Greatest Clowns of the Circus, 1 item.
23/2 Greek Legends, 3 items.
23/3 Grimms' Fairy Tales (Danish), 1 item.
23/4 Grimms' Fairy Tales (German), 8 items.
24/1 Hans Christian Andersen's The Shepherdess and the Chimney Sweep, 1 item.
24/2 Helsinki, 6 items.
24/3 Holy Christmas, 6 items.
25/1 Hummel Annual Plates (German), 13 items.
26/1 Lapland and Finland Souvenir Plates, 2 items.
26/2 Lapland Plates, 6 items.
26/3 The Little Mermaid, 1 item.
26/4 The Love Story of Siam, 1 item.
26/5 Marchen Aus Der Allen Russlard, 6 items.
27/1 Mother and Child (Finnish) 1 item.
27/2 The Norman Rockwell America at Work, 1 item.
27/3 Nursery Rhymes, 11 items.
28/1 Nursery Rhymes, 15 items.
29/1 Once Upon a Time Series, 1 item.
29/2 1,001 Nights, 4 items.
29/3 Peter Rabbit Musical Plates, 6 items.
30/1 Peter Rabbit Tea Set, 11 items.
30/2 Poetry Society of London's Treasury of Classic Children's Verse, 1 item.
30/3 Rockwell Heritage Collection, 1 item.
30/4 Russian Fairy Tales, 4 items.
31/1-36/1 Russian Folk Tales,
31/1 Plates 1-12, 12 items.
32/1 Plates 13-24, 12 items.
33/1 Plates 25-36, 12 items.
34/1 Plates 37-48, 12 items.
35/1 Plates 49-60, 12 items.
36/1 Plates 61-72, 12 items.
37/1 Scenes from Beatrix Potter, 1 item.
37/2 Stained Glass Gardens Plate Collection, 1 item.
37/3 Swedish Annual Plates, 1 item.
37/4 Unidentified Russian plate, 1 item.
37/5 Unidentified Swiss plate, 1 item.
37/6 Who Will Comfort Toffle? (Finnish), 4 items.
37/7 "The Wind in the Willows" set, 3 items.
37/8 Winged Jewels, 1 item.
37/9 Winter Twilight, 1 item.
37/10 The World of Beatrix Potter, 1 item.
3. Materials from Authors and Illustrators
40/3 Sketches of Arne Nixon by Leo Politi, inscribed to Arne Nixon, 1984, 2 items.
40/4 Sketch entitled "Read BIG or small...BUT READ!!" by Peter Spier, signed, undated, 1 item.
40/5 Poster for the "Feria De Los Niños" in Los Angeles, inscribed to Arne Nixon, mounted, undated, 1 item.
40/6 Print of child holding a bunny rabbit doll by Dorothy Klyver, signed, mounted, undated, 1 item.
40/7 Illustrated proof of Swim, Little Duck by Miska Miles, inscribed to Arne Nixon, undated, 1 item.
6/4 Enameled Russian Boxes, 2 items.
6/5 Covered Wagon table lamp, 1 item.
6/6 Wooden nativity set, 4 items.
6/7 “Smoking Men” Incense burners, 2 items.
8/1-10/1 Santa Claus figures,
8/1 Figures 1-4, 4 items.
9/1 Figures 5-8, 4 items.
10/1 Figures 9-11, 3 items.
6/8 "Pueblo Thunderbird Design" decorative plaque, 1 item.
6/9 Bell, 1 item.
6/10 Troll decorative plaque, 1 item.
6/11 Frederick, SD Centennial 1882-1982 belt buckle, 1 item.
39/2 African-style hat, 1 item.
39/3 Finnish-style embroidered hat, 1 item.
K. Miscellaneous and Personal (1944-1982 and undated)
38/1 Diary, 1944-1946, 1 item.
38/2 Scrapbook, 1 item.
38/3 Bible covered in mother of pearl, 1 item.
2/40 Nixon Family Background compiled by Albert R. Erickson, 106 sheets.
2/41 Income Tax forms, 1965-1974, 3 items.
2/42 Homeowner's Loss Report, December 1982, 3 sheets.
2/43 Passports, 2 items.
38/4 Index cards with inventory of Arne Nixon's book collection, 571 items.
2/44 Miscellaneous records, 5 items.
L. Legacy (1993-2002 and undated)
1. Arne Nixon Center for the Study of Children's Literature
2/45 Invitation to a reception honoring Arne Nixon for his bequest to fund the Endowment for the Arne Nixon Center for the Study of Children's Literature, September 11, 1997, 1 item.
2/46 Publicity materials, undated, 18 items.
2/47 Dedication program, December 7, 1993, 7 items.
3. Arne Nixon Storytelling Festival
2/48 Flyers, 1998 to 2002, 4 items.
39/4 T-Shirt with "Arne Nixon Student Storytelling Festival" printed on front and back, 1 item.
4. The Arne John Nikonen Endowment
2/49 Pamphlet, 1 item.
2/50 Leaflets for Arne Nixon High School Exchange Scholarship Program, 3 items.
5. A Commemoration of the Life of Arne J. Nixon, July 19, 1997
2/51 Program, 4 items.
4/9 VHS videocassette entitled A Commemoration of the Life of Arne J. Nixon, July 19, 1997, 1 item.
6. Recollections Contributed by Dr. Jo Becker and Others
2/52 Mario L. M. Baca, "To Nikonan," undated, 2 items.
2/53 Armen D. Bacon, "Memories of Arne Nixon," undated, 2 items.
2/54 Jo Becker, "Another Grave Matter," July 8, 1997, 16 sheets.
2/55 Jo Becker, "Our CSUF Legacy," placed by Arne Nixon's office door through the California State University, Fresno Education Department, undated, 1 item.
2/56 Jo Becker, untitled recollection placed by Arne Nixon's office door through the California State University, Fresno, Education Department, July 1997, 3 items.
2/57 Clyde Robert Bulla, untitled recollection, undated, 2 items.
2/58 Maurice J. Eash, “I Never Called Him Arne: I Always Called Him Nick,” April 15, 2000, 3 items
2/59 Lynn Eilefson, "I Remember Arne..." September 15, 1999, 3 items.
2/60 Ted Esquivel, untitled recollection, September 7, 1999, 2 items.
2/61 Sid Fleischman, untitled recollection, June 14, 1999, 3 items.
2/62 Jean Craighead George, untitled recollection, June 12, 1999, 4 items.
2/63 Carmen Farr Gregory, "Dr. Arne Nixon: Impressions from a Middle School Teacher," April 19, 2000, 5 items.
2/64 Melba Johnson, Dorothy Gonzales, and Carol Belknap: "Arne Nixon," January 25, 2000, 5 items.
2/65 Patricia MacLachan, "Arne Nixon," June 24, 1999, 1 item.
2/66 John Mason, "Arne Nixon," June 10, 1999, 1 item.
2/67 Jo Ellen Misakian, “My recollections of a wonderful person: Dr. Arne Nixon,” 1999, 1 item
2/68 Helen M. Pitton, “I Remember Arne,” September 9, 1999, 5 items.
2/69 Bart B. Reed, “Memories of Dr. Nixon,” September 2, 1999, 5 items
2/70 Rick and LeeAnne Rossiter, “Memories of Arne,” January 20, 2000, 2 items
2/71 Ivan Rowe, "Arne Nixon," December 27, 1999, 10 items.
2/72 Peggy Schoenduve, untitled recollection, October 11, 1999, 3 items.
2/73 Theodore Taylor, untitled recollection, June 1999, 5 items.
2/74 John Welty, "Arne Nixon," January 2000, 4 items.
2/75 Photocopy of photograph and quote by Arne Nixon, undated, 1 item.
2/76 Transcript of statements made at the Commemoration of the Life of Arne J. Nixon, July 19, 1997, edited and annotated, 21 sheets.
2/77 Mounted photographs, undated, 18 items.
2/78 Photographs, undated, 9 items.
2/79 Newspaper clippings, October 30, 1995 and undated, 5 items.
2/80 Preface by Jo Becker of proposed book about Arne Nixon, 2001, unedited, 2 items.
2/81 Contact information for proposed book about Arne Nixon, undated, 5 items.
2/82 Artwork for proposed book about Arne Nixon, undated, 10 items.
2/83 Notes relating to format for proposed book about Arne Nixon, undated, 3 items.
2/84 "Possible Options for a Weekend Celebration for the Opening of the Arne Nixon Center for Children's Literature" by Joan Q. Becker, undated, 2 items.
2/85 Proposal for the Arne Nixon Storytelling Center for Education by Joan Becker, November 26, 1997, 1 item.
2/86 Flyer entitled "Extension Course: Meet the Authors You Love to Read!" undated, 1 item.
4/10 VHS videocassettes of Grapevine TV Magazine’s memorial episode on Arne J. Nixon, 2 items.
2/87 “Mini-Story of The Belly Button Monster Quilt” by Dr. Joan Q. Becker, 1997, 1 item.
11/1 The Belly Button Monster Quilt, 1997, 1 item.
2/88 Certificate commemorating the adjournment of the California State Senate on July 11, 1997 in memory of Arne J. Nixon, 1 item.
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