MB Goffstein

M. B. Goffstein, signing posters for Natural History, New York is Book Country, 1979

M. B. Goffstein, known to friends as Brooke, was among the most original author-artists to ever create books for children.

She never followed trends or sought commerical success, always believing in the value of work only she could create.

“A book by M.B. Goffstein is a beautifully simple and simply beautiful thing.”
— New York Times Book Review

Ms. Goffstein pioneered the picture book essay in books such as Natural History (1979), An Artist (1980), A Writer (1984), My Editor (1985), School of Names (1986), and An Actor (1987).

She took deep joy in her own devotion to art and captured that spirit in Goldie the Dollmaker (1969), Two Piano Tuners (1970), A Little Schubert (1972), Daisy Summerfield’s Style (1975), Lives of the Artists (1981), and An Artists Album (1985). Of all her work, she was perhaps proudest of Artists’ Helpers Enjoy the Evenings (1987) as an expression of her artistic vision.

“M.B. Goffstein is one of the finest illustrator/writers of our time. Like porcelain there is more to her work than meets the eye. Beneath the delicacy and fragility is a core of astounding strength.”
— Washington Post

Family and friends was a constant theme in books such as The Gats! (1966), Sleepy People (1966), Brookie and Her Lamb (1967), Across the Sea (1968), The Underside of the Leaf (1972), Fish for Supper (1976), My Crazy Sister (1976), Family Scrapbook (1978), My Noah’s Ark (1978), Neighbors (1979), Laughing Latkes (1980) and Our Snowman (1986).

Finally, she movingly wrote and illustrated (ranging from pen-and-ink, pastel paintings, and photographs) stories of love and home in Me and My Captain (1974), Your Lone Journey (a song by Doc and Rosalie Watson, 1986), Our Prairie Home (1988), and A House, a Home (1989).

M. B. Goffstein passed on her 77th birthday, December 20, 2017. She died, surrounded by people who loved her very much, at Regional Hospice and Palliative Care, Danbury, Connecticut.

Brooke loved this website. She often showed it to visitors and staff at the hospice. “What a wonderful time I’m having,” she exclaimed once as only she could exclaim. I have preserved the original website’s home page at this link.

For additional information, please contact me, David Allender, at AllenderNYC@Hotmail. You can also find additional pictures, videos, and information on the M. B. Goffstein Tribute page on Facebook or on her Wikipedia page.

Thank you for visiting. Brooke’s work and spirit is with us still.

David Allender