If you’ve ever been in a position to buy and/or read children’s books, or you are a Corgi enthusiast, you already know the name Tasha Tudor. The American illustrator and children’s book author illustrated nearly one hundred books, her last effort being the book, Corgiville Christmas published in 2003. As far as we know, Tudor wrote and illustrated four Corgi-centri books.

Though her first book was published in 1938, it wasn’t until some 20 years later that she became smitten with Corgis. As the story goes, Tudor’s son was tutored by the owner of a Pembroke Welsh Corgi, and the dog stole young Tom’s heart. Anita Nordlunde of Switzerland picks up the story from there: “Young Tom informed his mother that he was going to save up to buy a Corgi, an announcement which was not regarded at all seriously by his mother. However, Tom cycled into Midhurst one day to pick up a kennel paper and found an advertisement for Corgi puppies, placed by a Reverend Mr. Jones who actually lived in Pembrokeshire. Tom wrote to Mr. Jones who was obviously touched by the request and who assured him he would send him a suitable puppy.”

Tom remained at at school for another year during which time his family returned to America. Tasha had forgotten all about the Corgi situation, but this changed when Tom informed her that Mr. Jones had his puppy! The pup was flown to America, and the moment Tasha saw the all-ears youngster, it was, as they say, “all she wrote.” Officially, the pup was named “Browns,” but that soon morphed into “Mr. B.,” and it was Mr. B who was the catalyst for Tasha’s affection for all things Corgis.

One or her more personal books, “Tasha and Her Corgis” published in 2008 was unfortunately published only in Japan. Its 104 pages were full of her dogs and her drawings. Still, if you happen to be in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, visit the University of Southern Mississippi where largest surviving collection of Tudor books, original artwork,  and other materials are in the de Grummond Children’s Literature Collection.