Virginia Lee Burton's "Little House" in Popular Consciousness: Fuelling Postwar Environmentalism and Antiurbanism?

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This article considers the significance of Victoria Lee Burton’s authorship, specifically The Little House, for lifestyle preferences and the development of environmental consciousness in the postwar period. The article argues that Burton deliberately designed her work to evoke country-friendly sensibilities and ambiences in her audience and portrayed the city in troublesome ways. The enduring success of The Little House for young audiences suggests that Burton struck a chord. Burton’s origins and upbringing probably also infused her depiction of a cosmopolitan rural idealism. Burton’s importance for modern environmentalism deserves greater recognition than it has received and may bear comparison to that of Rachel Carson.
Original languageEnglish
JournalJournal of Urban History
Volume37
Issue number4
Pages (from-to)562-582
ISSN0096-1442
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2011

ID: 14613432