Ida Chittum

Ida Chittum, a native of the Ozarks, was a gifted storyteller who wrote and published many stories, funny and frightening, for children and young adults. She was also a wife and mother of five. Tales of Terror is one of her most popular collections.

Biography

Ida, who was educated through the eighth grade in a one-room school house, was a prolific reader and advocate of literacy. She was instrumental in bringing a library to her longtime home of Findlay, Ill., and was the first woman to act as commencement speaker at Findlay High School. In addition to her many books she was a popular speaker to school children.

Mrs. Chittum was born April 6, 1918, in North Canton, Stark County, Ohio.

She and her husband and family lived in various places in the United States and Panama, but her heart was in the Ozarks where she spent her childhood.

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Her love for all living things as well as her warm sense of humor are evident in her many published children's books, including "The Cat's Pajamas," "Farmer Hoo and the Baboons," "Clabber Biscuits," "The Ghost Boy of El Torro," "The Secretes of Madame Rene," "The Hermit Boy," "Tales of Terror" and "The Thing Without a Name." She received the Lewis Carol Shelf Award of the University of Wisconsin and an award of recognition for her outstanding contribution to children's literature from Central Missouri State University.

She was a popular speaker beloved by the many school children she visited along with her talking mynah, Poo Bah. She also wrote and published poetry. She was an expert storyteller who could make you laugh or shiver in horror or do both at the same time.

By her own account, the mother of five was inspired to throw down her broom and take up writing when she received a check for her first published story, "Willy's Money," in Highlights magazine.

Ida, who was educated through the eighth grade in a one-room school house, was a prolific reader and advocate of literacy. She was instrumental in bringing a library to her longtime home of Findlay, Ill., and was the first woman to act as commencement speaker at Findlay High School.

She was active in hospital work, the American Legion Auxiliary, Cub Scouts and Brownies. She was a friend to stray animals, wildlife and a tireless comforter of the sick and defender of the downtrodden.

Ida was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt and friend to many who loved her dearly.

She was preceded in death by her husband and friend, James Robert Chittum, who died March 26, 1999; her loving daughter, Rosalind Chittum-Lawrence, who died May 5, 1981; her parents, Harry A. and Lucetta Ida Klingaman-Hoover; siblings, Grace Hoover-Schrader, Ethel Hoover-Lawrence, Helen Hoover-Wilde, Charles Hoover, Robert Hoover, Lucille Hoover-Mino, Edith Hoover-Shottenkirk and Vera Hoover-Tumminelli.