author
Allen Chaffee
1884–1985
Best known for lively children's stories about animals, wilderness, and adventure, this prolific writer published under the name Allen Chaffee after adopting her maternal grandfather's surname as both a pen name and, later, her legal name. Born in Iowa and later described as an American-born British author, she wrote books that often brought young readers close to the natural world.
6 Audiobooks
Chinook, the Cinnamon Cub
by Allen Chaffee
The Adventures of Fleet Foot and Her Fawns A True-to-Nature Story for Children and Their Elders
by Allen Chaffee
Unexplored!
by Allen Chaffee
Fuzzy-Wuzz, a little brown bear of the Sierras
by Allen Chaffee
Sitka, the snow baby
by Allen Chaffee
The adventures of Twinkly Eyes the little Black Bear
by Allen Chaffee
About the author
Born Antoinette Gurney on May 4, 1884, in Quincy, Iowa, she became known to readers as Allen Chaffee. Sources agree that she used her maternal grandfather's name as a pen name and legally adopted it in 1919. She is also described as a graduate of Wellesley College.
Allen Chaffee wrote a large body of children's fiction, much of it centered on animals, forests, mountains, and outdoor adventure. Titles associated with her include Adventures on the High Trail, Trail and Tree Top, Chinook, the Cinnamon Cub, Sitka, the Snow Baby, and The Adventures of Fleetfoot and Her Fawns. She also adapted familiar classics for younger readers, including The Story of Hiawatha.
She lived a remarkably long life, dying on February 13, 1985. Even now, her work stands out for its warm, accessible storytelling and its clear affection for wildlife and the natural world.