Elvira Garner’s Ezekiel of Sanford, Florida
September 2, 2008
One great, forgotten Florida author is Elvira Garner. Garner, a native of Sanford, Florida, wrote two famous children’s books of the 1930s, Ezekiel Travels and Sarah Faith Anderson, Her Book.
Ezekiel was about an African-American boy in Sanford, Florida, who lived with Mammy, Pappy and his sister Emancipation. Sarah Faith Anderson was the daughter of a missionary to the Seminoles in St. Augustine.
Today, the Ezekiel book is out of print, most probably because its characterizations were extremely dated and terribly politically incorrect. The editions are prized collectables, not only because they are about African Americans, but because they were children’s books, and few survive. If you can find one, they are an excellent read.
If you can find one before a trip to Florida, you can get a sense of the state in the 1930s. And certainly, it will make a trip on Auto-Train much more memorable, as the Florida station is in Sanford, a small city north of Orlando.
My aunt gave me a copy of this book when I was a child. It is so delightful. I used to read it to my baby sister over and over again.
If anyone is interested in purchasing it, please advise.
Thanks.
This is a wonderful little book. I have had it since I was a child. I was told by my mother that Ms. Gardner wrote at least two more books about Ezekiel but have been unable to locate them.
Correction. This is NOT the book I have. The book I have is simply entitled ‘EZEKIEL’ and the hand colored picture on front is of a carriage with the family in it with chidlren running toward it. It is signed by Mrs. Gardner. The Copright is 1937. It is the first of the three books written about Ezekiel by Mrs. Gardner.
I to have the same book signed by Garner. It was presented to Aunt Louise & Uncle Phil…
Who might this be?
My grandmother lived in Sanford, FL for more than 60 years and told me once about the book “Ezekiel’s Travels” and that she’d like to have it. At the time, I started looking in used book stores with no luck, and until today it never occurred to me to look for it online. Gigi is 87 now, and living with my mother in NC. Because the book is out of print, there’s not much out there, but I would very much like to buy a copy if someone has one to sell.
If you can help, you may reach me at michellehooker@yahoo.com
Dear Above Responders, Wondering whether anyone has one of the Garner
books to sell or knows of any such. I too enjoyed this book as a child but “Mom”
was quick to chuck anything not nailed down. Didn’t know there were three
Ezekiel books, but I bet they’re all worth checking out.
I just bought a house in Sanford, FL located on S. Park Ave. I was told that Elvira Garner lived in my house. House was built in 1906.
That’s a special treat to know that. She was a talented lady and hopefully she will be well-known again.
My grandmother gave me the book, which she bought in the Orlando bookstore, The Sandspur. My favorite story was when Ezekiel and all his family go to Silver Springs. And Silver Springs was about my favorite place to visit, where I, like Ezekiel could swim under the glass bottom boats and wave up to the people.
Skipper
I had forgotten the bit about swimming under the Silver Springs boats. Quite enchanting.