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.
Sad to hear that the Big Tree is gone. I only know about it from my Ezekiel book.
Ezekiel’s Big Tree fell today …. I hope he never hears about it.
The Book was read to me often by my Mom and we picnicked at the Big Tree Park often in the 60s.
During a wintry night on Long Island, New York, my Mother in a soft-voice read to me Ezekiel and of his visit to see The Big Tree. As a six-year old, I had no clue as to the profound affect that Ezekiel would have on my life!
A year passed and my Mother decided to relocate our family to Miami, Florida where she had earlier enjoyed avoiding New York winters with my sister who is ten years older than me. Driving South was a five day long adventure (1952 roads, etc.); reaching Central Florida we began to read signs simply stating “SeeThe Big Tree”.
Recalling the Ezekiel story read to me, I persistently implored that we stop to see The Big Tree. My Mother agreed and we looked with wonder at the majestic Cypress towering some 128 feet above us. It turned dark and we decided to stay in a local Motel nearby. Awakening to an orange blossom scented morning, my Mother decided to drive around and discovered a New England like town with 50-foot-tall Laurel Oak trees draped in Spanish Moss and a small Liberal Arts College (Rollins College). She decided then and there to abandon her plans to go to Miami Beach, Florida and settle instead in Central Florida!
Thus, I spent the better part of my next fifty years living and working in Central Florida. I graduated from Winter Park’s Elementary School, Glenridge Junior High, Winter Park High School, and have an undergraduate and graduate degree from Rollins College.
As Chairman of the History Department of Trinity Preparatory School I created and taught the first Afro-American History Courses in the State of Florida and taught many students who commuted from Sanford (Ezekiel’s home)!
Having most recently learned that Elvira Garner attended Rollins College for two years and resided in Sanford, Florida, it seems an incredible coincidence! Three of my children were born in Central Florida. In 1986 we enjoyed a picnic with Hand-Made Milk Shakes and Kentucky Fried Chicken while gazing in awe at The Big Tree. Were it not for “Ezekiel” and The Big Tree, none of the above would have occurred!