Books As Gifts are Always a Hit

Special Collections recently received a gift from the State Library of Maine – a first edition of Shaggycoat: The Biography of a Beaver by Clarence Hawkes, published by George W. Jacobs & Co. in 1906. This is not the first time this well-loved copy was gifted. Its inscription reads,

Chester A. Baker.

Christmas 1909.

From S.J.B.

Shaggycoat is one of many children’s nature books written by blind naturalist Clarence Hawkes, who was known for writing Black Bruin: The Biography of a Bear, and Shovelhorns: The Biography of a Moose. Hawkes primarily wrote about wildlife in New England and was highly regarded for his scientifically accurate descriptions of animals in nature. Hawkes attended Perkins School for the Blind, having lost his sight in a hunting accident when he was 13 years old. According to the Perkins Archives Blog, Hawkes became friends with Helen Keller. Keller felt Hawkes was unmatched in his writings on nature and praised his colorful, captivating narrations of life in the great outdoors.

This adventurous tale of a beaver’s life with his animal friends in the wilds of Canada can be found in our catalog; it is also available along with dozens of Clarence Hawkes’ other works in the public domain.

It is easy to see why Shaggycoat made for an excellent children’s Christmas present at the turn of the century. We here at the State Library feel that the holiday season is still the perfect time to gift loved ones, both young and old, the joy of reading. We wish you warm, safe, and happy holidays, hopefully curled up beside a fire with a good book!

Work consulted:

Coit, Susanna. “Patience, perseverance, and pluck: Clarence Hawkes, the blind naturalist.” Perkins Archives Blog, Perkins School for the Blind, Watertown MA. June 19, 2020.


Alyssa Persson
Special Collections Processing Librarian