Title and statement of responsibility area
Title proper
General material designation
Parallel title
Other title information
Title statements of responsibility
Title notes
Level of description
Reference code
Edition area
Edition statement
Edition statement of responsibility
Class of material specific details area
Statement of scale (cartographic)
Statement of projection (cartographic)
Statement of coordinates (cartographic)
Statement of scale (architectural)
Issuing jurisdiction and denomination (philatelic)
Dates of creation area
Date(s)
-
1974-1985 (Creation)
- Creator
- Magook Publishing Ltd.
Physical description area
Physical description
1.6 m textual and graphic records
8 audio cassettes
1 umatic cassette
Publisher's series area
Title proper of publisher's series
Parallel titles of publisher's series
Other title information of publisher's series
Statement of responsibility relating to publisher's series
Numbering within publisher's series
Note on publisher's series
Archival description area
Name of creator
Administrative history
Magook Publishing Ltd. was a Canadian children’s publisher. Headed by Marilyn Day, the company operated from roughly 1974-1985, with the peak of their activities in the late 1970s and early 1980s. They published standalone children’s books as well as a small, paperback-sized magazine, “Magook”, part book, part magazine. They published works by numerous well-known authors, including Margaret Laurence, Madeline Engel, and Farley Mowat, while also championing several new authors. Similarly, they featured unknown artists and well-known creators, such as political cartoonist, Jim Phillips, and animator, Don Arioli.
McClelland and Stewart had involvement with Magook, but the nature of this relationship is not well attested in the documentary record. M&S and other Canadian publishers were looking to cut back on children’s works, which were not profitable, and Magook was started. Despite good press and reviews, the company couldn't continue beyond the mid-1980s.
Custodial history
These records were kept by the Fosters in the course of their file keeping work for Magook Publishing Ltd. and transferred to McMaster.
Scope and content
The archive consists of the business records of Magook Publishing Ltd., including manuscripts, author correspondence, artwork, etc.
Notes area
Physical condition
Immediate source of acquisition
The fonds was acquired from Bill and Karen Foster in 2023 (2023-014).
Arrangement
The archives is arranged into the following series: (1) Business documents; (2) Promotion and press; (3) Creator files; (4) Audio-visual materials.
Language of material
Script of material
Location of originals
Availability of other formats
Restrictions on access
There are no access restrictions.
Terms governing use, reproduction, and publication
Finding aids
Associated materials
Accruals
Further accruals are not expected.
Alternative identifier(s)
Standard number
Standard number
Access points
Subject access points
Place access points
Name access points
Genre access points
Control area
Description record identifier
Institution identifier
Rules or conventions
Status
Level of detail
Dates of creation, revision and deletion
B. Whittle, 2025.
