A moving, entertaining, funny and informative memoir about Walter McVitty Books, a distinguished children's book publishing house which Walter began in 1985. A Life in Children's Books also recounts Walter's earlier life, from his childhood to his distinguished career in teacher education and children's literature.

Walter McVitty, born in Melbourne in 1934, enjoyed a career as a teacher and school librarian before becoming Senior Lecturer in Children’s Literature at Melbourne Teachers’ College where he taught for 15 years. In 1985, with his wife Lois, he began a new career when he set up his own small company, Walter McVitty Books, to specialize in the publication of children’s books. Through a policy of staying small and selective, accepting only quality writing and illustration, and aiming for high editorial, design and production standards, his publishing venture flourished. His books won a number of design and literary awards in Australia and overseas and Walter McVitty Books titles appeared in 14 different languages around the world.

In 1995 Walter was appointed Member of the Order of Australia for service to the arts, particularly as an educator and publisher of children’s literature. He sold Walter McVitty Books to Lothian Books in 1998 and is now retired. Walter and Lois have been living in Queensland for the past eleven years but have now relocated to Red Hill, Victoria, to be close to their seven grandchildren.