Josephine Cunnington Edwards

Josephine Cunnington Edwards was a prolific Adventist author who enthusiastically told stories to children emphasizing morality and Christian character. Over her career she was an missionary, educator, author, and sought after public speaker. She spoke 5 languages fluently including the Zulu dialect of Chinyanga.

Born in 1904, Mrs. Edwards began her writing career at the age of 30 while attending college. She is known to have authored over 34 books, most of which are listed below. She passed away in 1993 at the age of 88-years old. She loved people, and people loved her. Although she is missed today, when God gathers his people in heaven there is little doubt that Josephine will be sharing stories again.

A biographical history is available now at Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Josephine_Cunnington_Edwards

SPEAKING TOURS

Although her books are riveting, her story-telling style was so energetic that she was so sought after that in an Oct 20, 1970, story in the Lake Union Herald reported that she was traveling 52-weeks a year to attend speaking engagements throughout the US and Europe.

The Michigan Conference of Seventh-day Adventist's Grand Ledge Camp Meetings held each July were the largest Adventist gatherings of the day. During this era the Michigan Conference often arranged for Mrs. Edwards to attend and speak especially Primary and Junior children attending camp meetings. The Michigan Conference recorded many of those meetings and cassettes were made available for purchase at the on-site Adventist Book Center (ABC) for a minimal fee to cover costs. As such, the Michigan Conference retained the copyright of those recordings because of the "for hire" compensation arrangement. Never-the-less these speaking engagements were particularly beneficial to authors like Mrs. Edwards because they allowed the author the ability to engage one-on-one with readers who often purchased the author's books at the Michigan ABC bookstore who would open a temporary store on the campground and host numerous authors daily for face-to-face visits and book signings.

AUDIO RECORDINGS

Below is a list of audio recordings that have been restored and and digitally remastered. Fell free to download and listen to this gifted story-teller. Perhaps if you hear some of her stories, you may be interested in purchasing some of her books.

If you have other recording that we can share, please let us know.

MagnaFine was a brand name of a quality cassette tape manufactured by Studio 91, a subsidiary of WAUS radio in Berrien Springs, MI, home of Andrews University.

BOOKS

In 1974, the Walla Walla Union-Bulletin newspaper quoted her as saying that her mornings were always saved for writing and that families were her target audience[19]. Her first book, Loom o’ Life, was published in 1934. Her most popular books included the Enchanted Pillowcase, a story about an African orphan named Alice Princess whom Mrs. Edwards “adopted” to save her from a marriage to an old man who offered the most cows as a bride price. Other popular books included Malinka is the story of an African sold three times into slavery, once by his own father; and Swift Arrow - a story about a young pioneer boy who is captured by Indians and raised as the son of a mighty chief.

Edwards loved to write and it was reported that she authored 34 books and numerous published articles but after extensive research we have only been able to list 28-books (shown below). If you are aware of any books missing from our list, please let us know.

Books Written by Josephine Cunnington Edwards:

Loom o' Life, Pacific Press, 1933
Bricks for Sale, Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1937 (Available for free viewing online)
The Enchanted Pillowcase, and Other Stories, Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1953
Tales from Africa, Southern Publishing Assn, 1956
On the Porch of the Old Witch, Voice of Prophecy, 1957
Reuben's Portion, Review and Herald Publishing Association/Southern Publishing Assn, 1957
Children Can Be Taught, Southern Publishing Assn, 1960
I Saw Thee Philip, Southern Publishing Assn, 1960
Lydia; a Seller of Purple, Southern Publishing Assn, 1960
Unto a Knowledge of the Truth, Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1961
In Your Steps; Manners for Children and the Power of Parental Example, Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1963
These Commandments Are Mine, Southern Publishing Assn, 1963
Wings of Faith, Southern Publishing Assn, 1964
Kamwendo, Southern Publishing Assn, 1966
Pioneers Together; a Biography of Roy F. Cottrells, Southern Publishing Assn, 1967
Sibande and Other Stories, Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1967
Swift Arrow, Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1967
And I John Saw, Southern Publishing Assn, 1969
A Light Shining in Cornwall, Southern Publishing Assn, 1969
And I John Saw, Southern Publishing Assn, 1969
Secret in the Hayloft, and Other Stories, Southern Publishing Assn, 1969
Johnnie, Come Home, Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1969
Son of Vikings, Southern Publishing Assn, 1972
The Egg Money Book: And Other Stories, Leaves-of-Autumn Books, 1976
Malinki of Malawi, Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1978
With An Holy Calling, Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1979
Faded Love (Formerly Titled Unto a Knowledge of the Truth), Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1989
Teaching Old Fashioned Values to New Fashioned Kids, Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1992