The Rose of Washington Square: A Novel of Rose O'Neill, Creator of the Kewpie Doll

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She set out to make her way in a man's world, rising from obscurity into one of the most famous women of her era.

Self-taught artist Rose O'Neill leaves the Midwest for New York in 1893, determined to become an illustrator in a field dominated by males. Mindful of her duty to the impoverished family she left behind, Rose’s obligations require her to yield to the men who hold the reins of her career; as well as the men she grows to love.

Yet despite every obstacle facing her, she excels at her craft, eventually designing a new character, the Kewpie. Her creation explodes into a phenomenon, but Rose’s disenchantment with the status quo fosters new ambitions. She must decide whether to remain within the boundaries dictated for her, or risk everything she’s gained to pursue the creative and personal passions that ignite her soul.

With grit and tenacity, Rose O'Neill blazed an unforgettable path during the tumultuous times of the early 20th century.

Other books by Pat Wahler

About the author

Pat Wahler

Pat Wahler is an award-winning author with sixteen stories in the popular Chicken Soup for the Soul series. Her work also appears in Sasee, Reader’s Digest, Kansas City Voices, Storyteller, and other publications. 
On a City Street is Pat's newest publication, and the first of a three-book series of Becker Family Novels. Her debut novel, 
I am Mrs. Jesse James earned a silver medal for regional historical fiction in the Independent Publisher Association Book Awards, was named Western Fictioneers Best First Novel, and won the Walter Williams Award for a major literary publication. It was named finalist in eight other book award competitions.
​​​​​​​She is co-author of a picture book, Midnight, the One-Eyed Cat; and has authored a mixed-media collection, Let Your Heart Be Light: A Celebration of Christmas.