Julian Wehr (1898–1970) was born August Julian Wehrfritz in Brooklyn, New York. Wehr's father, August Wehrfritz, came to the United States as a German immigrant. Julian’s mother, Emielie Gertrude Tugart was born in Manhattan, New York.

      Known as the "American Master of Animated Books", Wehr invented and patented the animated children's book that contained moveable paper parts using tabs, that were read by many children in the 1940s, 50s and 60s. Wehr created over 30 animated books. Around 9 million copies of Wehr's books were sold in the United States and Great Britain, and were translated and sold in France, Germany, and Spain.

      Although animated books were a great source of pride and family income during the financially difficult years of World War II, Wehr's artistic passion was sculpting. Julian was trained at the Art Students League in New York City with many other modern artists, Mr. Wehr used a variety of media to communicate his values of equality, the importance of family and beauty in nature. A fire in 1947 destroyed Wehr's studio and two years of sculpting, save for a mahogany head sculpture of an African American man Wehr had sketched once on a New York City Subway trip.

      Mr. Wehr married twice and had four children, Camilla, David, Paul and Jeanine. He was an adoring father and was happiest when working in his studio and being with his family. From son Paul’s writings about living in Vermont: 

        “Life would thereafter become easier as Dad’s books found their market and a steady income. We could then buy a house in Roxbury in the valley below, with school two miles nearer. The farm would become our summer home and its cow barn Dad’s sculpting studio. Dad would climb the hill from town each day to create his books and sculpture, the solitary life he enjoyed.”

      Julian Wehr died in 1970 at the age of 72.

      Many and various materials documenting Wehr's creations have been collected and are stored at the University of Virginia Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library which has a section specializing in children's literature.

University of Virginia Library

Wikipedia Article on Julian Wehr