Ben Lucien Burman (December 12, 1895 – November 12, 1984) was an American author and journalist born in
Covington, Kentucky. He also fought in both
World War I and
World War II, and graduated from
Harvard University. He was married to
Alice Caddy who illustrated many of his children's books, including his most popular books, the Catfish Bend series, which became popular with both children and adults. The series, set in Catfish Bend,
Mississippi, tells a tale of the many animal residents of Catfish Bend. It was published in eleven languages.
Big River to Cross: Mississippi Life Today, illustrated by Caddy, 1940
Miracle on the Congo: Report from the Free French Front, 1942
Rooster Crows for Day, illustrated by Caddy, 1945
Everywhere I Roam, illustrated by Caddy, 1949
Children of Noah: Glimpses of Unknown America, illustrated by Caddy, 1951
The Four Lives of Mundy Tolliver, 1953
It's a Big Country: America off the Highways, illustrated by Caddy, 1956
The Street of the Laughing Camel, illustrated by Caddy, 1959
It's a Big Continent, illustrated by Caddy, 1961
The Generals Wear Cork Hats: An Amazing Adventure That Made World History, illustrated by Caddy, 1963
The Sign of the Praying Tiger, illustrated by Caddy, 1966
Look Down That Winding River: An Informal Profile of the Mississippi, illustrated by Caddy, 1973
High Water at Catfish Bend, 1952, reprinted, 1981
Seven Stars for Catfish Bend, 1956, reprinted, 1981
The Owl Hoots Twice at Catfish Bend, 1961, reprinted, 1981
Blow a Wild Bugle for Catfish Bend, 1967
High Treason at Catfish Bend, 1977
The Strange Invasion of Catfish Bend, 1980
Thunderbolt at Catfish Bend, 1984
Cancelled Disney Film
In the late 1970s,
Disney greenlit an animated film adaptation of Burman's Catfish Bend stories with
Ken Anderson heading the project. Despite making a large amount of progress and scheduling a 1981 release date, the film was eventually shelved.
Discography
Steamboat 'Round the Bend: Songs & Stories of the Mississippi, 1956,
Folkways Records