Ferguson, Suzanne. The Poetry of Randall Jarrell. Baton Rouge: Louisiana State Press, 1971. Ferguson's study provides an excellent overview of Jarrell's achievements and includes a biographical sketch.

Jarrell, Randall. Randall Jarrell's Letters, edited by Mary Jarrell. Boston: Houghton-Mifflin, 1985. This compilation of Jarrell's letters offers considerable insight into his life.

Lowell, Robert, Peter Taylor, and Robert Penn Warren, eds. Randall Jarrell: 1914-1965. New York: Farrar, Straus & Giroux, 1967. This collection of essays by some of Jarrell's closest friends discusses both Jarrell's life and work.

Quinn, Sister Bernetta. Randall Jarrell.

Boston: Twayne, 1981. This extensive study of Jarrell includes an analysis of his fiction for young readers. Quinn also provides biographical details and an ample bibliography.

Updike, John. New York Times Book Review (November 14, 1976). In this review of Jarrell's Animal Family, Updike explores many components of Jarrell's fiction for young readers.