Kerlan Award Luncheon & Ceremony

Join other Kerlan Friends, teachers, librarians, and children's literature aficionados as they honor Dr. Karen Nelson Hoyle during a buffet lunch and award ceremony this spring!

2012 Kerlan Award Luncheon and Ceremony
Date: Saturday, May 5, 2012
Time: Noon to 2:30 p.m.
Place: Elmer L. Andersen Library, University of Minnesota, 222 21st Ave. South, Minneapolis, MN 55455
Fee: $25 for the luncheon; the lecture is free and open to the public.

Reservations for the luncheon are required by April 23, and the registration form can be download here. There are no reservations required to attend the award ceremony.

Dr. Karen Nelson Hoyle, who will retire January 11, 2012 after more than forty years of dedicated service as the curator of the Children's Literature Research Collections, has been an outstanding scholar, teacher, and mentor to countless people who are interested in and passionate about children's literature and the people who create books for children. She has devoted her life to continuing Dr. Kerlan's vision and making it a reality.

I had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Hoyle when I donated the entirety of my book illustrations to the Kerlan Collection last year, and I can't imagine a better recipient of the award. The children's literature community just won't be the same without her! 

2011 Chase Lecture Featuring Jerry Pinkney

Caldecott Medalist Jerry Pinkney will be visiting Minnesota to deliver the 2011 Chase Lecture next week, an event that is not to be missed!

A Sense of Place, Real and Imagined with illustrator Jerry Pinkney
Date: Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Time: 4:30 p.m.
Place:  Elmer L. Andersen Library, University of Minnesota, 222 21st Ave. South, Minneapolis, MN 55455
Fee: Free and open to the public

Pinkney has illustrated over 100 children's books since 1964 and has been honored with the 2010 Caldecott Medal for The Lion and the Mouse. He has also received four Caldecott Honor Medals, five Coretta Scott King Awards, four Coretta Scott King Honor Awards, and many other awards over the course of his career. Pinkney was the American nominee for the international Hans Christian Andersen Award and the international Astrid Lindgren Award, as well as numerous other awards and prizes. His lushly beautiful watercolor illustrations have delighted millions of children and adults alike, while also educating their eyes to the beauty and intricacy of fine art.

The lecture will be followed by a reception and autographing, with book sales courtesy of the Red Balloon Bookshop. This free annual event is co-sponsored by the College of Education and Human Development, Department of Curriculum & Instruction and the Children's Literature Research Collections/Kerlan Collection, University of Minnesota. For more information, please contact Dr. Lee Galda.

2011 Kerlan Award

This is your last chance to register for this year’s Kerlan Award Luncheon! Enjoy a meal with Kerlan friends, teachers, librarians, children’s literature aficionados, and this year’s esteemed guest, author Jane Kurtz.

2011 Kerlan Award Luncheon and Ceremony
Date: Saturday, April 2, 2011
Time: Noon to 2:00 p.m.
Place: Elmer L. Andersen Library, University of Minnesota, 222 21^st Ave. South, Minneapolis, MN 55455
Fee: $20 for the luncheon; the lecture is free and open to the public.

Jane Kurtz has authored dozens of critically-acclaimed children’s books. She grew up in Maji, a small town in Ethopia, and often conveys her childhood experiences through her books. Over 17 years, Jane has donated manuscripts and materials for 35 titles to the Kerlan Collection. She will be available to sign books after her presentation.

Tomorrow is the deadline to register for the luncheon, so call (612) 624-4576 to secure your spot. There is no registration deadline to attend the Kerlan Award Ceremony. For more information, please download the event flyer.

Library of the Early Mind Film Screening

Thanks to a generous sponsorship from MELSA (Metropolitan Library Service Agency), a very special documentary is coming to the Twin Cities. Enjoy an afternoon at the movies and a grown-up conversation about children’s books!

Screening of Library of the Early Mind
Date: Sunday, March 27, 2011
Time: 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Place: Minneapolis Central Library, Pohlad Hall, 300 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, MN 54401
Fee: Free and open to everyone! Seating is first come, first served so get there early! 

Library of the Early Mind is an exploration of the art and impact of children’s literature on our kids, our culture, and ourselves. From the first stories we hear told to us to those childhood heroes that stay with us a lifetime, the impact on our culture runs deeper than what we might expect. The film features nearly 40 prominent authors and illustrators talking about their work, its genesis and its impact.

Join the film’s director Edward J. Delaney and Minnesota SCBWI members David LaRochelle, John Coy, Catherine Thimmesh, Julie Reimer, and Marsha Wilson Chall for a panel discussion after the screening.

For more information about the film, please visit www.libraryoftheearlymind.com. We hope to see you there!

CLN Books for Breakfast Recap

I hope you all enjoyed the weekend as much as I did! I’m not referring to the outcome of the Superbowl, I’m talking about a far more important annual tradition: Children’s Literature Network’s “Books for Breakfast.”

Tracy Nelson Maurer and I were invited to speak about our book, Storm Codes, to an audience of fellow authors, illustrators, media specialists, and other children’s book enthusiasts. I was very excited (and more than a bit nervous) for the opportunity to speak in front of children’s book legends like Caldecott Medalist Susan Marie Swanson, Newbery Honor winner Joyce Sidman, Debra Frasier, Lauren Stringer, David LaRochelle, and many, many other authors and illustrators. It was certainly more nerve-wracking than speaking to a classroom full of children! Fortunately, I was told we did a fine job.

Custom-made goodness! Photo by Tracy Nelson Maurer.

Since the event included a fine breakfast, we also had the opportunity to “host” a table. We dined and talked with several fine folks who appreciated all the work that went into Storm Codes, the themed gift bags and custom-made door prize, and the efforts of the event organizers. I love meeting new people!

Storm Codes-themed door prize, painted by me. Photo by Tracy Nelson Maurer.

Thanks so much to Steve and Vicki Palmquist of CLN for planning this great event! I left with full-blown “children’s book euphoria,” arguably one of the best feelings there is, and can hardly wait for next year’s Breakfast. If you’ll be in MN on February 4^th, 2012, be sure to mark the date on your calendar so you can join us.