Contacts: Marlo Welshons, University Libraries, welsh066@umn.edu, (612) 625-9148
Ryan Mathre, University News Service, mathre@umn.edu, (612) 625-0552

MINNEAPOLIS / ST. PAUL (03/31/2009) -- The University of Minnesota Libraries will host two prominent children's literature authors in April.

From 1:30-2:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 8, Jane Yolen will discuss her work in "Loving the Lyric Line: A Children's Poet Talks About a Lifelong Love Affair with Poetry." Yolen is the author of more than 300 children's and young adult books and the 1988 recipient of the Kerlan Award for her generous manuscript donations to the libraries' Kerlan Collection. This event, which is free and open to the public, will be followed by a book signing courtesy of the Red Balloon Bookshop.

At 1:30 p.m. Saturday, April 25, author and illustrator Jeannette Winter will receive the 2009 Kerlan Award at a ceremony and luncheon. Winter's speech, is free and open to the public. Advance registration for the noon luncheon is requested by April 8 (cost: $20; $15 for Kerlan Friends).

Registration and Kerlan Friends membership information is available at: http://special.lib.umn.edu/clrc/whatsnew.php.

The Kerlan Award is presented annually "in recognition of singular attainments in the creation of children's literature and in appreciation for generous donation of unique resources to the Kerlan Collection for the study of children's literature."

For more information, please contact the staff of the Children's Literature Research Collections at (612) 624-4576 or e-mail clrc@umn.edu.