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Newsletter Archive


Summer 2001

Contents



2001 Summer Forums
The 24th annual series of Children's Literature Summer Forums is co-sponsored by the Children's Literature Research Collections and University Summer Sessions.  Each 45-minute presentation will begin at 2:15 p.m. and will be followed by time for questions.  All forums are held in the Andersen Library Conference room 120, and are free and open to the public.
 
Thursday, June 28: Elizabeth Howard
Elizabeth Howard will speak about "Family Memories as Picture Books:  We all have our Aunt Flossies."

This talk will focus on Elizabeth Howard's picture books,  describing how they grew out of family stories, and presenting the idea that our family stories show how much we are all connected (all part of  the same family), how much we share, in spite of our different racial and ethnic backgrounds. Autograph session follows.

Thursday, July 12: Sue McCleaf Nespeca
Sue McCleaf Nespeca will speak about “Movable & Toy Books: Ways to Use These Popular Books to Encourage Children's Literacy Skills”
Movable & Toy Books, such as pop-up books, flap books, accordion books and shape books are very popular with children today and have been produced since the late 1800's. Hear about the history of these books with unusual design and see some historical examples. Then, hear about some of the latest great titles that are suitable to share with children. Find out how to make a simple pop-up book and a few other movables so you can share your knowledge with children, increasing their desire to write and design some of their own movables. Also to be shared are some great resource books for making movables.

Thursday, July 19: Michelle Edwards
Michelle Edwards, illustrator & author of many children’s books, will speak about her art for the third Summer Forum Event. The Kerlan Collection holds her original manuscript & illustrations for Alef-bet: A Hebrew Alphabet Book, A Baker’s Portrait, Blessed are You, Calliope, Chicken Man, Dora’s Book, Eve and Smithy, And Sunday Makes Seven and Pa Lia’s First Day. Autograph session follows.

Thursday, July 26: Patrick Jones
Patrick Jones is the author of many Young Adult reference books, including Connecting Young Adults and Libraries: A How To Do It Manual and What’s So Scary About R. L. Stine? In addition, Jones has written over 40 articles for such library professional publications as The Horn Book, School Library Journal, Voice of Youth Advocates, and The Journal of Popular Culture in Libraries. He is a frequent speaker at library conferences across the United States, as well as in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.  His topic for the fourth Summer Forum Event will be “True Grit: the New Edge in Young Adult Fiction.”
 
Thursday, August 2: Kate DiCamillo
Kate DiCamillo "How I Got Here Today and It Wasn't by Limousine."  Author of Newbery Honor Book Because of Winn Dixie and recently published The Tiger Rising. The Minneapolis author will talk about
"Why We Write; Right Reasons and Wrong Reasons." Autograph session follows.
Thursday, August 9: Keiko Hori
Keiko Hori, a doctoral student at Keio University in Japan, received media attention in Japan for her literary discovery. Searching through works by Bertha M. Clay in the Hess Collection, University of Minnesota Libraries, she found stricking similarities of a popular Japanese book and an English language story published earlier. For this Summer Forum Event, Keiko Hori will discuss her findings and the media attention she has received.

For more information about Keiko Hori see Research Based on CLRC Resources

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From The Curator

University of Minnesota Mission and CLRC Research
Research is the second mission of the University of Minnesota, along with teaching and professional outreach. The Children's Literature Research Collections (CLRC) participates fully in this triad. Fellowships bring some scholars to the campus. Researchers usually inform staff when their work based on study in the collections is published.

According to information received from users, 24 doctoral dissertations, 123 M. A. theses and MA Plan B. papers, 14 monographs, 7 Chapters in Books, 69 journal articles, 25 conference papers, and 11 other projects were based (at least in part) on CLRC resources.

In November, 2000 Keiko Hori, a doctoral student at Keio University in Japan, received media attention in Japan for her literary discovery while using CLRC resources. Searching through works by Bertha M. Clay in the Hess Collection, she found similarities between an American dime novel from the 1880s and a popular Japanese book written a decade later by Koyo Ozaki. Among the doctoral dissertations based on CLRC holdings are Jean Stevenson's The Writing Process of Theodore Taylor and Jane Yolen (1989) for a degree program at the University of North Dakota, and Nina Battistini's study of The Author and Editor Relationship between Marion Dane Bauer and James Cross Giblin.

Most of the University of Minnesota Library School's M. A. Plan B papers based on the Hess Collection holdings through the late 1970s were assigned by  Professor Raymond Shove in the Library School and focused on dime novels. English graduate student Laura Bozeman is the most recent recipient of an M.A. based on CLRC materials; she wrote about the source and development of two children's books by Nathaniel Hawthorne.

Several monographs for the publisher Twayne's Author Series brought biographers to the Kerlan Collection to study its manuscripts. Among them were Susan P. Bloom and Cathryn M. Mercer who wrote Presenting Zibby Oneal (1991) and Cosetta N. Kies, then at Northern Illinois University, for Presenting Lois Duncan (1993).

Elizabeth Baer won the 2000 Virginia Hamilton Prize for the best article on multicultural children's literature for her article on children's literature about the holocaust in last fall's issue of The Lion and the Unicorn. Victoria Yu wrote about portrayals of females in sports picture books, while Moira R. Harris described Jean Charlot's books created after living in Mexico.

"Other projects" are among the most interesting. Lyn Lacy prepared an audio visual presentation for school children about Wanda Gág and her family. A high school student Joy Otten wore a dress similar to Gág's for her one-woman entry for National History Day.

The St. Paul Foundation has funded Hess fellowships for three years. For more than a decade, the Ezra Jack Keats Foundation has provided funds for a Keats/ Kerlan Fellowship. These fellowships are usually acknowledged by the recipient in a resulting publication. Leslie Tryon, for example, worked in the Kerlan on a Keats/ Kerlan grant in 1990 and has written and illustrated thirteen children's books since then. Some of these book jacket flap notes about the author mention her fellowship study here. Children's book illustrator Constance Bergum from Montana was so taken by the Charles Mikolaycak art that she saw at CLRC that she concentrated on his work for her Master of Fine Arts in Illustration from Marywood University, Scranton, Pennsylvania last year.

Parents and teachers who visit the collection tell staff later that they have sometimes shared their Kerlan findings with family members or school children. They relate that because of this, increasing numbers of children understand that writing and illustrating a book is hard work. Research, too, is challenging, and the CLRC is fortunate to be able to provide visitors with timely retrieval of books and materials and quiet reading room space to examine them as they pursue their research.

--Karen Nelson Hoyle, Curator

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Coming Events
June 10: 2001 Minnesota Book Awards Reception.
 
June 19: 2001 Naomi C. Chase Lecture
The Twenty Second Annual Naomi Chase Lecture, "Making Picture Books My Way - From Top to Bottom," will be given by Janet Stevens on June 19, 2001, at 2:30 p.m. in 120 Andersen Library. The event is free and open to the public. Books will be available for purchase and autographing, and tea will be served following the lecture.
Janet Stevens has more than 30 picture books to her credit, with The Dish Ran Away With the Spoon a spring 2001 title. Her 1996 Tops and Bottoms was a Caldecott Honor Book, and also won the first Bill Martin, Jr. Picture Book Award as well as several other awards bestowed by both adults and children. Several of Janet's other books, including Cook-A-Doodle-Doo, To Market, To Market, Coyote Steals the Blanket, The Dog Who Had Kittens, Anansi and the Talking Melon, and Anansi and the Moss Covered Rock have won young readers' awards from several states, as well as critical acclaim from professional organizations.

July 18 - 20: In Celebration of Children’s Literature.
University of Southern Maine. Join our 20th summer of celebration children’s literature with a gathering of authors, poets, illustrators, storytellers, university faculty, librarians and teachers. This institute explores the realm of children’s books and ways to share literature with children. It is designed for teachers, librarians, consultants, curriculum directors, media specialsists, principals, and parents. It is for people who care about joining children and books.

This summer’s institue faculty includes: Diane Stanley and Patricia Lauber.  For more information, call 207-780-5326, or e-mail: dschorr@usm.maine.edu

September 15: Celebration of Minnesota Children’s Authors and Illustrators.
The Anderson Center in Red Wing is planning the second annual Celebration of Minnesota Children’s Authors and Illustrators, which will take place on Saturday September 15. The Celebration will feature readings by authors, slide presentations and talks by illustrators, bookmaking workshops for both children and parents, an extensive gallery display of book illutrations and will conclude with a question and answer period with several participating authors.

For more information, contact the Anderson Center at 651-388-2009.

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Recent Visitors
Minnesota Humanities Commission Symposium participants viewed material from the Collection on March 13.

A Children's Book Illustration class from the Minneapolis College of Art & Design viewed material from the Kerlan Collection on March 14th.

On March 21st & 22nd, Carolyn Gwinn brought her University of Minnesota classes, "Teaching Writing in the Elementary School" and "Reading, Language Arts, Literature" to the Collection. The classes viewed material by many different children's book authors.

Brigid McMonigel visited the Collection from St. Catherine's to research Madeline L'Engle and view some of her works on March 22.

On April 13, University of Minnesota student Jessica Drapcho examined material in the Kerlan Collection concerning sports, swimmers, and Gertrude Ederle for her class in Kinesiology.

Patricia Whitmann visited the Kerlan Collection to browse through picture books and illustrations.

In early May, Thomas Swallen, a retired faculty member of the University of Minnesota, came to the Collection to read books and poems by Laura E. Richards.

Barbara Hunter, from Bemidji State University, came to the Kerlan Collection to enrich her Language Arts course in children's literature.

Thirty students in 8th grade from Minnetonka Middle School came to the Kerlan Collection on May 25th. They thoroughly enjoyed Clement Hurd's original illustrations for Goodnight Moon, and Lois Lowry's manuscript for The Giver.

Author & illustrator, Leslie Tryon visited the Collection in May. She showed the CLRC staff and other guests illustrative methods she uses while illustrating her children’s books. She also signed her books that are held in the Collection.

On May 3rd, Nancy Johansen brought her Macalester College class “Art in Children’s Books” to the Kerlan Collection. The class viewed material from works by James Marshall, Charles Mikolaycak, Tomie dePaola, along with many others.

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Kerlan Award Publication
If you've noticed board member Ruth Berman working almost every day in the Kerlan Reading Room, it's because she's researching, writing, finding illustrations for, and compiling, the book of Kerlan Award Speeches the Kerlan Friends is publishing. A special publication party is being planned
for October 27, 2001. Look for further information in the fall Newsletter.

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Kerlan Friends Memberships
New Members of the Kerlan Friends from February 22, 2001 - May 14, 2001
Ruth Ann Moldenhauer, Nancy K. Johansen, Nina Battistini, Richard J. Uphoff, University of St. Thomas

Kerlan Friends Renewals & Gifts from February 22, 2001 - May 14, 2001
3M Foundation, Inc., Debra E. Frasier, Kathie Krieger Cerra, Ruth Berman, Karen Ritz, Kelly Dupre, Loucile Heckman, Karen Hoyle (in memory of David Berninghausen) Mazine L. McCormick, Jane A. Paulsen, Joan O. Mason, Nancy C. Romslo,  H. E. Mason, Aino M. Husen (in honor of Karen Hoyle)

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Research Based on CLRC Resources
On April 11, Pat Snodgrass came in to research "secondary characters as a window to define main characters" for her master's thesis at Vermont College/Norwich University.  Her advisor for her MFA is Marion Dane Bauer.

Susan Marie Swanson visited the Collection to research Richard Wilbur for an article that will appear in the Riverbank Review.

Baer, Elizabeth R. "A New Algorithm in Evil: Children's Literature in a Post-Holocaust World."  The Lion and the Unicorn 24.3 (2000): 378-401.

Bozeman, Laura B. Myth in Hawthorne's Wonder Book and Tanglewood Tales. MA  Plan B Paper, English Department.

Paul, Megan. The Evolution of Mother Goose. Honors Thesis, English Department.
 
Researcher Makes Discovery
Keiko Hori, A doctoral student in Japan who visited the Hess Collection annually during several summer breaks, discovered that Koyo Ozaki’s (1868-1912) best seller Konjiki Yasha (The Golden Demon) has many similarities to Weaker than a Woman, Number 106 in New Bertha Clay Library published in the 1880s in a dime novel series. The Japanese story appeared serialized in The Yomiuri Shimbun [Newspaper] for six years beginning in 1897.

Twenty other newspapers in Japan reported the finding recently in both Japanese and English. Ms. Hori shared the news first with The Yomuri Shimbun, since it was the newspaper that published the story first, more than a hundred years ago.

Koyo Ozaki wrote both novels and poetry at a time when literary plagiarism was acceptable practice in Japan. Bertha M. Clay was the pseudonym for several writers of “potboilers” published in Dime Nevels before 1900.

Later, plays, movies and songs made the “Bertha Clay” plot even more famous. Ms. Hori noted that in both stories a beautiful young woman engaged to man of lesser social standing decides to marry a rich man. Afterwards, she regrets her decision, attempts to reconnect with her former fiance, and is rejected.

J. Randolph Cox, a retired St. Olaf College librarian, assisted her by locating and mailing to her in Japan, information to help her in her research.

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Recent Acquisitions
MS-manuscripts, IL-illustrations; Published titles are indicated by italics.  These materials have been donated by the authors and/or illustrators, or their families.  Titles for which additional materials have arrived are not listed if already reported in The Kerlan Collection: Manuscripts and Illustrations (1985) or in previous newsletters.

Bunting, Eve: MS Dandelions; December; Ducky; I am the mummy Beb-Nefer; On call back mountain; Pumpkin fair; Rudi’s pond; Some frog! Sunflower house; Your move

Fiammenghi, Gioia: MS A collection for Kate; It’s about time, Max

Laden, Nina: IL Roberto, the insect architect

Mazer, Norma Fox: MS Good night, Maman

McNamee, Graham: MS Nothing wrong with a three-legged dog

Murphy, Stuart J.: MS Betcha! A fair bear share; Rabbit’s pajama party

Napoli, Donna Jo: MS Three days

Rand, Gloria: MS Aloha, Salty! The cabin key; Fighting for the forest; A home for Spooky; Salty sails north; Salty takes off

Rand, Ted: IL Baby in a basket; The cabin key; Fighting for the forest; Jezebel’s spooky spot; Let’s play rough! Mailing May; Mama and Me and the Model T; The memory string; Nutik and Amaroq play ball; Nutik, the wolf pup; Once upon a farm; With a dog like that, a kid like me...

Saint James, Synthia: IL No mirrors in my Nana’s house

Taylor, Theodore: MS Ice drift

Thomas, Jane Resh: MS The American Book Awards; Auction; Celebration! Chicken killing; It started with Eve; The lesson; Essay for The most wonderful books; Orphan; The snoop; Wheels

Tryon, Leslie: IL Albert’s Christmas

Winthrop, Elizabeth: MS Promises

Yolen, Jane: MS Milk and honey: a year of Jewish holidays

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2001 Minnesota books award winners
 
The Friends of the University of Minnesota Library cordially invite you to a reception honoring the winners of the 2001 Minnesota Book Awards. This event is on Sunday June 10th from 2 - 4 p.m. at the Elmer L. Andersen Library.

This event will feature Mary Casanova, The Hunter and Curse of a Winter Moon; Sheila Coghill and Thom Rammaro, Visiting Emily: Poems Inspired by the Life and Work of Emily Dickinson; Ray Gonzalez, Turtle Pictures; and Mary Logue, Curse of a Winter Moon. Mary Ann Grossmann, host, from the St. Paul Pioneer Press will introduce the authors and call each to read a selection from their work. The University Bookstore will have the 2001 Minnesota Book Awards winners' books on hand for purchase and signing.

The Kerlan Collection has manuscript material for four of Mary Casanova's books, Moose Tracks, Riot, Stealing Thunder, and Wolf Shadows. For more information, please contact Lanaya Stangret at 612-624-9339 or stangret@tc.umn.edu.

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Kerlan Friends Board
President: Bette Peltola

Vice-President (President Elect): Karen M. Bihrle

Financial Secretary: Walter Peik

Secretary: Anne Gray Weber

Board Members:
Christine Dyrud
Sheila Fitzgerald
Norma Gaffron
Nancy Hof
Julie Jensen
Grace Kurtz
Phyllis Mattill
Dianne Monson
Diana Swanson
Anne Weber
Karen Nelson Hoyle, ex-officio

Committees
Book of Kerlan Award Speeches Chair: Ruth Berman

Education/Outreach Chairs: Sheila Fitzgerald & Dianne Monson

Kerlan Award Chair: Walter Peik

Kerlan Essay Award Chair: Julie Jensen

Membership Chair: Karen M. Bihrle

Membership Meeting & Summer Program Chair: Grace Kurtz & Phyllis Mattill

Publicity & Marketing Chair: Norma Gaffron

Ex-officio: Karen Hoyle

The Friends of the Kerlan Collection act as advocates for the Collection by encouraging use of and by financially supporting this rare and unique resource.



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The CLRC Kerlan Collection is an internationally recognized center of research in the field of children's literature. The Collection contains original materials, including manuscripts, artwork, galleys, and color proofs for more than 9,000 children's books. These materials represent eight decades of American children's books and selected books published in other countries. The Collection also includes more than 80,000 children's books.

This Summer Newsletter is co-sponsored by Kerlan Friends, CLRC, and a Minnesota Humanities Commission grant for networking

Editor: Karen Nelson Hoyle
Production Editor: Jennifer Hanson
Proof-reader: Dr. Edward B. Stanford

Children's Literature Research Collections University of Minnesota 113 Andersen Library 222 - 21st Avenue South Minneapolis, MN 55455 Telephone: 612-624-4576 FAX: 612-626-0377 E-mail: CLRC@tc.umn.edu
http://special.lib.umn.edu/clrc/
Please make an appointment during Summer semester

URL: http://special.lib.umn.edu/clrc/summer01.html
Copyright 2001 by the Regents of the University of Minnesota, University Libraries
Send comments to clrc@tc.umn.edu.
Last revision:5/25/01
The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity educator and employer.