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Upcoming events: The 2023 Kerlan Award featuring Laurie Hertzel and Lauren Stringer

The Kerlan Award Committee, led by chair Alex Genis, selected two recipients of the 2023 Kerlan Award to be presented on Tuesday, October 10, 2023 at the Elmer L. Andersen Library: Laurie Hertzel, former editor of the Star Tribune Book Review and past president of the National Book Critics Circle and award-winning artist/writer Lauren Stringer. 

The Kerlan Award is given yearly in recognition of an author or illustrator’s exceptional attainments in the creation of children’s literature, support of the creators of children’s literature and/or their generous contributions and support of the University of Minnesota Libraries’ Kerlan Collection of Children’s Literature.

In four decades of journalism, Laurie Hertzel has worked as a columnist, news reporter, feature writer, news editor, editor of special projects, team leader, magazine writer and editor, and, for 15 years, the books editor at the Star Tribune. During her tenure at the Star Tribune, at a time when book review pages were shrinking and children’s materials were given short-shrift, Hertzel has been a continuous supporter for the promotion of children’s and young adult literature, free reading, and libraries as well as the work of the Kerlan Collection. Hertzel’s editorial columns engaged a community of readers often challenging dated assumptions about genre, diversity, and contemporary issues like censorship. Now, Hertzel reviews books for the Star Tribune and the Washington Post.

Award-winning author and illustrator Lauren Stringer was born in Great Falls, Montana. She studied art and art history at the University of California — Santa Cruz and did an independent study program at the Whitney Museum of American Art. For almost 30 years, Stringer has been supporting the work of the Kerlan Collection through her generous donations of manuscripts, color studies, original art, and process work. These works range from her first book she illustrated, Mary Lyn Ray’s Mud in 1996 to the more recent award-winning Looking for Smile written by Ellen Tarlow.

Please join us on October 10, 2023, at the Elmer L. Andersen Library. This hybrid event takes place in person and via livestream. Seating is limited. Please register if you plan to attend the event.

Event program:

Doors open: 5:30 pm

Program: 6-7 pm

Book signing and reception: 7-8 pm

Register for the Kerlan Award

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