Sharon McQueen
Doctoral Candidate
Library and Information Studies
University of Wisconsin-Madison

Thursday, September 17, 2009
12:00 noon - 1:00 p.m.

SLIS Commons
4207 Helen C. White Hall
University of Wisconsin-Madison

Abstract: Robert Lawson is the only children’s book creator to have been awarded the highest United States honors for both children’s book illustration (the Caldecott Medal) and children’s writing (the Newbery Medal). He has maintained this distinction for over sixty years. During a career that spanned four decades, Lawson created over sixty-five books, garnering additional Caldecott and Newbery Honor Book awards along the way—but The Story of Ferdinand remains his best-known and well-loved. Munro Leaf wrote the tale specifically for Lawson’s illustrative talents and the two friends enjoyed the book’s immediate success, as well as its immediate controversies. Between the World Wars Robert Lawson, along with a handful of other artists, defined children’s literature illustration. This research marks the most in-depth biographical work conducted on this titan of Mid-Twentieth Century children's book creation. The investigation also looks at the various influences of the time as they may have affected the creation and reception of Robert Lawson’s works. Spanning the fields of history, cultural studies (including print culture and popular culture), the visual arts, and literature, this highly visual presentation will appeal to many. Come join us!