Putting Books to Work: The 2020 Chase Lecture with Grace Lin

How can we make multicultural children’s literature more mainstream? Grace Lin, a New York Times bestselling author and illustrator, shows how we can encourage children to read books with culturally diverse characters. Using her experiences as a child, a mother, and an author as examples, Lin discusses ways that we can use books as tools to integrate diversity into our children’s lives.

Grace Lin, a NY Times bestselling author and illustrator, won the Newbery Honor for Where the Mountain Meets the Moon and the Theodor Geisel Honor for Ling and Ting. Her most recent novel When the Sea Turned to Silver was a National Book Award Finalist and her most recent picture book, A Big Mooncake for Little Star was awarded the Caldecott Honor. Grace is also an occasional commentator for New England Public Radio, a reviewer for the NY Times, a video essayist for PBS NewsHour, and the speaker of the popular TEDx talk, “The Windows and Mirrors of Your Child’s Bookshelf,” as well as hosting the two podcasts: kidlitwomen* and Book Friends Forever. In 2016, Grace’s art was displayed at the White House where Grace, herself, was recognized by President Obama’s office as a Champion of Change for Asian American and Pacific Islander Art and Storytelling. More information about Grace can be found on her website.

The event is free and open to the public. CEUs are available.

Please RSVP at z.umn.edu/Chase2020

Program:

• 5:00-5:30 Reception
• 5:30 Introductions and Announcements
• 6:00-6:45 Chase Lecture
• 6:45-7:15 Q&A and discussion
• 7:15-8:00 Book signing

Directions and information:

• Parking information
• Public transit information to Willey Hall
• Campus map

Any questions can be directed to Nick Kleese at klees023@umn.edu

The Chase Lecture honors the memory 
of Dr. Naomi C. Chase, who inspired generations of students and teachers 
to appreciate the transformative role 
of literature in young people’s lives. An annual event at the University of Minnesota, the lecture is co-sponsored by the Department of Curriculum and Instruction, College of Education and Human Development, and the Children’s Literature Research Collections, home of the Kerlan.