April 30, 1993

Press Contact: John Sullivan (202) 707-9216
Lucy Suddreth (202) 707-9191

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Library of Congress To Honor Austrian Illustrator

The Children's Literature Center in the Library of Congress will present its celebration of International Children's Book Day on Friday, May 21, at 7:30 p.m. in the Mumford Room of the Library's James Madison Memorial Building, 101 Independence Avenue, S.E., Washington, D.C. It will feature a conversation between Lisbeth Zwerger, the internationally acclaimed Austrian illustrator, and Sybille A. Jagusch, chief of the Children's Literature Center.

Miss Zwerger, who lives in Vienna, Austria, has been recognized throughout the world for her sensitive interpretations of classic tales by Hans Christian Andersen, Wilhelm and Jakob Grimm, O. Henry and others. Her numerous awards include the International Graphic Prize, Children's Book Fair, Bologna (1978, 1980, 1982, 1986, 1987); the New York Times Ten Best Illustrated Books (1982, 1983); the Golden Apple, Biennale Bratislava (1985), and the Austrian Children's Book Award (1987).

In 1990 she received for the body of her work the coveted Hans Christian Andersen Medal for Illustration, one of the two "Little Nobels" awarded every two years by the International Board on Books for Young People. In the mid-1960s, the organization, at the instigation of founder Jella Lepmann, established International Children's Book Day to commemorate the birthday of Hans Christian Andersen, the noted Danish storyteller.

The Children's Literature Center's annual celebration of International Children's Book Day is sponsored by the Ezra Jack Keats Foundation, which was established by Mr. Keats to encourage creativity in the arts. Among artists of international acclaim who have been honored recently are Leo Lionni and Antonio Frasconi.

The Children's Literature Center was established in 1963 in the Library of Congress to provide reference and bibliographic assistance to children's book authors and illustrators, publishers, librarians and scholars and to encourage recognition of excellence in literature for children.

The May 21 event is open to the public, but reservations are required. Call (202) 707-5535 for information and reservations.

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PR 93-064
5/7/93
ISSN 0731-3527