“Peter Sís is internationally recognized for his contributions to the field of children’s literature and we are thrilled to recognize him and his body of work,” stated 2012 Arbuthnot Committee Chair Shawn S. Brommer.

Born in Brno, Czechoslovakia in 1949, Peter Sís attended the Academy of Applied Arts in Prague and the Royal College of Art in London. He has lived in the United States since 1982. Mr. Sís was awarded the 2008 Robert F. Sibert Medal and has illustrated three Caldecott Honor books. Peter’s work is admired throughout the world and in 2003 he was named MacArthur Fellow, an honor bestowed by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation.

The lecturer, announced annually at the 91´«Ã½ Midwinter Meeting, may be an author, critic, librarian, historian or teacher of children’s literature, of any country, who shall prepare a paper considered to be a significant contribution to the field of children’s literature. This paper is delivered as a lecture each April, and is subsequently published in Children and Libraries, the journal of ALSC. Once the name is made public, institutions wishing to host the lecture may apply. A library school, department of education in a college or university, or a public library system may be considered. Applications to host the 2012 lecture will be available online from ALSC at this spring.

Members of the 2012 Arbuthnot Honor Lecture Committee are: Chair Shawn S. Brommer, South Central Library System, Madison, Wis.; Betty B. Carter, Coppell, Texas; Caroline M. Kienzle, Seminole, Fla.; Debra A. Mitts-Smith, Children's Literature Scholar; St. Paul, Minn.; and Sylvia G. Tag, Western Washington University, Bellingham, Wash.

ALSC is the world’s largest organization dedicated to the support and enhancement of library service to children. With a network of more than 4,000 children’s and youth librarians, literature experts, publishers and educational faculty, ALSC is committed to creating a better future for children through libraries. To learn more about ALSC, visit their Web site at .

For more information on the Arbuthnot Honor Lecture and other 91´«Ã½ Youth Media Awards, please visit .

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