Kathleen Benson: Writing African-American children’s literature

“Draw What You See” is the latest work from award-winning children’s literature author Kathleen Benson. She will discuss the book, which focuses on the life and art of Benny Andrews on Wednesday, Jan. 13, at 4 p.m. in Room 100 of Smathers Library (East).

Andrews was a noted African-American painter who interpreted suffering and injustice, such as the Holocaust, Native American forced migration and Hurricane Katrina in his creative works. He co-founded the Black Emergency Cultural Coalition in 1969 to protest an exhibit in Harlem at which no work from African-Americans was displayed.

Benson will discuss her collaborations with Andrews and their work in social justice. She worked at the Museum of the City of New York and has authored more than 150 books for children and young adults.

The Baldwin Library Speaker Series brings to UF distinguished scholars and authors in children’s literature and the field of childhood studies. The series was founded in 2012 and has featured Peter Sis, Maria Tatar and Jerry Griswald. It is presented by the George A. Smathers Libraries at the University of Florida.

For more information about this event, please contact Suzan Alteri at salteri@ufl.edu.