Author/Illustrator Chris Van Dusen will be honored with the 11th Leslie Riedel Memorial Award for his impressive body of literary work for young people. The in person program will take place in the Forum of the Concord Free Public Library, 129 Main Street, Concord MA on Sunday, October 22 at 4 pm. Online registration will begin on September 1

The Riedel Lecture Series was created in memory of Leslie Riedel by her family and friends so that young people could meet some of their favorite authors. Past speakers of the series include children's authors/illustrators David Macaulay, Chris Van Allsburg, Jerry Pinkney, Lois Lowry, Tomie dePaola, Grace Lin, Katherine Paterson, Kate DiCamillo, Robert Sabuda and Rajani LaRocca.

Bio
Born on St. Patrick’s Day in 1960, Chris Van Dusen and his brothers entertained themselves by drawing aliens, robots, animals and monsters. Children’s authors Dr. Seuss and Robert McCloskey inspired him to study fine art at the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth after he graduated from high school. He used his talent by drawing cartoons and illustrations at a part time job at a magazine for teenagers. After working as a freelance illustrator for magazines such as Nickelodeon, Family Fun and Disney Adventures, he wrote and illustrated his first book Down To the Sea with Mr. Magee which was published in 2000. What followed is an impressively large number of books, some with illustrations for his own stories and some for other authors.

This event is made possible by the generous support of the Concord Free Public Library Corporation,
a charitable organization funded solely through private philanthropy.
Support the Corporation’s work.