Winterthur Museum and Country Estate will host renowned author Jane Yolen April 19-20 for a series of family events held in conjunction with the "K is for Kids" literacy exhibition. Yolen, whom Newsweek dubbed "the Hans Christian Andersen of America," is Honorary Ambassador for the exhibition, during which her body of work is being celebrated and many of her books highlighted. Jane Yolen Weekend will feature storytelling, a teacher's workshop, craft activities, and booksignings. The "K is for Kids" exhibition began in September 2007 and runs through July.


Yolen, www.janeyolen.com, is the bestselling author of more than 275 books for children. Her two newest books, Sea Queens: Women Pirates Around the World (Charlesbridge) and Naming Liberty (Philomel), display a mastery of both fiction and nonfiction. Thirteen swashbuckling female pirates leap from the pages of Sea Queens, which presents real women pirates as only Yolen can--with plenty of gusto and just enough blood and guts to suit kids ages 9-12. Yolen shares stories of the Persian Admiral-Queen Artemisia; Grania O'Malley, whose power impressed Queen Elizabeth I; Madame Ching, who commanded 2,000 ships and 70,000 men; and many more. Sidebars give juicy details about pirate exploits, while bold black-and-white engravings depict the buccaneers and privateers, galleons and longboats, treasure chests and cutlasses that make pirate stories irresistible.


The picture book Naming Liberty interweaves the story of Frederic Auguste Bartholdi and the creation of the Statue of Liberty with the story of Gitl, a young Russian Jewish girl whose family decides to emigrate to the United States. As the two narratives unfold side by side, Yolen creates a rich tapestry depicting both the immigrant experience and the artistic process. Simple, poetic language and evocative illustrations celebrate one of America's most famous monuments and a beloved symbol of freedom.


Jane Yolen's books and stories have been honored with a Caldecott Medal, a Caldecott Honor, two Nebula Awards, the World Fantasy Award, three Mythopoeic Fantasy Awards, two Golden Kite Awards, the Jewish Book Award, and two Christopher Medals. Her body-of-work awards include the Catholic Library Association's Regina Medal and the University of Minnesota's Kerlan Award, and she is the recipient of six honorary doctorates.