The 2026 Zena Sutherland Lecture
Friday, May 1, 2026, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
The 2026 annual lecture to honor the legacy of Zena Sutherland and to celebrate children's literature will be presented by best-selling and award-winning author and illustrator Jerry Craft.
Craft’s New Kid won the John Newbery Medal for the most outstanding contribution to children’s literature; the Kirkus Prize for Young Readers’ Literature, and the Coretta Scott King Author Award for the most outstanding work by an African American writer. Find all of Craft’s books at Chicago Public Library here.
Craft is also the creator of Mama’s Boyz, an award-winning comic strip which won the African American Literary Award five times. He is a cofounder of the Schomburg Center’s Annual Black Comic Book Festival. He received his BFA from the School of Visual Arts.
Originally from New York, Craft now travels the world telling kids and their families about the importance of reading. His Zena Sutherland lecture will be provided virtually via Zoom.
This event is made possible with support from Chicago Public Library, the Zena Sutherland Lectureship Committee and the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools.
If you have questions or comments about Sutherland lectures, email CPLkids@chipublib.org.
The Zena Sutherland Lecture
The Sutherland Lecture honors the late Zena Sutherland, Professor Emeritus and retired editor of the "Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books."
At its heart, this gathering celebrates leading voices in children’s and young adult literature and strengthens the vibrant community that makes it all possible.
This special annual event is a space for connection, learning, and community, bringing together children’s literature professionals, educators, families, and fans.
While the lecture is designed for adults, all are welcome!
Check out past Zena Sutherland Lectures on our YouTube playlist.
The annual Zena Sutherland Lecture is co-sponsored by Chicago Public Library, the Zena Sutherland Lecture Committee and the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools.
