Contact: Robbie Ward
STARKVILLE, Miss.--A nationally recognized storyteller and children's author will be the special guest Wednesday [April 18] for Mississippi State's annual Children's Reading Conference.
Kathleen D. Lindsey will discuss her work and career during a 1 p.m. public program in the John Grisham Room of the university's Mitchell Memorial Library. Following her presentation, the New Jersey native will sign copies of her popular 2003 work, "Sweet Potato Pie."
Earlier in the day, Lindsey will assume the dress and character of "Mama" to read to some 50 area pre-school students. She also will display her "Sweet Potato Pie" quilt and lead her young audience in creating their own quilts with paper.
Published by Lee & Low Books and illustrated by Charlotte Riley-Webb, the 32-page "Sweet Potato" describes the struggle by "Mama" and other family members during the 1920s to raise money and save their house and farm from creditors.
Designed to encourage children to read and develop a curiosity of the world around them, the Mississippi State conference is sponsored by the curriculum and instruction department, College of Education, Richard Holmes Cultural Diversity Center, and University Libraries.
Conference coordinator Nancy Verhoek-Miller predicted the experience of "Miss Kat's" visit will long remain with all participating students, whether they are in pre-school or a university education curriculum.
"This is something they may remember forever," the veteran professor observed.
Lindsey, who lives with her family in Clayton, N.J., also is the author of the 1992 play "A Stitch in Time." A performance highlighting the history of African-Americans before and after the Civil War, "Stitch" won the New Jersey Assembly Award.
For additional information on the conference, contact Verhoek-Miller at 662-325-3747 or nverhoek-miller@colled.mstate.edu.
For more information about Mississippi State University, see http://www.msstate.edu/.