DeKalb — Northern Illinois University Art Museum will be hosting three virtual lectures in relation to their Children’s Illustrated Literature Suite written by Leonard S. Marcus. 

Marcus co-created the “Golden Legacy: How Golden Books Won Children’s Hearts Changed Publishing Forever and Became an American Icon along the Way”. This book was the catalyst for the art exhibition in 2007, but has since been revamped with the addition of more classic stories and with the help some talented illustrators like Richard Scarry, Garth Williams, Tibor Gergely, Feodor Rojankovsky, Eloise Wilkin, Alice and Martin Provensen, Leonard Weisgard, Mary Blair and more. This exhibition will be on display at the National Center for Children’s Illustrated Literature Museum in Abilene, Texas, on Aug. 23 through Oct. 15.

Marcus has had an illustrious career writing children’s literature, becoming an innovator in that category. His work is used as an example for those that pursue a career in writing. Marcus’ critically acclaimed biographies, histories, interview collections and children’s literature has earned him 25 awards for best book in numerous categories. Some of his most notable work includes “Listening for Madeleine: A Portrait of Madeleine L’Engle in ‘Many Voices,’” ”Storied City,” “Show Me A Story” and “The Runaway Bunny.”

Marcus was honored with Shanghai-based Chen Bochui Foundation International Children’s Literature Award for special contributions to the development of Chinese children’s literature. Marcus became the first American to win this prestigious award in 2019.

Marcus is still a prominent author, but now his primary focus is on teaching. He teaches at New York University and the School of Visual Arts and tour exhibitions throughout the US. You can find his literary catalog in the collection of the Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library at Yale University.