Laurence Yep, one of the most respected Asian American authors of children's literature, will deliver the inaugural lecture of a new series at the University of California, Davis, on Wednesday, Jan. 19.

His public lecture will be the first of the School of Education's Children's Literature Lecture Series, "Words Take Wing: Honoring Diversity in Children's Literature." Titled "My Father's Watch," it will explore time and its uses in children's historical fiction and fantasy.

Yep's visit to Davis will also include meetings with children at Patwin Elementary School and Oliver Wendell Holmes Junior High School on Tuesday, Jan. 18. And a UC Davis library exhibit will feature his works through March 25.

The author of more than 60 books, Yep is noted for his contributions to multicultural children's literature. He has received two Newbery Honors, for "Dragonwings" in 1976 and for "Dragon's Gate" in 1994. A division of the American Library Association awards the Newbery Medal and Newbery Honors annually to the authors of the most distinguished contributions to American literature for children. Yep is also author of "When the Circus Came to Town"; "The Imp That Ate My Homework," winner of the Georgia Children's Book Award; and "The Magic Paintbrush."

Joanne Galli-Banducci, a lecturer in the School of Education, said the new lecture series is proposed as an annual event in which children's authors and illustrators will share a glimpse into their art of crafting words and images. "The committee endeavors to invite authors and illustrators whose work supports children's efforts to find their voice, cultures and traditions," she said.

Yep was asked to present the first lecture, Galli-Banducci said, because of his sensitive portrayal of the outsider's perspective and the cultural adjustment that comes with crossing boundaries -- from a child with a physical disability to the immigrant experience. "He gives a lens to that perspective," she said.

"For the prospective teachers we're preparing," Galli-Banducci said, "it's critical they know worthy authors and illustrators who touch the lives of children through literature."

Students in one of the school's language arts courses are currently studying Yep, she added.

School visits

In keeping with the School of Education's goal to be closely integrated with local schools, the organizing committee has also planned opportunities for schoolchildren to meet with Yep the day before his lecture.

Yep will speak to about 300 eighth-graders in the multipurpose room at Holmes Junior High School in the morning. He will then have lunch with about 10 students in the library at Holmes. Later in the afternoon, he will speak with 200 pupils in grades four through six in the multipurpose room at Patwin Elementary School.

In an interview, Yep said he will encourage the children to gather their family stories around the dinner table and at their family get-togethers.

"That's when you join the community of storytellers," Yep said. "This continuity of storytellers spans across the generations."

Library exhibit

In connection with the lecture, the Shields Library on campus is featuring an exhibit, titled "Laurence Yep and the Making of Diversity in Children's Literature," in its lobby through March 25.

This exhibit shows how the groundbreaking books of Yep and others helped to define and develop a flourishing multicultural literature. Displayed are children's books published since the 1950s, from adventure stories and folk tales to social histories and narratives about cultural identity.

Tickets

Yep's Jan. 19 lecture at UC Davis will begin at 5:30 p.m. in the Studio Theatre of the Mondavi Center and be followed by a book sale and signing from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

A limited number of tickets are still available through the Mondavi Center Ticket Office at $10 for general admission and $5 for students.

Sponsors of the lecture are the School of Education and the UC Davis Children's Hospital in Sacramento. At a private reception, the planning committee will present several of Yep's books to a representative of the hospital for the enjoyment of its young patients.