History
Begun by two professors in the School of Library and Information Science, the first book festival was held in 1968 to celebrate the opening of the de Grummond Children's Literature Collection.
The spirit of celebrating children's books, authors, and illustrators has continued through the years. Awarding of the Southern Miss Medallion to outstanding authors and illustrators enriches the festival's celebration of literature for youth.
The first Southern Miss Medallion was awarded in 1969 to Lois Lenski. This year the festival celebrates the 40th Medallion recipient, Pat Mora. For a complete history of the festival, click here. For a list of all the medallion winners, click here.
Past Year's Festival Programs:
Other Materials:
- 40th Anniversary Keepsake Booklet-
including biographies and pictures of past medallion winners
Past Speakers
Since the beginning, the Children's Book Festival has sought to serve as a platform for exploring the growing interest and scholarship in children's literature.
The festival is a major draw for authors, illustrators, publishers, scholars, and enthusiast in children's literature. For a list of the festival's past speakers, click here.
