About the Center

Visitors to the Center for Children's Literature peruse available books at one of the Center's events.

The Center for Children’s Literature is located on the first floor of the Hedberg Library. With more than 25,000 volumes, the center houses a variety of children’s and young adult books, as well as tapes and CDs. The center also holds workshops, organizes reading programs, and sponsors lectures and seminars by noted authors and illustrators. Its vast collection is available to students, educators and the community.

The Center was officially launched in October 1998 to house the extensive collection of more than 17,000 volumes accumulated by Dr. John Warren Stewig, an author and promoter of children’s literature. Part of this collection was the generous gift from Prof. Bette Peltola, a longtime and highly respected professor of children's literature of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

In the autumn of 2004, Carthage welcomed the Center for Children’s Literature to campus. Dr. Stewig joined the Carthage faculty as a professor of education and became the center’s director. Each year publishers large and small send Dr. Stewig copies of their latest children’s books for his review. Dr. Stewig donates each book to the center.

Dr. Stewig is assisted by Marilyn J. Ward, Carthage professor of education; an External Advisory Board comprised of teachers, librarians, parents and members of the community who are interested in children’s literature; and a student advisory board, led by Prof. Ward.

The Center for Children’s Literature publishes a newsletter, available to Friends of the Center, detailing the center’s activities and previewing upcoming programs. Reviews of recent children’s books by teachers and librarians are posted on the center web site for parents and educators.

Visitors are encouraged to browse through the vast collection. Friends of the Center provide the center with much-needed funding and receive a special library card to borrow specific volumes, as well as other privileges.

Drafts on Display

Exhibit featured original work by children's book authors and illustrators.

Tea & Conversation

The center hosted Laura Numeroff, best-selling author of "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie" series, in September.

Seuss-a-thon

Annual Seuss-a-thon event draws book-lovers of all ages to the Center for Children's Literature.