January 15, 2008

Arne Nixon Center founding curator Angelica Carpenter was recently featured in Interrobang, the online newsletter of the Children’s Literature Network.

The article explores Carpenter’s curatorial insights and professional experience, with a focus on her commitment to children’s literature and her achievements as head of the Arne Nixon Center for the Study of Children's Literature at California State University, Fresno.

The article also looks at her dedication to expanding the center’s extensive collection of more than 45,000 books, manuscripts, periodicals, illustrations and other materials dating from 1865.

In addition to holding a position as curator of the Arne Nixon Center, Carpenter is a published children’s author who has written biographies on L. Frank Baum, Lewis Carroll, Frances Hodgson and Robert Louis Stevenson. She compiled and edited "In the Garden: Essays in Honor of Frances Hodgson Burnett." She also is president of the International Wizard of Oz Club.

Upcoming fundraising events at the Arne Nixon Center include the 2009 “Secret Garden” party that is likely to have a Beatrix Potter theme.

The center opened in the Henry Madden Library at Fresno State in April 2001.

Arne Nixon taught children's literature and storytelling for more than 30 years at Fresno State. When he died in 1997, he left the Madden Library his extensive personal collection and a bequest, including 22,000 books and other donations.

The Arne Nixon Center has developed into one of North America's leading research centers for the study of children's and young adult literature. Visitors can view the collection by appointment, 559.278.8116.

To read the article, "Fresno's Arne Nixon Center Preserves Children's Literature History" courtesy of Interrobang, click here. (PDF)