Robbie Robertson and David Shannon featured in Closing General Session, 2015 ALA Annual Conference
For Immediate Release
Mon, 06/08/2015
Contact:
Amy McGuigan
Conference Manager
Conference Services
American Library Association
CHICAGO — An exciting conversation with Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Robbie Robertson and Caldecott Honor-winner David Shannon ("No, David!") will close out the 2015 ALA Annual Conference & Exhibition after current ALA President Courtney L. Young passes the gavel to the 2015-2016 ALA President, Sari Feldman, and introduces the new division presidents. The Closing General Session takes place from 9:30 - 11 a.m. on Tuesday, June 30 in the Moscone Convention Center.
Robertson and Shannon will talk about their new book "Hiawatha and the Peacemaker." Written in a lyrical voice and paired with arresting oil paintings, the book will both fascinate and educate young students and patrons about Native American history.
Robertson was the lead guitarist and primary songwriter of the legendary musical group The Band. Born of Mohawk and Cayuga descent, he learned the story of Hiawatha and his spiritual guide, the Peacemaker, as part of the Iroquois oral tradition. Hiawatha was a strong and articulate Mohawk chosen to translate the Peacemaker’s message of unity for the five warring Iroquois nations during the 14th century. This message not only united the tribes but also forever changed how the Iroquois governed themselves—a blueprint for democracy that would later inspire the authors of the U.S. Constitution. Shannon is the internationally-acclaimed illustrator of numerous bestselling books for children, and his illustrations have appeared in a wide variety of publications including The New York Times, Time, and Rolling Stone.
Robertson and Shannon’s appearance at ALA Annual Conference is sponsored by Abrams Books for Young Readers.
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