U of A Clinic for Literacy to Host Award-Winning Author and Illustrator

Award-winning author and illustrator Maria van Lieshout will speak on campus as part of a special lecture presented by the U of A Clinic for Literacy.

The presentation, titled "Drawing Resistance: History, Memory, and Visual Storytelling," will feature van Lieshout discussing the true history behind her critically acclaimed graphic novel, Song of a Blackbird.

The special lecture will take place Thursday, Oct. 1, from 7-8 p.m. in Old Main's Giffels Auditorium. The presentation is free and open to the public, with a book signing to follow.

"The UA Clinic for Literacy is beyond thrilled to welcome such a talented author and artist to campus to share her work with students and faculty, teachers and students from across Northwest Arkansas, and anyone who loves books, art and stories," said Sean Connors, executive leader of the Clinic for Literacy.

Song of a Blackbird is inspired in part by van Lieshout's familial experiences during World War II, as the graphic novel uncovers the little-known story of the Dutch resistance during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands through the eyes of a young artist whose creativity becomes an act of courage.

Van Lieshout will also discuss the historical research that shaped the graphic novel, the process of transforming archival discoveries into visual narrative and the power of graphic storytelling to preserve memory, illuminate overlooked histories and deepen our understanding of the past.

"Grounded in the history of the Dutch Resistance, Song of a Blackbird broadens our understanding of what literature is and can be through its fictional story of a young artist who risks her life to help hide Jewish children from the Nazis," Connors said. "In sharing insights into her process of using images and written text to tell this story, Maria also challenges us to revisit our assumptions about what it means to read."

Her graphic novel has been named a Michael L. Printz Honor book and a longlist selection for the National Book Award.

As part of her visit, van Lieshout will also lead an interactive workshop for local school teachers, helping them explore how graphic novels can deepen inquiry, expand the ways students investigate ideas and communicate their understanding.

Teachers interested in participating in the workshop can reach out to Connors at sconnors@uark.edu to learn how to register.

The lecture is presented by the U of A Clinic for Literacy, with additional support from the Center for the Study of Childhood Art, the U of A Humanities Center, the U of A Jewish Studies Program and the Center for Children and Youth.