Published by Communications and Public Affairs (519) 824-4120, Ext. 56982 or 53338
News Release
June 06, 2000
Renowned children's author to receive honorary degree
Robert Munsch, one of Canada's best-known children's authors, will receive an honorary degree from the University of Guelph June 14 during summer convocation ceremonies.
Munsch will receive an honorary doctor of letters degree at 10 a.m. and will give the convocation address during ceremonies for the College of Social and Applied Human Science on Johnston Green. Munsch, a former member of Guelph's Department of Family Relations and Applied Nutrition, has written 33 children's books, many of which have been translated into other languages. His book Love You Forever was the best-selling children's book in Canada from 1986 to 1988. In 1994, the New York Times named it the best-selling children's picture book in the United States, with eight million copies sold. Others of his books, notably The Paperbag Princess, have appeared in several university curricula dealing with children's literature as well as women's studies. Munsch also does voice recordings of his work, and many of his stories have been released as video animation.
The author is known for his background in early childhood education and for being a gifted teacher, both at the preschool and university levels. Many of his stories originate as improvisations in front of live audiences of young children whose reactions shape the stories as they develop. Munsch studied at Fordham University, Boston University and Tufts University. He received the Order of Canada in 1999 and was named Canadian Booksellers Association Author of the Year in 1991.
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