Floyd C. Dickman, a children's literature specialist, will present "Outstanding Picture Books of 2010" on Thursday, Nov. 4, in the Kreider Room of Bluffton University's Marbeck Center.

Free and open to the public, identical hour-long sessions will begin at 2:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Sessions for Bluffton third-grade and home-schooled students will be held in the same room at 10:30 a.m. and 12:45 p.m.

"Floyd shares insights from his various roles and experience with children's literature and provides exposure to a broad range of new picture books that are worthy of Caldecott Medal consideration," said Louise Matthews, director of The Lion and Lamb Peace Arts Center of Bluffton University, which sponsors the annual program.

Dickman was a founding board member of the Bluffton center when it opened in 1987, and his collection of outstanding books for 2010 will be available for browsing there through Nov. 19.

In 1986, 1994 and 2002, he was a member of the Caldecott committee, which honors the artist of the most distinguished picture book for children. He was also a member of the 2009 Newbery Medal committee, which awards the author of the best children's book, and is a member of the 2011 committee for the Pura Belpr'e Award, presented to a Latino/a writer and illustrator whose work best portrays and celebrates the Latino cultural experience in children's literature.

Dickman, who earned a master's degree in library science from the University of Michigan, teaches at the Kent State University School of Library and Information Science's Columbus location. That's at the State Library of Ohio, where he has also been coordinator of library programs and development and the Ohio Center for the Book. He serves the University of Findlay as well, as co-director of the Mazza Museum Children's Book Center.

For more information, contact The Lion and Lamb Peace Arts Center at 419-358-3207 or [email protected], or visit www.bluffton.edu/lionlamb/.