Lisa Rowe Fraustino, a critically acclaimed and award-winning author of young adult and children’s books, has been appointed director of the graduate programs in children’s literature at Hollins University. She succeeds Amanda Cockrell, who has led the program since 1992 and is retiring from the position in August 2018.
“Lisa brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the director’s role, including an impressive record of accomplishment in both academic scholarship and creative writing,” said Patricia Hammer, Hollins’ vice president for academic affairs. “We are thrilled that she will continue Amanda’s extraordinary work with this well-respected program.”
Among Fraustino’s academic publications are two guest-edited issues of scholarly journals, the ChLA Quarterly and Children’s Literature in Education; a co-edited book of essays, Mothers in Children’s and Young Adult Literature; and the 2016 ChLA Article Award-winning essay, “The Rights and Wrongs of Anthropomorphism in Picture Books,” published in Ethics and Children’s Literature.
Her creative work includes Ash: A Novel, which was named an ALA Best Book for Young Adults; The Hickory Chair, a highly praised picture book; and The Hole in the Wall, winner of the 2010 Milkweed Prize for Children’s Literature.
Fraustino has also served in a number of leadership positions within the Children’s Literature Association, including president and chair of the Phoenix Award Committee, and within the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.
Fraustino has been a visiting associate professor in the graduate programs in children’s literature at Hollins since 1995 and is currently a professor in the English department at Eastern Connecticut State University. She earned her Ph.D. in English literature from Binghamton University with a focus on children’s literature, contemporary fiction, and composition.
Photo Credit: Nick Lacy
