Zena Sutherland

Zena Bailey Sutherland (September 17, 1915 – June 12, 2002) was an influential American critic, editor, teacher, and scholar of children’s literature. Over a career spanning more than four decades she reviewed tens of thousands of children’s books, edited the Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books for nearly 30 years, wrote multiple editions of the textbook Children and Books, served as children’s book editor and columnist for the Chicago Tribune (1972–1984), and taught in the University of Chicago Graduate Library School (1972–1986). She served on many major award committees (including Newbery and Caldecott) and is commemorated by the Zena Sutherland Lecture and the Zena Sutherland Awards for Excellence in Children’s Literature.