Since 1969, the May Hill Arbuthnot lectureship has honoured contributors to the field of children's literature. This is a collection of ten Arbuthnot lectures held between 1980 and 1989. The volume includes background information on the lectureship and May Hill Arbuthnot.

Since 1969, the May Hill Arbuthnot lectureship has honoured outstanding contributors to the field of children's literature - authors, critics, librarians, historians and teachers. The second decade of this award is presented in ""The Arbuthnot Lectures, 1980-1989"". Included in this volume are Arbuthnot lectures by Horst Kunze, Virginia Betancourt, Dorothy Butler, Leland B.Jacobs, Fritz Eichenberg, Patricia Wrightson, Aidan Chambers, James Houston, John Bierhorst and Margaret Mahy. Also included is an introductory chapter on the background of the lectureship as well as a biographical sketch of May Hill Arbuthnot written by Zena Sutherland. This book offers the ideas and insights of some of the most distinguished members of the world of children's literature. In addition to serving as a reference document for library schools and university education departments, this volume is also a reflection of the last decade in children's literature.