Dennis Lee (author)

Dennis Lee (born August 31, 1939) is a Canadian children's writer and poet who lives in Toronto, Ontario.

Related Topics:
August 31 - 1939 - Canadian - Children's writer - Poet - Toronto - Ontario

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Lee has a bachelors and masters degree in English from the University of Toronto. While a serious poet, he is best known for his children's writings. His best known work is, perhaps, Alligator Pie. He also wrote the lyrics to the theme song of the television show Fraggle Rock and, with Philip Balsam, many of the other songs for that show. He is co-writer of the story for the film Labyrinth In 1986 he won the Vicky Metcalf Award. In 1972, his Civil Elegies and Other Poems won the Governor General's Award for poetry. In 1993, he was made an Officer of the Order of Canada. In 2001 Lee became Toronto's first Poet Laureate.

Related Topics:
University of Toronto - Alligator Pie - Fraggle Rock - Philip Balsam - Labyrinth - 1986 - Vicky Metcalf Award - 1972 - Governor General's Award - 1993 - Order of Canada - 2001 - Poet Laureate

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In 1967 Lee was among those who founded House of Anansi Press and was its first editor, holding that position for five years, and helping to build Anansi into the acclaimed publisher of poetry and literature that it is today. He is criticial of modern society and education for working to restrict imagination, arguing that children are rooted in a colonial mentality.

Related Topics:
1967 - House of Anansi Press

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During the late 1960s, Lee was involved with the Rochdale College experiment in Toronto.

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