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Dennis Lee was born in 1939, in Toronto, Ontario. He received his B.A. and Master's degrees in English from the University of Toronto. He was awarded the 1972 Governor General's Award, one of Canada's highest literary honors, for Civil Elegies and Other Poems.

Lee continues to be best known for his collections of cleverly-rhymed children's verse. Wiggle to the Laundromat (1970) was written for his daughters, and drew upon his experiences as a parent. His other books of poems for children include Alligator Pie (1974), one of the best-selling Canadian children's books of all time; Nicholas Knock and Other People (1974); Garbage Delight (1977); and Jelly Belly (1983). He also wrote the lyrics to the theme song of the 1980's television show Fraggle Rock. In 1986 he won the Vicky Metcalf Award and in 1993 he was made an Officer of the Order of Canada. In 2001 Dennis Lee became Toronoto's first Poet Laureate.

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