Children’s Literature Conference

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Join us for the 39th Annual Children’s Literature Conference Turn Up The Volume: Rocking Reading In Every Classroom. National reading scores are declining, a stark reality we must address. While discussions often emphasize decoding, phonics, and comprehension, a crucial element is frequently overlooked: reading volume. Compelling research consistently demonstrates that the sheer amount of time spent reading, both in and out of the classroom, is a powerful predictor of reading proficiency, vocabulary development, and overall academic success.

2025 Conference List Of Guest Speakers

Author

June 26
In-Person

Author/Illustrator

June 26
In-Person

Author/Illustrator

June 25
In-Person

Author/Illustrator

June 27
In-Person

Author

June 26
In-Person

Author

June 26
In-Person

Author/Illustrator

June 25
In-Person

Author/Illustrator

June 25
In-Person

Author

June 25
In-Person

Author/Illustrator

June 27
In-Person

Author/Illustrator

June 27
In-Person

Author/Illustrator

June 27
In-Person

Author

April 29
Virtual Author Visit 1 p.m.
Virtual Happy Hour 4 p.m.

Author/Illustrator

April 30
Virtual Author Visit 1 p.m.
Virtual Happy Hour 4 p.m.

Author/Illustrator

June 25
In-Person

Author/Illustrator

June 26
In-Person

Author/Illustrator

May 6
Virtual Author Visit 1 p.m.
Virtual Happy Hour 4 p.m.

Author/Illustrator

May 29
Virtual Author Visit 1 p.m.
Virtual Happy Hour 4 p.m.

Author/Illustrator

June 25
In-Person

Author/Illustrator

June 26
In-Person

Author

June 26
In-Person

Author/Illustrator

June 27
In-Person

Author/Illustrator

June 25
In-Person

Author/Illustrator

June 26
In-Person

Author

June 26
In-Person

Conference & Credit Registration

Attend the Children’s Literature Conference events and class to learn from world-renowned, award-winning authors and illustrators, and literacy leaders, and earn 3 hours of graduate credit!

To earn 3 graduate credits, registrants must participate in both the virtual and in-person sessions.

You will have access to all of the 2025 Children’s Literature Conference virtual events, and will be required to attend the in-person sessions (June 25-27, 2025). Course requirements:

  • Attend a minimum of 8 author visits & keynote talks (all virtual author visits and keynote sessions will be recorded; you can choose to attend live via Zoom webinar, or watch the recorded session within 2 weeks of the event)
  • Attend a minimum of 5 live virtual Happy Hours with authors via Zoom webinars (Happy Hours are not recorded. Door prizes are awarded during each Happy Hour. You must be present during the live Happy Hour webinar to win.)
  • Attend all 3 in-person dates from June 25-27, 2025 on Shenandoah University’s main campus in Winchester, VA

You will also be required to submit a reflection journal discussing insights gained during virtual and in-person conference sessions and an annotated bibliography of children’s books or a documented paper investigating some aspect of topics addressed during the conference.

Reflection journal due date: August 29, 2025
Transcripts due date: September 26, 2025

Attend Without Earning Credit

An all-star lineup of authors and illustrators will be available for live webinars. Your students can meet the authors of the books they love when you register for an Author Visit. Group rates are available for 11+ teachers at one school. Corresponding Happy Hour with the speaker included with the purchase of all Author Visits.

After the students have left for the day, join other educators for a live virtual conversation with the speaker. Learn the story behind the stories. Q & A time and door prizes will add to the joy!

Purchase of a Virtual Pass will provide access to all virtual 2025 sessions. Certificates of participation will be provided to Virtual Pass holders for actual hours of participation.

Our in-person conference will be held June 25-27, and the in-person conference will highlight award-winning authors and illustrators. The in-person events will include keynote addresses, author round-tables, small group breakout sessions, meet and greet opportunities, receptions, and plenty of story-filled fun, which will do your heart good.

All Access Pass purchase includes all in-person and virtual events.

EVENTPRICE
Virtual Author Visit 
(per classroom, per author)
$20

In-Person Pass
(per person, for in-person events only)

$220

Virtual Pass
(per person, for virtual events only)

$190
Author Visit 
group rate: (group rate, virtual, 11 or more classrooms at 1 school)
$199

All Access Pass
(includes all 2025 Children’s Literature Conference virtual and in-person events)

$290
3 Graduate Credit Hours

$770

A limited number of single rooms with board are available on campus for $95 per night

  • Check-in: 6/24, check-out 6/27/25.
  • Rate includes Tuesday dinner through Friday lunch in the Allen Dining Hall.
  • All rooms include private bath & air conditioning

For more information, please email infoclc@su.edu

3 Graduate Credit CLC Course: No refunds after 4.28.25
All Access Pass: 
No refunds after 4.28.25
Virtual Pass: 
No refunds after 4.28.25
In-Person Pass: 
No refunds after 6.24.25
Individual CLC Events:
 No refunds

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Karen Huff

Children’s Literature Conference Faculty

Dr. Karen Huff

Dr. Karen Huff is the coordinator of the B.Ed Elementary Education and the MS in Literacy Education programs at Shenandoah University.  In addition to teaching at the university level, she has taught elementary and nursery children and has also conducted numerous workshops for parent groups and in-service training.

Ms. Danielle Henzler

Danielle Henzler is the director of the Maureen Sullivan Curriculum Center at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA, a preK-12 resource room for anyone in the campus community working with children.  She has been teaching graduate and undergraduate children’s literature courses at the university for the past 19 years and has presented at numerous literacy conferences. 

Children’s Literature Conference in the Media

Shenandoah Receives Largest-Ever Claude Moore Grant

Funds Will Support Literacy-Promoting Efforts

Shenandoah Brings The Best Creators of Children’s Literature To Classrooms Nationwide

Virtual visits kick off 38th Children’s Literature Conference, which will conclude with a three-day in-person event for educators in June, featuring even more award-winning authors and illustrators

The Gift of a (Success) Story

Shenandoah’s Children’s Literature Conference Merges Virtual and In-Person Events for a Uniquely Unbeatable Experience

Turn Up The Volume:
Rocking Reading In Every Classroom

Virtual Conference | April 29-June 3 
In-Person Conference | June 25-27

For more information, email us at infoclc@su.edu

We wish to acknowledge support for this conference from the Claude Moore Center for Literacy at Shenandoah University and the Claude Moore Charitable Foundation.