2021 Children's Literature Conference
“Everything’s Better with Books”
Dear Teachers, Librarians and Lovers of Children’s Books,
You, dear educators, are among the heroes.
You have worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic bringing books and children together. With your own money, you purchased numerous books for your students. You were a summer pen pal to every child in your class. You canvased neighborhoods, delivering breakfast and books because you know that feeding the brain is as important as feeding the body. You brought excitement as the Reading is Magical Parade wheeled into neighborhoods. Neighbors looked on in wonderment and children smiled with pride as they watched their teacher, dressed as a masked unicorn and carrying an armload of books, arrived at the door. You have done all of these things and more to place books in the hands of children.
You are the magic. You inspire us.
Even though the coronavirus is still with us, it will not dampen our enthusiasm to bring the best and brightest children’s authors and illustrators in the field to you. Over the last 35 years, thousands of teachers and librarians have gathered together on Shenandoah University’s campus to spend a week laughing, reading, and meeting the creators of the books we love.
This year we can’t gather together in person, so we will come to you and your students.
Yes, your students! During the summer conferences, many of you told us that you wished your students had the opportunity to meet the authors and illustrators. Well, this year, we will make it happen.
From April through June, we will bring the joy of literature right to your classroom. We’ll be offering a collection of 35 virtual events created with educators like you in mind. Experiences will range from classroom author visits to art classes and writing workshops with award-winning authors and illustrators.
We have also planned something special just for you.
You will have the opportunity to attend after school Happy Hours with the authors and illustrators and enjoy in-depth conversations about the stories behind the stories. So, gather your colleagues and your students and join us from April through June for some or all of these events because it is true that “Everything’s Better With Books.”
Thank you for all you have done and for all you continue to do for the children. We hope to see you this spring.
With respect and gratitude,
Shenandoah University Children’s Literature Conference Faculty and Staff
Shenandoah’s MLK Week Children’s Literature Events Connect With Thousands Of Students
Over the course of 35 years, Shenandoah University and the world of children’s literature have developed a strong bond.
Every summer, teachers and librarians flock to the university to hear from children’s authors and illustrators at Shenandoah’s annual Children’s Literature Conference (CLC). The conference’s reach also extends into other times of the year, most particularly the university’s annual January commemoration of the life and legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., as it brings authors, illustrators and local elementary and middle school students together on campus.
SHENANDOAH UNIVERSITY CHILDREN’S LITERATURE CONFERENCE
Artwork Credit: Reading to the Moon | Book Fiesta by Rafael López
2021 Conference Events Details
We’ll be offering a collection of 35 virtual events created with educators like you in mind. Experiences will range from live art demonstrations with award-winning children’s book illustrators, to classroom visits with some of your most favorite authors & illustrators, which you can share live with your students, to in-depth conversations with authors & illustrators where they will share the story behind the story, and so much more . . . .
Dates
Events will be held from April 20-June 25, 2021
Location
Virtual
For more information, email us at infoclc@su.edu or call 540-545-7215
2021 Conference List of Guest Speakers
Sophie Blackall
Dan Santat
Minh Lê
Jarrett J. Krosoczka
Juana Martinez-Neal
Oge Mora
Angela Johnson
Phil Bildner
Henry Cole
Stacy McAnulty
Lester Laminack
Ashley Spires
Raina Telgemeier
Tom Lichtenheld
Derrick Barnes
Jon Scieszka
Steven Weinberg
Kelly Yang
AND MORE . . .
2021 Conference Rates
2021 Rates Coming Soon!
Conference & Credit Registration
Attend the Children’s Literature Conference events and class to learn from world-renowned, award-winning authors and illustrators and earn 3 hours of graduate credit!
For Credit
Bibliography or papers are due by August 27, 2021. Transcripts will be available by October 29, 2021.
Course Information
The course will introduce techniques for using children’s literature to teach reading and writing.
To receive three hours of graduate credit, you must compile an annotated bibliography of children’s literature or submit a major, documented paper investigating some aspect of material discussed during the conference.
Attend Without Earning Credit
More information on individual events will be posted soon!
Children's Literature Conference Faculty
Dr. Karen Huff
Dr. Karen Huff is the coordinator of the elementary education program 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.
Dr. Mary Bowser
Dr. Mary Bowser is the coordinator of the secondary education program at Shenandoah University and teaches courses in undergraduate and graduate education. A former high school English teacher, Dr. Bowser has conducted writing workshops for teachers and administrators throughout the south.
Linda Sittig
Linda Sittig, co-author of New Kid in School: Using Literature to Help Children in Transition, is a reading consultant for Loudoun County Schools. She received the 1993 Eleanor Johnson Award from the International Reading Association for the Outstanding Elementary Language Arts Teacher of the Year.
See Highlights from CLC 2018
See Highlights from CLC 2017
See Highlights from CLC 2016
Past Authors & Illustrators
- 2019 Conference Authors & Illustrators
- 2018 Conference Authors & Illustrators
- 2017 Conference Authors & Illustrators
- 2016 Conference Authors & Illustrators
- 2015 Conference Authors & Illustrators
- 2014 Conference Authors & Illustrators
- 2013 Conference Authors & Illustrators
- 2012 Conference Authors & Illustrators
Children’s Literature Conference in the Media
- For The Love Of An Author: Children’s Literature Conference Draws Top Authors, Illustrators And Hundreds Of Attendees
- Writer Kwame Alexander brings ‘literary concert’ to Children’ Literature conference
- Children’s Literature Conference hopes to get kids hooked on reading
- Shenandoah University Children’s Literature Conference invites acclaimed children’s authors to share their stories