Reading To The Rescue: Igniting Lives with Imagination, Curiosity, Joy, and
Words, Words, Words!
virtual events begin May 2 | In-Person Conference June 28-30
A Message from the Conference Staff
For 37 years, thousands of teachers and librarians have participated in Shenandoah University’s Children’s Literature Conference. Join us this year as we celebrate the power of the book to boost creativity, develop imagination, strengthen comprehension, increase vocabulary, and, most importantly, revel in the joy of reading.
You and your students will have the opportunity to meet some of the best and brightest children’s authors and illustrators in the field. During May, we will bring the joy of literature right to your classroom. We’ll be offering a collection of affordable virtual events created with your students in mind. Experiences will range from classroom author visits to art classes and writing workshops with award-winning authors and illustrators. After your students have left for the day, 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 and keynote sessions with some of the literacy leaders in the field.
When school is out, we will come together on the main campus of Shenandoah University. Our in-person conference is June 28-30. The in-person conference will highlight 11 award-winning authors and illustrators. The in-person events will also include meet and greet opportunities, receptions, and plenty of story-filled fun, which will do your heart good.
So, gather your colleagues and your students and join us from May through June for some or all of these events because it is true that we can always count on stories to save us. We can’t wait to get started.
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!
For Credit
Bibliography or papers are due by August 25, 2023. Transcripts will be available by October 27, 2023.
Course Information
If you are taking the Children’s Literature Conference for credit; you will have access to all of the 2023 Children’s Literature Conference events, but will be required to attend a minimum of:
14 live or recorded author visits via Zoom webinars
10 live Happy Hours with authors via Zoom webinars
You will also be required to submit a reflection journal discussing insights gained during virtual conference sessions and an annotated bibliography of children’s books or a documented paper investigating some aspect of topics addressed during the conference.
Attend Without Earning Credit
Affordable Author Visits:
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.
Happy Hours with the Authors:
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!
Children’s Literature Virtual Pass:
Purchase of a Virtual Pass will provide access to all virtual 2023 sessions. Certificates of participation will be provided to Virtual Pass holders for actual hours of participation.
June 28 through 30 In-person Events ONLY:
Our in-person conference will be held June 28-30, and the in-person conference will highlight 16 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 Combined In-Person and Virtual Events:
All Access Pass purchase includes all in-person and virtual events.
CLC Conference rates
| Event | Price |
| Author Visit (virtual, per classroom, per author) |
$20 |
| Virtual Pass (per person virtual events only) |
$185 |
| In-Person Pass (per person, for in-person events only) |
$199 |
| Author Visit group rate: (group rate, virtual, 11 or more classrooms at 1 school) |
$199 |
|
All Access Pass |
$275 |
| 3 Graduate Credit Hours |
$724 |
REGISTER NOW
Choose your appropriate registration from the options below. If your registration is being covered by a third party purchase order or check, please email infoclc@su.edu for registration information.
Registration closes at 5pm, EST the evening before each session.
All Author Visits will be recorded. Recordings will be provided to registrants after event.
Link to Author Visit Registrations
Recording of session will be provided to registrants after event.
General Information
A limited number of single rooms with board are available on campus for $75 per night
- Check-in: 6/27, check-out 6/30/23.
- 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
All Access Pass: No refunds after 5.2.23
Virtual Pass: No refunds after 5.2.23
In-Person Pass: No refunds after 6.27.23
Individual CLC Events: No refunds.
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.
See Highlights from CLC 2022
See Highlights from CLC 2018
See Highlights from CLC 2017
Past Authors & Illustrators
- 2022 Conference 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
- Shenandoah’s Children’s Literature Conference Serves Thousands
- Shenandoah’s MLK Week Children’s Literature Events Connect With Thousands Of Students
- 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