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SU Children's Literature Conference
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From: Dawson, Tonya R. <tdawson>
Date: Mon, 4 Jul 2005 08:33:55 -0400
Hi everyone!
Last week I had the wonderful opportunity of attending the Children's Literature Conference at Shenandoah Universiity in Winchester, VA. This was my second year serving as an assistant with Conference, and my advisor Dr. Karen Huff has already told me that I'm "there for life." I certainly have no objections! It's an absolutely amazing experience! The conference is held every year during the last week of June -- so if you ever have a chance to attend, I highly recommend it! This year, we had a wide array of presenters from various areas of children's literature, including Michael Pressley, Jean Craighead George, M.E. Kerr, Vera Williams, Rosalyn Schanzer, E.B. Lewis, Pam Munoz Ryan, Richard Peck, Johanna Hurwitz, Janet Stevens, and Patricia MacLachlan.
M.E. Kerr and Richard Peck especially touched on many of the issues we have been discussing recently in regards to "how far" the parameters of YA literature should stretch. Both gave amazing and insightful presentations. M.E. Kerr spoke early on in the week, and days later attendees were still raving over her presentation! She touched on many of the topics we have been discussing here. (Rainbow Party, for example.) She put it so well when she said, "A story should come from the writer's heart, not the publisher's cash register." She also provided amazing and hilarious ancedotes regarding her journey as a writer -- including her various pseudonyms to which she acted as her own literary agent!! Mr. Peck also gave an astounding presentation. He said everything I was thinking -- only much more eloquently!! In regards to our recent discussions, Mr. Peck made the important point that you cannot both fear the parents AND teach the students. E.B. Lewis also gave a moving presentation focusing on the impact of education and support as a child through his own personal childhood experience. As educators, parents, authors, and people we must not forget those students who so often "slip through the cracks." The ones who aren't "troublemakers" or "gifted and talented," and therefore are often overlooked.
If you ever have the opportunity to hear Ms. Kerr, Mr. Peck, or Mr. Lewis in person, TAKE IT! Of course, even though the other authors and illustrators dealt with mainly younger children's literature, they too were amazing! It was an all-around marvelous experience!
I'm sorry for rambling on a bit about this. I wish that I could truly express how all-around entertaining and insightful the conference was! It's hard to put into words (hence the random rambling). But, in light of the recent conversations shared, I thought it worth mentioning. I only wish I'd had a recorder with me in order to remember ALL of the perceptive and astute comments which were made!
I hope everyone had a terrific weekend and enjoys a wonderful Independence Day!
*Tonya Dawson* Elementary Education major Shenandoah University Winchester, VA
+
Received on Mon 04 Jul 2005 07:33:55 AM CDT
Date: Mon, 4 Jul 2005 08:33:55 -0400
Hi everyone!
Last week I had the wonderful opportunity of attending the Children's Literature Conference at Shenandoah Universiity in Winchester, VA. This was my second year serving as an assistant with Conference, and my advisor Dr. Karen Huff has already told me that I'm "there for life." I certainly have no objections! It's an absolutely amazing experience! The conference is held every year during the last week of June -- so if you ever have a chance to attend, I highly recommend it! This year, we had a wide array of presenters from various areas of children's literature, including Michael Pressley, Jean Craighead George, M.E. Kerr, Vera Williams, Rosalyn Schanzer, E.B. Lewis, Pam Munoz Ryan, Richard Peck, Johanna Hurwitz, Janet Stevens, and Patricia MacLachlan.
M.E. Kerr and Richard Peck especially touched on many of the issues we have been discussing recently in regards to "how far" the parameters of YA literature should stretch. Both gave amazing and insightful presentations. M.E. Kerr spoke early on in the week, and days later attendees were still raving over her presentation! She touched on many of the topics we have been discussing here. (Rainbow Party, for example.) She put it so well when she said, "A story should come from the writer's heart, not the publisher's cash register." She also provided amazing and hilarious ancedotes regarding her journey as a writer -- including her various pseudonyms to which she acted as her own literary agent!! Mr. Peck also gave an astounding presentation. He said everything I was thinking -- only much more eloquently!! In regards to our recent discussions, Mr. Peck made the important point that you cannot both fear the parents AND teach the students. E.B. Lewis also gave a moving presentation focusing on the impact of education and support as a child through his own personal childhood experience. As educators, parents, authors, and people we must not forget those students who so often "slip through the cracks." The ones who aren't "troublemakers" or "gifted and talented," and therefore are often overlooked.
If you ever have the opportunity to hear Ms. Kerr, Mr. Peck, or Mr. Lewis in person, TAKE IT! Of course, even though the other authors and illustrators dealt with mainly younger children's literature, they too were amazing! It was an all-around marvelous experience!
I'm sorry for rambling on a bit about this. I wish that I could truly express how all-around entertaining and insightful the conference was! It's hard to put into words (hence the random rambling). But, in light of the recent conversations shared, I thought it worth mentioning. I only wish I'd had a recorder with me in order to remember ALL of the perceptive and astute comments which were made!
I hope everyone had a terrific weekend and enjoys a wonderful Independence Day!
*Tonya Dawson* Elementary Education major Shenandoah University Winchester, VA
+
Received on Mon 04 Jul 2005 07:33:55 AM CDT
