If you’ve visited my blog before, you would recognize that kid’s books play a central role in my life. My career choices were made around the fact that I wanted a job where I could read and share books with children. I think it is magical to see how words combine with illustrations to create powerful stories.
I spent last weekend in Los Angeles at the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators 44th annual summer conference, which is an amazing celebration of the creators of children’s books. The Century Plaza Hotel was filled with the creative spirit of authors, illustrators, editors, and agents. I think it would be hard to find a more friendly, encouraging, and creative group of people. The keynote speaker was my favorite children’s author, Mem Fox, whose books have inspired me as a parent, teacher, and writer for years. She shared the sparks that led to her books and the importance of reading aloud to children. She held us all spellbound as she read several of her picture books to us.
Here she is reading my very favorite picture book – Wilfred Gordon MacDonald Partridge in which a young boy helps his neighbor, Miss Nancy, get her memory back.
I met another spectacular author, Jane O’Connor, who writes the Fancy Nancy books. She shared this picture of herself as a young girl being fancy:
Here I am being fancy with Jane:
I spent time with lots of writing friends including my critique buddy, author Nancy Ralston:
The Spectacular Sassy Scribes:
The beautiful Sugarfinas (aka Margaret O’Hair, Alicia Lindberg, and Christina Tucker Wise) who won the Sparkle and Shine contest:
Kitty Donahue:
So, cheers to children’s books – the classics that we loved as children, the new ones and the ones to come in the years ahead. And, cheers to those who create them!
I celebrate with you as you process your memories of a happy, bookish event.. Plus I am jealous.
Hi Anne, It certainly was the place to be for people who love kid’s books and the people who make them.
You certainly do have a lot to celebrate. I attended the New York SCBWI a couple of years ago and it was an exhilarating experience.
Hi Bernadette – I would love to go to the New York SCBWI conference. Too bad it’s so far from where I live.
this looks like so much fun!
Hi Pam – It was a blast! KidLit Heaven!
I am so glad you were able to go. I look forward to reading what you have been inspired to create!
Trine – it was so inspirational! I’ve been floating on air for a week. Time to come down and get to work!
Sounds like you had fun at the conference. I love Fancy Nancy. I also read a Mem Fox book for adults last year called Reading Magic. It reinforced what I already knew, that reading to children benefits them, and it also encouraged me to balance the teaching of phonics (which the book seems to discourage) with the exposure to sight words (which the book encourages).
How awesome you were able to attend the conference. Thanks for the pics!
What fun!
Thanks for sharing. Loved all the PICS
Always and amazing event. 🙂