Spotlight on Books:
A Conference for Adults Focused on Youth Literature
April 16-17, 2004 Grand Rapids, MN
Friday Workshop Schedule
Mini-Workshops (Click for full description)
1-4 pm "Literacy Development, from Toddlers to Readers: What Happens and What Can We Do?"
Dr. Scott McConnell,
University of Minnesota, Center for Early Education and Development
5:30-6:30 pm
Session 1: Super Heroes and Beyond: Why comics and Graphic Novels belong in your library - Jeffrey Gegner and Gail Mueller/Schultz
Session 2: Minnesota Storytime: You Betcha! Judy Sheriff and Tom Fitzpatrick
6:30-7:30 pm
Session 3: Manga Mania Jeffrey Gegner and Gail Mueller/Schultz
Session 4: Not to be Missed: Children's Notables of 2003 Heidi Hoks
7:30-9:00 pm
Session 5 with Dessert: Fireside Chat with Regional Authors
Saturday Featured Authors' Schedule
9:00-10 am Linda Glaser
10:30-11:30 Rick Chrustowski
1:00-2:00 pm Kate DiCamillo
2:30-3:15 Author's Panel
Book sales and author signing opportunities will occur throughout the day
2004 Festival of Authors - Regional authors will be available
for book signing and conversation throughout the day
Registration
Forms will be mailed to those who have attended previous conferences. For your convenience, a printable form is available for you to print and mail to Northern Lights Library Network by clicking here.
Graduate Credit Available:
Spotlight On Books is available for one graduate credit from the College of St. Scholastica. Those wishing to enroll for credit should call Marie Kelsey at 218-723-6155 or email her at mkelsey@css.edu for additional information
2004 Authors
Kate DiCamillo
Kate DiCamillo is a master storyteller who hardly needs an introduction in Minnesota. Most recently Kate was awarded the 2004 Newbery Medal for her book, The Tale of Despereaux: Being the Story of a Mouse, A Princess, Some Soup, and a Spool of Thread. Kate is also the author of the tremendously popular books, Because of Winn-Dixie, a Newbery Honor Book, and The Tiger Rising, a National Book Award finalist. Kate lives and writes in Minneapolis.
Linda Glaser
Linda Glaser’s children’s book, Our Big Home: An Earth Poem, is intended to inspire an awareness of the Earth as a shared home of all peoples and animals and plants. This book was selected by Reading Rainbow and has inspired UNICEF greeting cards. In addition to writing more than a dozen books, Linda presents popular workshops on memoir writing, journal writing, and writing children’s books. Linda lives and writes in Duluth, MN.
Rick Chrustowski
Author and illustrator Rick Chrustowski lives and works in a turn of the century farmhouse on a hill in River Falls, Wisconsin. When not working in his studio, he can usually be found in his garden or exploring nature. Rick’s wonderful books such as Bright Beetle; Hop Frog; and Blue Sky Bluebird are filled with artwork which creates a world where “living is visual, colorful, and cool”. Rick is a frequent visitor to schools and enjoys working with children.
Mini WOrkshops
Friday mini-workshops
Friday afternoon workshop:
Literacy Development, from Toddlers to Readers - What Happens, and What Can we Do?
This three-hour mini-workshop will focus on the development of early literacy skills, starting when children are young toddlers and following through until they are independent readers. We will review current research describing what early literacy development is, and how "reading" starts to develop when children are just learning to talk. We'll follow the developmental path through the preschool years - when children are learning more about language and starting to "explode the code" of reading. We will talk about research and practical applications, with a focus on steps that parents, child care providers, librarians, and school personnel can take to support early literacy development for all children.
Presenter: Dr. Scott McConnell, University of Minnesota, Center for Early Education and Development
Friday evening mini-workshops:
Session 1: Superheroes & Beyond: Why Comics & Graphic Novels Belong in Your Library
Comics may still be perceived as something only for children, but comics and graphic novels represent some of the most adventurous storytelling for teens and adults being written today. Discover where the industry has been and where it's going-and how to incorporate this exciting collection in your library.
Presenters: Jeffrey Gegner, Senior Librarian and Popular Materials Specialist, and Gail Mueller-Schults, Principal Librarian and Manager, Hennepin County Library
Session 2: Minnesota Storytime: You Betcha!
Minnesota has a wealth of outstanding children's book creators, and the new, online Minnesota Storytime resource offers ways to share their books and related literacy activities with children and families.
Presenters: Judy Sheriff, Youth Services Manager, Duluth Public Library and Tom Fitzpatrick, Senior Program Officer, Minnesota Humanities Commission
Session 3: Manga Mania
Manga (Japanese comics) have become tremendously popular in the United States with readers of all ages, especially with teens. To aid those developing manga collections, this overview will cover the background and artistic devices of manga, including how they differ from American graphic novels, as well as title recommendations.
Presenters: Jeffrey Gegner, Senior Librarian and Popular Materials Specialist, and Gail Mueller-Schults, Principal Librarian and Manager, Hennepin County Library
Session 4: Not to Be Missed: Children's Notables of 2003
Back by popular demand, Heidi Hoks will showcase the stellar children's books of the year, including the nominees for the Minnesota Book Awards. Heidi, a gifted storyteller, is the manager of the Thief River Falls Public Library.
Session 5 Fireside Chat
Join a group of regional authors who are here for “Festival of Authors 2004”, a book signing event on Saturday, for conversation and dessert. Each of the authors will be invited to say a few words about themselves and their work, but the rest of the evening will be spent in conversation--informal chatting about books, reading and writing.