Parents, educators, librarians, storytellers, authors and illustrators – looking for new ways to promote children’s literature and expand family literacy? Learn how from an award-winning illustrator of children’s books and an award-winning children’s book author at the 31st Annual Conference on Children’s Literature and 16th Annual Ashley Bryan Art Series, scheduled for Saturday, April 28, 2018, from 9AM to 4:30PM at Main Library, 100 S Andrews Ave, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33301.

The two-part event is a free, day-long professional development opportunity open to anyone interested in exploring innovative methods of getting young readers excited about books and for parents and families seeking a fun, educational afternoon of art and stories.

This year’s theme is “Celebrating the Art of the Picture Book.” Rediscover the picture book with award-winning illustrator Javaka Steptoe (Radiant Child: The Story of Young Artist Jean-Michel Basquiat; In Daddy’s Arms I Am Tall: African Americans Celebrating Fathers) and award-winning author, reviewer and consultant Megan Dowd Lambert  (A Crow of His Own; Real Sisters Pretend). Learn different ways to make a picture book come alive at this landmark literacy event for families and professionals that includes a visual literacy scavenger hunt, S.T.E.A.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) stations and more.

The morning session of the conference is open to educators, librarians and parents. It runs from 9AM-Noon, requires preregistration before April 20, 2018, and features talks from Steptoe and Lambert. The afternoon session, from 1-4:30PM, requires no registration and offers a variety of family-friendly activities for educators, librarians, parents and children including a workshop/art demonstration by Steptoe, a demonstration of Lambert’s “Whole Book Approach to Storytime” method, S.T.E.A.M. stations and more.

More information available HERE.