草榴社区

aerial view of Western's campus at night, with golden lights surrounded by dark trees

草榴社区 to Host Seventh Annual Children's Literature Conference this Saturday

Western Washington University will host four award-winning children鈥檚 authors and illustrators and an editor/book publisher at its Seventh Annual Children鈥檚 Literature Conference from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 6 at the Performing Arts Center Concert Hall on the 草榴社区 campus.

鈥淭his is an opportunity to meet and listen to four notable authors and illustrators and an editor whose work has not only been recognized by numerous awards but is also well received by readers from early elementary school to adult,鈥 said Nancy Johnson, 草榴社区 professor聽 of English and organizer of the conference.

The conference, which is geared toward adults, is sponsored by the 草榴社区 English Department and includes presentations from the speakers, lunch, book sales and autograph sessions.

The authors at this year鈥檚 conference are:

  • Marla Frazee, 2010 Caldecott honor recipient for 鈥淎ll the World,鈥 2009 Caldecott honor recipient for 鈥淎 Couple of Boys Have the Best Week Ever鈥 and illustrator of other award-winning books including 鈥淩oller Coaster,鈥 and 鈥淲alk On! A Guide for Babies of All Ages.鈥 Frazee will also be presenting with her award-winning editor and publisher, Allyn Johnston.
  • John Green, the Michael L. Printz award-wining author of 鈥淟ooking for Alaska鈥 and 鈥淎n Abundance of Katherines.鈥 His latest novel, 鈥淧aper Towns,鈥 was on the New York Times bestseller list and won the Edgar Award for best Young Adult novel. He is co-author, with David Levithan, of 鈥淲ill Grayson, Will Grayson,鈥 which debuts this April.
  • Gerald McDermott is the Caldecott award-wining illustrator and author of 鈥淎rrow to the Sky: A Tale from the Pueblo鈥 and Caldecott honor recipient for 鈥淎nansi the Spider: A Tale of the Ashanti鈥 and 鈥淩aven: A Trickster Tale from the Pacific Northwest.鈥 His newest book, 鈥淧ig-Boy: A Trickster Tale from Hawai鈥橧鈥 was published in 2009.
  • Linda Sue Park is the Newbery Medal-winning author of 鈥淎 Single Shard鈥 and one of the 2002 Publisher鈥檚 Weekly Best Books of the Year for 鈥淲hen My Name was Keoko.鈥 She is the author of novels, picture books, a collection of poetry based on a traditional Korean form, and the newspaper serial 鈥淎 Long Walk to Water.鈥

The cost to attend the conference is $40 for full-time students, $45 for retired teachers and $90 for non students if their registration is received by Feb. 12. After that date, the costs are $75 for full-time students and retired teachers and $115 for non students. Fees include morning coffee and muffins, and lunch. Pre-registration is required by calling (360) 650-3308. A conference flier and registration forms can be accessed at .

For more information, call Nancy Johnson at (360) 650-3227.