Photos: 2016 Children's Literature Conference

Four award-winning children’s and young adult book authors and illustrators visited Western Washington University this past weekend for the 13th Annual Children’s Literature Conference.

The yearly conference brings together teachers, librarians, readers, and writers to celebrate children’s literature and reflect on how children’s books shape the experience of growing up.

This year’s speakers were Peter Brown, Cynthia Lord, Melissa Sweet and Gene Luen Yang, who was just named the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature by the Library of Congress. Yang is the first graphic novelist to receive the honor since the post was created in 2008.

Photos by Dylan Nelson / WWU Communications and Marketing intern

Western Today staff
Author and illustrator Melissa Sweet signs books for fans between presentations. Photo by Dylan Nelson / WWU Communications and Marketing intern
Author Cynthia Lord Signs books for fans between presentations. Photo by Dylan Nelson / WWU Communications and Marketing intern
Author and illustrator Melissa Sweet gives a presentation on what gives her inspiration and shares how she creates her illustrations as well as sharing the pressures and struggles of being an illustrator. Photo by Dylan Nelson
Author and graphic novelist Gene Luen Yang speaks about education through graphic novels, and gives the audience a lesson in coding through his new graphic novel Secret Coders. Photo by Dylan Nelson / WWU Communications and Marketing intern
Authors Peter Brown and Gene Luen Yang speak at a panel discussion after the day’s presentations. Photo by Dylan Nelson / WWU Communications and Marketing intern
Author Cynthia Lord and Illustrator Melissa Sweet speak at a panel discussion with Peter Brown and Gene Luen Yang. Photo by Dylan Nelson / WWU Communications and Marketing intern
The event’s four authors answer questions from the audience. Photo by Dylan Nelson / WWU Communications and Marketing intern
The conference’s four authors pose for a picture with event coordinator Nancy Johnson in Wilson Library on Friday. Photo by Dylan Nelson / WWU Communications and Marketing intern
Peter Brown tells the audience about his new books and explains how, of all his characters, he identifies most with Mr. Tiger. Photo by Dylan Nelson / WWU Communications and Marketing intern
Attendees buy copies of the books written by Peter Brown, Melissa Sweet, Gene Luen Yang and Cynthia Lord. Photo by Dylan Nelson / WWU Communications and Marketing intern