WWU to Host 12th Annual Children’s Literature Conference Feb. 28
BELLINGHAM — The English Department at Western Washington University will host four award-winning children’s authors/illustrators from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 28 in Western’s Performing Arts Center Concert Hall as part of Western’s 12th Annual Children’s Literature Conference.
Tickets are $125 for the public, $50 for para-educators, retired teachers or Western employees and $40 for full-time college students. Tickets can be bought online (http://wwuclc.com/registration) or by mail.
The conference will include presentations from the authors and illustrators, lunch, book sales and autograph sessions.
This year, the authors visiting Western are:
Matt de la Peña - Matt de la Peña is theauthor of the five critically-acclaimed young adult novels including “The Living,” winner of the 2014 Pura Belpré Award for writing, “Mexican Whiteboy” (ALA/YALSA Best Books for Young Adults), “We Were Here” (ALA/YALSA Best Books for Young Adults), and “I Will Save You.” He is also the author of a picture book biography, “The Nation’s Hope: The Story of Boxing Legend Joe Lewis”(illustrated by Kadir Nelson) and a new picture book, “Last Stop on Market Street.” He has also written two books in the multi-media “Infinity Ring” series. De la Peñareceived his master’s degree in Creative Writing from San Diego State University and his bachelor’s degree from the University of the Pacific, where he attended school on a full basketball scholarship. He teaches creative writing and visits high schools and colleges throughout the country. De la Peña resides with his family in Brooklyn, New York.
Kate DiCamillo - Kate DiCamillo has garnered numerous awards for her books for young readers, including the Newbery Medal for “Flora & Ulysses” in 2014 and “TheTale of Despereaux” in 2004. She also received the Newbery Honor for “Because of Winn-Dixie” in 2001, the Boston Globe Horn Book Award for “The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane” in 2006, was a National Book Award finalist for “The Tiger Rising” in 2001, the Theodor Geisel Medal and honor for “Bink and Gollie” (with co-author Alison McGhee) in 2011, and “Mercy Watson Goes for a Ride” in2007. She is the current national ambassador for Young People's Literature, appointed by the Library of Congress. Her newest book, “Leroy Ninker Saddles Up,” debuted this fall. A native of Florida, DiCamillo currently lives in Minneapolis, Minn.
Yuyi Morales - Yuyi Morales’ artwork has often been compared to that of 20th century Mexican muralist Diego Rivera. Yet her newest book, “Viva Frida,” illustrating Frida Kahlo’s dream to become an artist, uses stop-motion dolls, photographed against colorful acrylic backdrops, a style uniquely her own. “Viva Frida” was just awarded a 2015 Caldecott Honor and the 2015 Pura Belpré medal for illustration. Morales has earned three Pura Belpré medals for illustration, for “Niño Wrestles the World” in 2014, “Los Gatos Black on Halloween” in 2008 and“Just a Minute: A Trickster Tale and Counting Book” in2004. She is the creator of” Little Night,” co-released in Spanish as “Nochecita,” and the winner of the 2008 Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators’ Golden Kite Medal. Other recognitions include the Americas Award and the Tomas Rivera Award won in 2004 and 2008. Born in Xalapa, Mexico, Morales immigrated to the United States in 1994 with her husband. Currently she resides in Mexico.
Joyce Sidman- Joyce Sidmanreceived the 2013 National Council for Teachers of English Award for Excellence in Children's Poetry in recognition of her award-winning children’s poetry books. These include the 2011 Newbery Honor for “Dark Emperor and Other Poems of the Night,” and two Caldecott Honor books: “Song of the Water Boatman and Other Pond Poems” (which is also a Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award winner) and “Red Sings from Treetops: A Year in Colors.” “What the Heart Knows: Chants, Charms & Blessings” was a finalist for the Los Angeles Times Book Award. Her newest collection, “Winter Bees and other Poems of the Cold,” debuted this past November. When she isn’t writing, Sidman enjoys teaching in poetry-writing residencies. Born in Connecticut, Sidman now lives in Wayzata, Minn.
For more information on the 12th Annual Children’s Literacy Conference contact Nancy J. Johnson at (360) 650-3227 or Nancy.Johnson@wwu.edu.