Literary Greats Headline Children’s Literature Festival at Bank Street College of Education
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more information, contact:
Cynthia S. Weill
Director, Bank Street Center for Children’s Literature
Bank Street College of Education
cweill@bankstreet.edu
212-875-4652
Caldecott, Geisel, Coretta Scott King, and Newbery Recipients to Discuss Literary Topics at BookFest @ Bank Street Event
New York, NY, September 4, 2018—On October 20th, Bank Street College of Education will host BookFest @ Bank Street, an annual event devoted to the celebration, discovery, and discussion of books for children and teens. This year, guests will hear from a number of renowned authors, illustrators, editors, reviewers, and scholars from the children’s literature community in a series of panel discussions, thought-provoking presentations, and interactive small group book discussions.
The event, which is intended for adults, will take a closer look at the unique and often award-winning approaches of some of the most celebrated names in children’s literature. Notable panelists will include Caldecott winner Eric Rohman, My Friend Rabbit; Newbery medalist Rita Williams Garcia, author of Gone Crazy in Alabama; and Coretta Scott King winner and Geisel Honor winner, Stephen Savage. Lisa Von Drasek, Curator of the Kerlan Collection at the University of Minnesota will lecture on “Writing Boxes: The Reading/Writing Connection for Supporting Literacy in the Library” and the day will culminate in a special keynote presentation by Newbery Honor winner Adam Gidwitz, author of The Inquisitor’s Tale: Or, The Three Magical Children and Their Holy Dog.
Book discussion groups will center on topics in early childhood and adolescent categories such as middle grade and young adult titles, international children’s books, graphic novels, and Spanish language picture books, among others. Local children’s literature experts, reviewers, and teachers will lead the sessions. Attendees will be assigned to read the books that correspond to their group prior to the event to prepare for deep discussion. Books by authors and artists will be available for purchase from the Bank Street Bookstore at the event.
The event, which has sold out in each of the past eight years, has limited seating for media who wish to attend. For a complete list of panels and moderators, please visit https://www.bankstreet.edu/events/bookfest-bank-street/
KidLit TV will live stream the event at https://kidlit.tv/BookFestLive2018
About the Center for Children’s Literature
The mission of the Center for Children’s Literature is to create, identify, and advocate for the highest quality literature for all children from infancy through adolescence. The Center ensures that such literature is readily accessible to every child, and fosters in parents, educators, and policymakers a commitment to the principle that good literature is fundamental to literacy. The Center provides workshops, guides, and content for learning and social-emotional/aesthetic development at all levels of childhood education. Learn more at bankstreet.edu/ccl.
About Bank Street College of Education
Bank Street College of Education is a recognized leader in early childhood education, teacher and leader preparation, and the development of innovative practice in school systems across the country. For one hundred years, Bank Street has been improving the education of children and their teachers by applying to the education process all available knowledge about learning and growth, and by connecting teaching and learning meaningfully to the outside world. Learn more about Bank Street Children’s Programs, Graduate School of Education, and Division of Innovation, Policy and Research at bankstreet.edu.
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