Literary Greats Will Headline Children’s Literature Festival at Annual BookFest @ Bank Street Event
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Caldecott, Geisel and Sibert Recipients to Discuss Literary Topics at Bank Street College of Education
New York, NY, September 3, 2019—On October 19th, 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 Jerry Pinkney; illustrator of The Lion and the Mouse; Sibert winner, Traci Sorell, author of We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga; and Geisel Award Winner, Greg Pizzoli, author of The Watermelon Seed. Mary Burkey, author of Audiobooks for Youth: A Practical Guide to Sound Literature will lecture on “Listening to Literature: The Power of Audiobooks.” The event will culminate in a special keynote presentation by prize winning native author, Joseph Bruchac, creator of the young adult novel Two Roads as well as dozens of other works for children.
Book discussion groups will center on topics in early childhood and adolescent categories such as middle grade and young adult titles, picture books by modern native American authors; STEM picture books and beginning readers. 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 nine years, has limited seating for media who wish to attend. For a complete list of panels and moderators, please visit: https://www.bankstreet.edu/library/center-for-childrens-literature/bookfest-bank-street/
KidLit TV will live stream the event at: https://kidlit.tv/BookFestLive2019
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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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
