Events
Save the Date: 2027 Children’s Literature Symposium
The 2027 Children’s Literature Symposium will be held on April 16th and 17th. The theme of this year’s symposium is, “Celebrating Visual Storytelling.” We are excited to welcome our presenters, 2026 Caldecott Award-winning illustrator Cátia Chien and 2026 Caldecott Honor-winning illustrator Drew Beckmeyer.
Beyond Our Borders: Exploring Global Youth Literature
9/10/26, 7:00-8:30pm, Belk Library 024
Explore children’s and young adult books published around the world and discover how they differ from those commonly published in the United States. Together, we’ll discuss what these stories reveal about culture, publishing, and the ways different countries approach literature for young readers. This workshop is for teacher education majors in all grades and content areas. Every participant will receive a free book and resources for future classroom strategies.
Looking Beyond the Label: Disability in Youth Media
09/29/26, 7:00-8:30pm, Belk Library 024
Engage in a hands-on exploration of children’s and young adult literature as we investigate how disability is represented through characters, storylines, and illustrations. This workshop is for teacher education majors in all grades and content areas. Every participant will receive a free book and resources for future classroom strategies.
Ballots and Bookworms
10/14/26, 7:00-8:30pm, Belk Library 024
This interactive session explores how to center daily read-alouds by using student choice to build a unified and engaged reading community. You will walk away with practical activities designed to get your future students talking, debating, and actively voting for their favorite books. This workshop is for teacher education majors in all grades and content areas. Every participant will receive a free book and ready to use booklists for their future classrooms.
The Art of Visual Storytelling
(in person)
10/28/26, 7:00-8:30pm, Belk Library 024
Discover how picture books communicate meaning beyond the words on the page. Using Broken by X. Fang as our mentor text, we’ll explore how illustrators use composition, color, perspective, pacing, and other visual elements to create emotion, build tension, and shape a reader’s experience. This workshop is for teacher education majors in all grades and content areas. Every participant will receive a free book and resources for future classroom strategies.
*Part of the Distinguished Professor Series. This workshop will be offered both in person and online.
The Art of Visual Storytelling
(online)
10/29/26, 7:00-8:30pm, online
Discover how picture books communicate meaning beyond the words on the page. Using Broken by X. Fang as our mentor text, we’ll explore how illustrators use composition, color, perspective, pacing, and other visual elements to create emotion, build tension, and shape a reader’s experience. This workshop is for teacher education majors in all grades and content areas.
*Part of the Distinguished Professor Series. This workshop will be offered both in person and online.
Books Kids Actually Like
11/30/26, 7:00-8:30pm, Belk Library 024
Come see what books kids, tweens, and teens like to read. We will explore popular books in a variety of genres and formats and learn how to recommend books youths love. This workshop is for teacher education majors in all grades and content areas. Every participant will receive a free book, a variety of recommendations, and resources for their future classroom library.