Children’s Literature Symposium
2025 Symposium
The 2025 App State Children’s Literature Symposium featured Orbis Pictus Honor- and Sibert Medal Honor-Winning author/illustrator Katherine Roy.
On Wednesday, April 9th, a free Interactive Art/Science Night was offered for families, university students/faculty/staff, and educators. Roy focused on her book Sea Without a Shore—an informational picture book that explores the rich and diverse communities of marine life that develop on the clumps of Sargassum seaweed for which the Sargasso Sea is named—and guided audience members in creating their own Sargasso Sea out of materials like paper plates and egg cartons.
On Thursday, April 10th, Roy gave a keynote presentation for university students/faculty/staff, librarians, and educators. Her lecture was delivered in the Hickory Campus Atrium and virtually.
The Children’s Literature Symposium was presented by the Appalachian State University Libraries and the Reich College of Education.
Previous Events
The Instructional Materials Center has hosted Children’s Literature Symposia for more than a decade. Learn more about our previous events:
2023 Children’s Literature Symposium
Stories & Music Across Cultures, March 31-April 1, 2023
Visiting authors: Jeff Zentner, Raúl the Third, and Rajani LaRocca
On Friday, March 31, Jeff Zentner and Raúl the Third visited area schools.
On Saturday, April 1, Jeff Zentner, Raúl the Third, and Rajani LaRocca offered a professional development workshop for teachers and librarians in-person on the App State campus.
2021 Children’s Literature Symposium
Exploring Empathy, Imagination, and Agency in Children’s Literature, March 24 & 31, 2021 via Zoom
Visiting authors Meg Medina and Lauren Castillo.
On March 24, Meg Medina visited area schools and offered a professional development workshop for teachers and librarians.
On March 31, Lauren Castillo visited area schools and offered a professional development workshop for teachers and librarians.
2017 Children’s Literature Symposium
Crafting Stories with Poetry and Prose, October 26–28, 2017
Visiting authors Allan Wolf, Alan Gratz, Heather Bouwman, and storyteller Donna Washington.
On October 26–27, Alan Gratz and Heather Bouwman visited area public schools, led discussions in Appalachian State University classrooms, and offered a program at the Watauga County Public Library.
The Saturday, October 28 program provided professional development opportunities for librarians and teachers. Allan Wolf presented the keynote address and joined Alan Gratz and Heather Bouwman in leading breakout sessions on the theme Crafting Stories with Poetry and Prose. Donna Washington provided a storytelling performance.
The symposium was sponsored by Chuck and Pauletta Parker, Mary Helen Ridenhour, Charles and Elaine Graham, and the Martha and Nancy Lee Bivens Distinguished Professorship for Children and Reading.
2015 Children’s Literature Symposium
Stories about Children with Disabilities, November 5–7, 2015
Visiting authors Kathryn Erskine, Joseph Bathanti, and the performance poetry group Poetry Alive!
2013 Children’s Literature Symposium
A Day of Stories, Songs, Poetry and Prose, November 9, 2013
Joseph Bruchac was the keynote speaker and author. Joseph Bathanti and Edie Hemingway offered breakout sessions. Lunchtime programming was provided by Native American drummers and dancers.
2011 Children’s Literature Symposium
Deborah Wiles was our keynote speaker and author. Poetry Alive offered a breakout session and lunchtime programming.