Children’s Literature Stevan Morris Shelley Gill, author of Adventure at the Top of the World, Adventure at the Bottom of the World, Kiana's Iditarod, North Country Christmas, Danger, the Dog Yard Cat, and numerous other books about nature, animals and adventure, loves to inspire students to be excited about reading and writing. Her talks cover a whole range of topics from the Iditarod Sled Dog Race to chasing whales. Shelley's website is John Archambault's work has motivated kids to turn off the TV and get turned on to the magical words that reading can deliver. Joh is most well known for his best-selling classic, Chicka Chicka Boom Boom. Other titles of John's include Barn Dance, The Ghost-Eye Tree, Knots on a Counting Rope, and Boom Chicka Rock. John has also authored the new Rockin' Reading series for beginning readers with David Plummer. Check out John's website Brad Tassell will entertain his audience as he shares about his book, Billy Fustertag Does Comedy. Brad will also talk more seriously about bullying. Educators will want to hear about another of Brad's book, Don't Feed the Bully and tips on bully control in your classroom and school. is Brad's website. You won't want to miss the many other presenters, many of Iowa's own pride and joy, who will educate, entertain, and enlighten you as you attend the 2009 conference. Carol Gorman Sharron McElmeel Jeni Reeves Carol Bodensteiner One of the Friday luncheons will include a panel made up of Iowa author Carol Gorman ( whose books include Stumptown Kid, Dork in Disguise, Dork on the Run, Chelsey and the Green-Haired Kid, illustrator Jeni Reeves (illustrator of Colors of Kenya, Voice of Freedom, The Girl Who Struck Out Babe Ruth – and Sharron McElmeel (author of two dozen books for educators and parents and director of the literary organization McBookwords). You will also hear both days from Brad Tassell, Don’t Feed the Bully, Jimmy Fustertag Does Comedy and Iowa author, Carol Bodensteiner, Growing Up Country and many of our own crop of Iowa educators. The bumper crop of speakers, authors and presenters will fill your wagons to overflowing with new books, new ideas, and tried and true techniques to use with your students.

What is children’s literature  Shelley Gill, author of Adventure at the Top of the World, Adventure at the Bottom of the World, Kiana's Iditarod, North Country Christmas, Danger, the Dog Yard Cat, and numerous other books about nature, animals and adventure, loves to inspire students to be excited about reading and writing. Her talks cover a whole range of topics from the Iditarod Sled Dog Race to chasing whales. Shelley's website is

Did You know? Shelley Gill appeared at Hershey Elementary School to share her stories and inspire the children to be excited about reading and writing. She talked with the children about the importance of research and accuracy in writing. Ms. Gill's presentation was designed to show the children that writers can do whatever they set their minds and dreams to do.

History of children’s Literature  lives her books! Shelley was previously an editor at Alaska Woman magazine, and also worked as a reporter, editor, and publisher for the Frontiersman and Valley Sun newspapers in the Matanuska-Susitna Valley. Shelley lives with her family on a ridge above Kachemak Bay in Homer, Alaska.

The Genres of Children’s Literature  The most commonly identified genres of Kids Lit are  picture books picture story books traditional literature historical fiction modern fantasy contemporary realistic fiction non-fiction or informational books biography poetry

Traditional Lit  Traditional literature is defined as literature which came from an oral story telling tradition  Could be for entertainment or instruction  Examples for traditional Lit are- –Folk tales –Fables –Myths –Legends

Modern Fantasy  “ Modern Fantasy is a broad genre with many types of books included in its spectrum.”  The genre is often characterized by its use of time travel, or imaginary beings from other planets, or animals that talk.

M. Fantasy Continued  Examples of Modern Fantasy are Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling The Giver by Lois Lowry Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle A. A. Milne's Winnie The Pooh Alice in Wonderland

The Caldecott Award  This is given to the artist who had created the most distinguished picture book of the year.  called the Caldecott Medal in honor of Randolph J Caldecott, the nineteenth-century English illustrator.  Awarded Annually  Can only be awarded to an artist who is a citizen or resident of the U.S. ils.unc.edu