Department News

2011 Children's Literature Conference Registration will be open soon

This year's conference, held at Whittier College on Saturday, April 9, 8:15am - 12:30pm at the Ruth B. Shannon Center. In addition to featuring Whittier College alumnus and Newbery honored author, Zilpha Keatley Snyder ’48, this year's keynote session will be an introduction to Kamishibai, traditional Japanese storytelling. Like the original Kamishibai storytellers, Hazuki Kataoka, enhances her performance with sound effects, musical instruments, and dramatic gestures. The Moon Princess, retold by Huzuki Kataoka and David Battino and illustrated by Kazumi Verkler, received a 2008 Parents’ Choice Award and the 2010 Storytelling World Resource Award Ms. Kataoka has performed and conducted workshops for the Washington, D.C., Cherry Blossom Festival, American Library Association conference, Keisen University (Tokyo), and many others.

Space is limited to 350 participants, and on-site registration can not be guaranteed. Please download the registration form and return it with a $15.00 check payable to Whittier College to:

Whittier College
Department of Education & Child Development
Re: 2011 Children's Literature Conference
13406 E. Philadelphia St.
P.O. Box 634
Whittier, CA 90608

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS

The Zilpha Keatley Snyder Award: Excellence in Promoting Children's Literature in the Classroom

As part of the annual Children’s Literature Conference, Whittier College’s Department of Education & Child Development will honor a deserving teacher who excels in promoting the use of children’s literature in the classroom with the Zilpha Keatley Snyder Award, named for the three-time Newbery Honor author and Whittier College alumna, Class of 1948.

Nominees should have a track record of encouraging children to enjoy reading. Evidence of promoting the joy of reading may include but is not limited to: frequent use of read-alouds, encouragement of independent reading in and outside of the classroom, use of author studies, literature circles/book clubs, or participation in programs such as the California Young Reader Medal, and family reading programs.

NOMINATIONS ARE DUE BY MARCH 15, 2011.

To submit a candidate for consideration, please complete the nomination form and return it to Dr. Kathleen S. Ralph, Department of Education & Child Development, via fax (562.464.4596), e-mail (kralph@whittier.edu), or mail to:

Dr. Kathleen S. Ralph
Department of Education & Child Development
Re: ZKS Nomination
Whittier College
P.O. Box 634
Whittier, CA 90608

The Zilpha Keatley Snyder Award will be given at a public ceremony during the Whittier College Children's Literature Conference on April 9, 2010. Registration for the conference opens in February.