| Description |
A conference for exploring the many paths to early literacy, sponsored by Born to Read, a program of the Harriet P. Henry
Center for the Book at theMaine Humanities Council.
This conference is designed for child care providers, preschool teachers, and others who work with children 0-5. Eight workshops offered in morning and afternoon sessions will promote the many paths to early literacy development—from storytelling to music to book selection and use. Lunch will be included to give conferees an opportunity to meet and discuss their work.
The conference will feature keynote presentations from nationally acclaimed children’s book writers and illustrators:
Rosemary Wells is the author and illustrator of over 60 picture books and is the creator of such memorable characters as Max and Ruby, Yoko and Emily. Well’s picture books are entirely populated by animals. They address universal childhood themes of love, laughter, hope, and heroism in spirited tales, enabling children to confront their fears with confidence and optimism. At the conference, Wells will discuss the many issues relating to early literacy for children in today’s changing social environment. Conferees will learn about her Read to Your Bunny initiative and her philosophy and ideas for tackling issues for young children.
Ashley Bryan is an artist, storyteller, poet, folklorist and performer who has traveled all over the world performing and talking about his books that highlight West African tales and the African-American experience. At the conference, Bryan will present a performance on Friday evening that is open to the public; on Saturday, he will present workshops on storytelling and folkltales, open to early childhood professionals.
This conference will be presented concurrently with "Blueberries and Moose: A Festival of Maine Children’s Literature," being held at the Portland Public Market on May 7th. Conferees will have an opportunity to visit the displays and booths of many Maine authors and illustrators of children’s books.
|
|
