Children’s Literature Symposium helps to choose books for children

 

SARASOTA, FL (February 15, 2008) –On Saturday, February 23, the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee will be hosting its second Children’s Literature Symposium, entitled “Engaging a Generation of Readers:  Voices of Selection.”

 

The event, to be held from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the Selby Auditorium on the USF Sarasota-Manatee campus, will be a venue for booksellers, publishers, librarians, parents and teachers to discuss strategies used in the selection of books for children, including the many issues such as race, gender, culture, etc. that contribute to that selection.  The campus is located on US 41 across from the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport.

 

“Many children are introduced to books at an early age, and this is when the love for reading develops,” said Anne Dobson, student affairs coordinator.  “It is important to realize and understand the influences that help direct a child’s reading preferences.”

 

Speakers for the event include:

 

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Nancy A. Anderson, EdD, is an Associate Professor of Literacy at the University of South Florida's College of Education (Tampa Campus). She authored the text book “Elementary Children's Literature: The Basics for Teachers and Parents, 2nd ed.” (Allyn & Bacon, 2006) and “What Should I Read Aloud? A Guide to 200 Best-Selling Picture Books.” (International Reading Association, 2007).

 

PANELISTS

Publishers and Booksellers. Pineapple Press, Peppertree Press Publishing, Little

Bookworms (children's bookseller, Lakewood Ranch), and Sarasota News and Books

(Main Street, downtown Sarasota) will form an expert panel to discuss how they

choose a book for publication and sale.

Librarians. Academic, public, and school librarians (media specialists) will comprise

a panel of experts to discuss the process of selecting books based on their patrons’

needs.

Educators. Teachers from local area schools will form a panel of experts to discuss

their methods for choosing books plus how they use the books in the classroom and

how they evaluate effectiveness.

Parents. Parents, including teacher/parents, will form a panel of experts to discuss

their methods for choosing books for their children and how their choices are

influenced by librarians and educators, as well as by their children and their

children's peers.

 

The cost for the event is $45 for the public, $35 for USF alumni, and $10 for students, and includes lunch from Einstein’s Bros. Bagels.  Day-of registration is $65.

 

For more information about the Children’s Literature Symposium or to register for the event, please contact Anne Dobson at (941) 359-4268 or adobson@sar.usf.edu.