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Children’s literature matters— For people of all ages By Kristine Lalley
In this photo, from left, College of Education graduate assistants Patricia Mack and Mary Napoli; Susan Lunsford, teacher at Ferguson Township Elementary School in the State College School District; and Meta Meckstroth, teacher at Corl Elementary School in the State College Area School District, examine some of the many children’s books discussed during the Children’s Literature Matters Conference. Dr. Richard Ammon, author of several children’s books and associate professor of education at Penn State Harrisburg, talks about writing for children during the Children’s Literature Matters conference.	For educators and librarians, teaching children to develop a love of reading is often a guiding principle in their work. Stories and books provide a forum for building a community of learners, allowing for the exchange of ideas and fostering an environment where both children and adults can let their imaginations run wild. For those who help children uncover the joys of reading, discovering new books to share can be the beginning of an exciting journey toward creating new knowledge. During the annual Children’s Literature Matters conference held at The Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel, teachers, librarians, aspiring authors and students from the Commonwealth and beyond had the opportunity to learn of new storybooks and other creative reading materials made expressly for children. Several internationally known authors discussed their most recent work and talked about the importance of sharing the wonders of children’s literature with young people. Dr. Richard Ammon, author of An Amish Christmas and An Amish Wedding and associate professor of education at Penn State Harrisburg, discussed his writing and answered participants’ questions during a “Meet-the-Author” session. Attendees had the chance to share reactions to his books and describe the impact his work has on children. Dr. Margaret Foley, assistant professor of language and literacy at Penn State, along with College of Education graduate students Patricia Mack and Mary Napoli, led an interactive forum on new books for primary grade students. During the session, participants had the opportunity to read and talk about authors’ recent works, along with other colorful books that offer delightful and imaginative story lines for school-age youth. “Children’s literature is the ideal vehicle for exposing students to the power of stories,” Napoli said. “The conference session provides teachers and librarians with an opportunity to read, interact and react to the newest picture and storybooks for children.” Featured books included such titles as Honk, by Pamela Duncan Edwards. It is the story of Mimi the swan, a Prima Swanerena who wants so desperately to get into the ballet that she tries on several disguises in an attempt to enter the Opera House. In another book, Bridges Are to Cross, Philemon Sturges uses cut paper art to present bridges from around the world and examine their significance. Foley explained the sheer pleasure of facilitating this session, noting, “I must admit that I love doing this. Who wouldn’t want to get together with other lovers of children’s literature to share the best picture and storybooks of the year! I love the excitement generated in this hands-on session.” “Sharing literature is one of the richest gifts that we can offer our children,” Napoli added. “By networking with other teachers, educators can share possible activities to incorporate in their classrooms. Literature allows the reader to explore new worlds and gain a new appreciation of others.” According to Dr. Daniel Hade, associate professor of language and literacy at Penn State and chair of the Children’s Literature Matters conference, the event provides a combination of professional development, affirmation and celebration. “Teachers, librarians and others have the opportunity to get closer to the writers in order to gain an understanding of their work. It’s a great chance to communicate with the authors whose work they read with children every day.” Not only is the conference a conduit for bringing artists from around the world to Penn State to share their work with teachers and librarians, but it also is a forum for showcasing what language and literacy faculty and students at Penn State are doing for children and youth, Hade said. In addition, a planned endowment gift from Doris and P. Duane “Dewey” Walker, called the Doris Walker Lecturer-in-Residence for Children’s Literature, provides financial support for the conference. The gift also will offer an opportunity for children’s authors, illustrators and scholars of children’s literature to spend time in residency on campus exchanging ideas with future teachers enrolled as graduate and undergraduate students. “The educators who work with young people are just passionate about children’s literature. They tend to think differently. Stories matter. The relationships that develop from the sharing of ideas and from the interaction between adults and children in reading literature are very important,” Hade added. After all, it is through reading that children learn that life must be lived with others. Stories can introduce them to a world filled with new experiences and richness. Literature opens the door to limitless possibilities for creativity and expression, where children can learn to pursue new adventures and embrace diversity and change. For more information about this annual conference, contact Daniel Hade at (814) 865-2161; E-mail: ddh2@psu.edu. An outreach program of the College of Education