Children's Literature Festival 2009
by Ruby Garard
March 31, 2009
During spring break, two fifth grade students and two junior high
students traveled with Mrs. Garard to the Children’s Literature
Festival at Warrensburg, Missouri. On Sunday, March 15, the students ate lunch and
visited with illustrator Dan Burr, author David L. Harrison, and author/illustrator Cheryl
Harness. The students purchased a book and had the author autograph
the book. The students had several authors autograph books they had written that were in the
school libray.
On Monday, March 16, the students listened to a different author each hour
talk about how they started their career as an author or illustrator.
The authors and illustrators told the students about the books they
had published. Authors Kirby Larson, William Anderson, and Roland
Smith entertained the students with stories about their most recent
books. Illustrators Robin Brickman, and Brad Sneed explained their
artistic techniques and gave the students the opportunity to try doing
some of the techniques. The students summarized the messages that the
authors expressed during the day when they said, “Don’t give up. Dare to
try. Believe. Use your imagination.”
