Lit Zoom: Intro to Children's Literature

Intro to Children’s Literature: Tots, Teens and Everything in Between
One Zoom Session
Sat., Sept. 7, 2024, 9 am-12 pm MT

When people hear “children’s books” they often think of picture books. But author Denise Vega shows you how the world of children’s literature encompasses a wide range of ages, stages and forms. From board books and picture books to leveled readers and young adult books—as well as magazines for those same audiences—children’s literature has something for everyone whether reader, writer or both. With Vega’s expert guidance and examples from published children’s books and magazines, learn about the categories and what makes them different from each other. Also study the rise of graphic stories, the difference between graphic stories and illustrated books, and how nonfiction and educational content fit into the mix. For those interested in writing for children, explore what writers need to consider when writing for these audiences, the different storytelling approaches you can use, the variety of topics you can share through your stories, vocabulary restrictions (or not!), and the writer’s tools at your disposal. Attendees have an opportunity to try their hand at writing something of their choice, such as the opening of a story, a nonfiction article, a poem or a short dialogue exchange. And if time permits, and if you choose, you can share your creative works. Come away with a fresh overview of children’s lit!

Award-winning author Denise Vega has written and published a range of content for kids, including If Your Monster Won’t Go to Bed, illustrated by Zachariah Ohora, Adela’s Mariachi Band, illustrated by Erika Medina (August 2024), middle grade and young adult books, as well as stories, nonfiction, poems and activities for children’s magazines.