20th Annual Charlotte Huck Children's Literature Festival

On Friday, Feb. 26 a twenty-year tradition continued as the 2016 Charlotte Huck Children's Literature Festival 2016 kicked off its weekend long festival at the University of Redlands. The festival is two days long and consists of talks and workshops with major authors and illustrators. In his opening welcome Dr. Andrew F. Wall, Dean of the School of Education at the University of Redlands shared personal accolades of his children’s relationship with literature and the power of early literacy. “Early literacy is the foundation on which education is built,” said Wall. “The passion--indeed have a passion for books is tremendous. I hope that as you go on today and listen to our authors that you will in fact be inspired as I so often have been inspired to realize the power of the festival is remembering that there is always indelible power, whether you are a voracious reader or engaged in what some would call destructive technology. You will return to those images." The festival was founded by Dr. Charlotte S. Huck who had a goal when she retired from her distinguished career in education at Ohio State. Huck moved back to Redlands and remained a resident for 18 years where she would create the Literature festival. Her goal was to create an event where teachers, librarians and anyone who loves children’s literature could be inspired. Her hope was the festival would bring together authors and illustrators to enjoy each other and collaborate. It was her hope that students could also meet and learn from award-winners in the field. According to Huck’s niece Charlotte Burgess, Vice President & Dean of Student Life, the event was founded around the time the state had switched to emphasizing standardized testing over reading. “She felt that conference would help keep literature alive, especially good literature for children,” said Burgess. “She wanted a small conference and would be an opportunity for the authors and illustrators to stay through the whole conference. People would be able to talk to them. This was what motivated her and why we are still here.” Noted authors and illustrators this year included: • Jerry Pinkney, Caldecott medalist • Laura Ingalls Lifetime Achievement • Coretta Scott King – Virginia Hamilton Lifetime Achievement award winner, illustrator of over 100 children’s books including: “The Lion and the Mouse”, “The Grasshopper and the Ant”, “The Little Red Hen and The Talking Eggs”. • Linda Sue Park, Newbery medalist, author children’s novels and picture books including: “A Single Shard”, “A Long Walk to Water” and “Xander’s Panda Party”. • Janet Wong, author of poetry, picture books and books for older children including: “Twist, Dumpster Diver, Behind the Wheel: Poems about Driving and Me and Rolly Maloo” and publisher of “The Poetry Friday Anthology” series. • Debra Frasier, author/illustrator of many award-winning books including: “On the Day You Were Born”, “Miss Alaineus, a Vocabulary Disaster”, “SPIKE, the Ugliest Dog in the Universe” and “A Fabulous Fair Alphabet”. • Kevin Henkes, Caldecott medalist, Newbery medalist, author, illustrator of mouse books, picture books and novels including: “Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse”, “Kitten’s First Full Moon” and “Olive’s Ocean”. • Mike Graf, author of award-winning books about weather, geography, outdoor adventure and national parks including “The Adventures with the Parkers National Park series” Additionally presentations were given by: • Kristine O’Connell George author of many award-winning poetry books including: “The Great Frog Race.” • Alexis O’Neill best known for her lively, award-winning “bully” book, The Recess Queen, a children’s choice nominee in 12 states, winning choice in two, and a conversation-starter for kids across the country at the opening of each school year. Her other books include “The Kite That Bridged Two Nations”, “Loud Emily”, “Estela’s Swap” and “The Worst Best Friend”, and she has written for numerous children’s magazines. • Editor Allyn Johnston has been working in children’s publishing in her native California for twenty-four years. Among the authors and illustrators with whom she works are Mem Fox, Lois Ehlert, Marla Frazee, Cynthia Rylant, Debra Frasier, Arthur Howard, Jan Thomas, Avi, and M. T. Anderson. Recent titles she’s edited are New York Times bestseller "Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes" by Mem Fox, illustrated by Helen Oxenbury; and "A Couple of Boys Have the Best Week Ever" by Marla Frazee and New York Times bestseller "All the World" by Liz Garton Scanlon, illustrated by Marla Frazee, both of which received a Caldecott Honor. “I have always believed that literature can be life changing for the individual and most importantly literature shows us we are not alone. That is no small accomplishment,” said Linda Sue Park during her talk on her book “A Long Walk to Water”. In addition to the festival guests were able to enjoy a special event, “Dreams, Schemes and a Dog in Jeans—Celebrating 20 years of Children’s Book Festival Artists” an exhibition of 50 original illustrations from some of the best and most celebrated artists in the field. The exhibition was curated by Lisa Van Drasek, and will run from Feb.16 through March.19 at Peppers Art Gallery on campus. For Redlands Unified School District Reading Coach Nicole Howes, the festival was a unique opportunity to explore the power of children’s literature with people who understand. “There is a magic that happens when you get people who know both the power and the magic found within children's literature. This Festival brings them together and fosters a greater love and the urge to take the message to the masses,” said Howes. “This really is a conference that inspires people who love books,” Burgess said. “You don’t have to be a teacher or librarian. You can be a parent, a grandparent, a library user, etc. anyone who loves books and wants to hear authors talk about how they created their ideas for a book those are the people who should be here. This is the only conference like this that I know of and its here in Redlands.”