The 2020 Conference has been cancelled. Read the Letter from the chair.
To Be Announced: 2020 GCBA Winners
As an integral part of Georgia's literacy initiative for half a century, the Georgia Conference on Children's Literature draws hundreds of teachers, school media specialists, public librarians, authors, illustrators, and children's literature scholars from the Southeast and beyond. The conference also hosts the finals of the annual Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl, a statewide competition for students in grades 4-12.
The two-day conference at the UGA Center for Continuing Education & Hotel and is organized by the Department of Language and Literacy Education.
The conference is also closely connected to the Georgia Children's Book Awards.
Jessie Sima grew up in a small town in southern New Jersey and now lives and works just outside of New York City. She is the author and illustrator of "Not Quite Narwhal," "Harriet Gets Carried Away," "Love," "Z," and "Spencer's New Pet" and the illustrator of "Snow Pony and the Seven Miniature Ponies" (written by Christian Trimmer).
Kristin O'Donnell Tubb is the author of "A Dog Like Daisy," "Autumn Winifred Oliver Does Things Different," "Selling Hope," "The 13th Sign," and "The Story Collector." She describes herself as "basically a dork who would still be going to school if they'd let me. But they won't (cause that'd just be weird), so I write instead. All of the research, none of the quizzes. It's heaven!" She loves to hear from readers, teachers, librarians, writers, long-lost friends, friends who aren't long or lost, media personnel, family members, household pets...pretty much everyone! She lives in Tennessee with her family.
Nic Stone was born and raised in a suburb of Atlanta, Georgia, and the only thing she loves more than an adventure is a good story about one. After graduating from Spelman College, she worked extensively in teen mentoring and lived in Israel for a few years before returning to the U.S. to write full-time. Growing up with a wide range of cultures, religions, and backgrounds, Stone strives to bring these diverse voices and stories to her work. You can find her goofing off and/or fangirling over her adorable little family on most social media platforms.
Elana K. Arnold is the author of critically acclaimed and award-winning young adult novels and children's books, including the Printz Honor winner "Damsel," the National Book Award finalist "What Girls Are Made Of," and Global Read Aloud selection "A Boy Called Bat" and its sequels. Several of her books are Junior Library Guild selections and have appeared on many best book lists, including the Amelia Bloomer Project, a catalog of feminist titles for young readers. Arnold teaches in Hamline University's MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults program and lives in Southern California with her family and menagerie of pets.
Angela Dominguez was born in Mexico City, grew up in the great state of Texas, and now resides on the east coast. She is also the author and illustrator of several books for children and a two-time recipient of Pura Belpré Illustration Honor. Her debut middle grade novel, "Stella Díaz Has Something To Say," was a New York Public Library and a Chicago Public Library pick for Best Books for Kids in 2018, winner of SCBWI Sid Fleischman Award, and an ALA Notable. When Dominguez is not in her studio or visiting schools, she teaches at the Academy of Art University, which honored her with their Distinguished Alumni Award in 2013. Angela is a proud member of SCBWI, PEN America, and is represented by Wernick and Pratt Literary Agency. As a child, she loved reading books and making a mess creating pictures. She's delighted to still be doing both.
Exhibitors at the Conference on Children's Literature have the opportunity to meet educators, media specialists, faculty and children's literature enthusiasts from across Georgia. We also invite you to be a sponsor.
By donating to the Georgia Book Awards and Conference on Children's Literature, you are supporting a 50-year legacy of celebrating quality children's books for Georgia students.
I love this conference! I always learn something and come away energized.
After a two-year absence from the conference, it was GREAT to be back! I am retired now but still LOVE to attend. It's always inspiring to meet the authors and illustrators who are forever my HEROES!
Out of all the conferences I've attended, this one is the best! What other conferences is there a chance you will be on the elevator with an author/illustrator or even have one come to your table and sit down with you?
For 50 years, our conference has celebrated top authors and illustrators from around the world.