Georgia Conference on Children's Literature

As an integral part of Georgia’s literacy initiative for more than 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. Join us for the 55th Georgia Conference where we’re sure to have an exciting line-up of keynote speakers, workshop sessions, and a diverse offering of break-out sessions.

The conference is closely connected to the Georgia Children’s Book Awards and the 2024 GCBA winners will be announced during the conference!

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The 55th Georgia Conference on Children’s Literature will be held on March 22-23, 2024.

Upcoming Dates

Conference Speakers

David Bowles

David Bowles is a Mexican American author and translator from Texas. He has written multiple award-winning titles, most notably The Smoking Mirror, the 13th Street chapter book series, the young adult graphic novel series Clockwork Curandera, the picturebook My Two Border Towns, and the award-winning novel in verse They Call Me Güero.

Elizabeth Dulemba

Elizabeth Dulemba is an award-winning illustrator, author, professor, blogger, and speaker. She has over three-dozen books to her credit, including her debut novel, A Bird on Water Street, for which she was named Georgia Author of the Year. Three of her recent picturebooks as illustrator were written by New York Times Best-selling author, Jane Yolen: Merbaby’s Lullaby (2019), Crow Not Crow (2018), and On Eagle Cove (2020). Her newest title, Teacup, is published under the pseudonym of Bae Broughton, after the street she lived on in Scotland.

Torrey Maldonado

Torrey Maldonado was born and raised in Brooklyn’s Red Hook projects. He has taught in the New York City Public Schools for over twenty-five years. His fast-paced and compelling stories are inspired by his and his students’ experiences. Torrey’s popular young readers novels include What Lane, Tight, and Secret Saturdays. Hands, his latest novel, is a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection, has received a starred review from School Library Journal, and is a “Best New Book of 2023.”

Stacy McAnulty

Stacy McAnulty is a children’s book author, who used to be a mechanical engineer. She has written an impressive number of STEM picturebooks, and some wonderful middle-grade novels, including the 2023 GCBA winner Millionaires for a Month. When she’s not writing, Stacy likes bake (and eat!) triple-chocolate cupcakes. Originally from upstate NY, she now lives in Kernersville, NC with her 3 kids, 3 dogs, and 1 husband.

Bob Shea

Bob Shea is an award-winning author-illustrator of many popular titles, including the 2023 GCBA picturebook winner Chez Bob. Bob has worked with Comedy Central, was the designer of the PBS Kids logo, developed an on-air character for Playhouse Disney, worked with Nick Jr., has appeared on Noggin and The Sunny Side Up Show. Dreamworks is developing one of his books into a television show. He lives in a yellow house with his wife and son.

Be an ExhibitorExhibitors at the Conference on Children’s Literature have the opportunity to meet educators, media specialists, faculty, and children’s literature enthusiasts from across Georgia.

Past Conferences

For 50 years, our conference has celebrated top authors and illustrators from around the world.

Donate to the ConferenceBy 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.

Thanks to our annual sponsors Perma-Bound, Capstone, Martha Stockton Library Services, Get Well Johnny, Anderson Multicultural Books, Spanish 4 The Culture, Mary Frances Early College of education, Department of Language and Literacy Education, databooks.com, Payton Place, Bound to Stay Bound

Perma-Bound, Capstone, Martha Stockton Library Services, Get Well Johnny, Anderson Multicultural Books, Spanish 4 The Culture, Mary Frances Early College of education, Department of Language and Literacy Education, databooks.com, Payton Place, Bound to Stay Bound

What Others Say

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?