Georgia Conference on Children's Literature
Planning for our 54th Georgia Conference on Children’s Literature! (March 17–18, 2023)
After a successful in-person conference, we are looking forward to the 2023 conference. 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. The conference also hosts the finals of the annual Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl, a statewide competition for students in grades 4–12.
The 54th Georgia Conference on Children’s Literature is pleased to be hosting “The Welcoming Library” exhibit, a pop-up conversation on immigration and our new generation communities driven by a collection of acclaimed picture books featuring New Arrival and New Generation families. Readers of all ages “meet” these families on the page and explore the commonalities shared by all families through “I’m Your Neighbor” Books-created discussion questions as well as companion programming and education materials to help build an environment of welcoming and belonging.
Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed’s collaboration When Stars Are Scattered is one story listed by “I’m Your Neighbor” as fostering conversations about refugees and recent immigrants. Join us March 17–18, 2023, to listen to Omar and Victoria share about When Stars Are Scattered and to learn from two representatives from “I’m Your Neighbor” : Kirsten Cappy and Anne Sibley O’Brien!
The conference is also closely connected to the Georgia Children’s Book Awards .
Upcoming Dates
Registration is open!
Earlybird pricing ends February 11th, so be sure to register early! If you are presenting at the conference, AND you register on or before January 31, 2023, you receive an additional discount off the registration fee!
Conference Program
To view a copy of the conference program, click below. Print copies of the conference program will be available at the conference registration table on Friday morning.
Conference Speakers
Past Conferences
For 50 years, our conference has celebrated top authors and illustrators from around the world.

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?
Past Conferences
For 50 years, our conference has celebrated top authors and illustrators from around the world.
- Elana K. Arnold
- Angela Dominguez
- Alex Gino
- Minh Lê
- Leigh Turina
- Kwame Alexander
- Ben Clanton
- Alan Gratz
- Pablo Cartaya
- Aisha Saeed
- Kelly DiPucchio
- Louis Sachar
- Grace Lin
- Laurel Snyder
- Åse Marie Ommundsen
- David Biedrzycki
- Natalie Lloyd
- Duncan Tonatiuh
- Kelly Bingham
- Kathryn White
- Patricia McKissack
- Eric Velasquez
- Carmen Deedy
- Michael Dooling
- Alan Gratz
- Clare Vanderpool
- Jennifer Sattler
- Susan Nees
- Shonto Begay
- Mike Artell
- Jodi Moore
- R. Gregory Christie
- Judith Ortiz Cofer
- Jennifer Holm
- Deborah Wiles
- Angela Johnson
- Molly Bang
- Pat Mora
- Amanda Knoll and Howard McWilliam
- Mike Wimmer
- Barbara O’Connor
- Carole Boston Weatherford
- Jody Feldman
- Meghan McCarthy
- Mary Downing Hahn
- Alma Flor Ada
- Gail Gibbons
- M.T. Anderson
- Karen Beaumont
- Susan Liverpool
- Margie Palatini
- Kadir Nelson
- Andrea Davis Pinkney
- Robert Burleigh
- Fred Newman