Contact: Nancy Johnson, WWU professor of English, (360) 650-3227, nancy.johnson@wwu.edu

BELLINGHAM — Western Washington University will host four award-winning children’s authors and illustrators and an editor/book publisher at its Seventh Annual Children’s Literature Conference from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 6 at the Performing Arts Center Concert Hall on the WWU campus.

“This is an opportunity to meet and listen to four notable authors and illustrators and an editor whose work has not only been recognized by numerous awards but is also well received by readers from early elementary school to adult,” said Nancy Johnson, WWU professor  of English and organizer of the conference.

The conference, which is geared toward adults, is sponsored by the WWU English Department and includes presentations from the speakers, lunch, book sales and autograph sessions.

The authors at this year’s conference are:

• Marla Frazee, 2010 Caldecott honor recipient for “All the World,” 2009 Caldecott honor recipient for “A Couple of Boys Have the Best Week Ever” and illustrator of other award-winning books including “Roller Coaster,” and “Walk On! A Guide for Babies of All Ages.” Frazee will also be presenting with her award-winning editor and publisher, Allyn Johnston.
• John Green, the Michael L. Printz award-wining author of “Looking for Alaska” and “An Abundance of Katherines.” His latest novel, “Paper Towns,” was on the New York Times bestseller list and won the Edgar Award for best Young Adult novel. He is co-author, with David Levithan, of “Will Grayson, Will Grayson,” which debuts this April.
• Gerald McDermott is the Caldecott award-wining illustrator and author of “Arrow to the Sky: A Tale from the Pueblo” and Caldecott honor recipient for “Anansi the Spider: A Tale of the Ashanti” and “Raven: A Trickster Tale from the Pacific Northwest.” His newest book, “Pig-Boy: A Trickster Tale from Hawai’I” was published in 2009.
• Linda Sue Park is the Newbery Medal-winning author of “A Single Shard” and one of the 2002 Publisher’s Weekly Best Books of the Year for “When My Name was Keoko.” She is the author of novels, picture books, a collection of poetry based on a traditional Korean form, and the newspaper serial “A Long Walk to Water.”

The cost to attend the conference is $40 for full-time students, $45 for retired teachers and $90 for non students if their registration is received by Feb. 12. After that date, the costs are $75 for full-time students and retired teachers and $115 for non students. Fees include morning coffee and muffins, and lunch. Pre-registration is required by calling (360) 650-3308. A conference flier and registration forms can be accessed at www.wwuclc.com.

For more information, call Nancy Johnson at (360) 650-3227.

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