The annual ALA Conference and Exhibition took place this year from June 27 through July 2, gathering the publishing community for programming highlighting librarians, creators, and industry professionals. Several authors were celebrated at varying award ceremonies, keynote speakers shined the light on important issues, and authors had the opportunity to meet with librarians. Check out highlights from children’s-focused events here.
Jerry Craft (l.) and Kwame Alexander at the Little, Brown booth, giving news of their forthcoming collaboration, J vs. K, an illustrated middle grade novel due out next May.
Newbery Medalist Dave Eggers (c.) with the Newbery Committee.
A young fan, Mae McManus, brought her copy of Guts to be signed by creator Raina Telgemeier, and also got a copy of Unico: The Awakening signed by author Samuel Sattin.
National Book Award winner M.T. Anderson signing Elf Dog and Owl Head, illustrated by Junyi Wu, at the Candlewick booth. Photo: Kantor.
Recipients of the CSK grant (from l.): Radhiya Abdul-Raheem, William Anthony Taylor, author Jason Reynolds, Torrion Carter, Hawa Jalloh, and Teria Richardson.
(From l.) Rosemary Brosnan, VP and publisher of Quill Tree Books and Heartdrum, author Neal Shusterman, and educator Ron Canos at the HarperCollins booth.
Loren Long (far l.) speaking with librarians about his picture book The Yellow Bus.
Annie Barrows (l.) and Sophie Blackall at the Chronicle booth signing for the first book in their new chapter book series, Stella & Marigold. Barrows told librarians during a breakfast presentation, “When we finished the 12th Ivy & Bean book, one thing we knew was we had to find a way to make another book together.” She added, “Telling stories is one of the antidotes to the difficulty of childhood.”
Lee & Low authors and staff gathered together at the APALA Literature Awards Banquet, hosted at the San Diego Public Library. (From l.): illustrators Alina Chau, Carl Angel, publisher Jason Low, author Olivia Abtahi, Lee & Low staff members Kandace Coston, Jill Eisenberg, Shaughnessy Miller, and author Cheryl Kim.
Chris Baron getting ready for a book signing session for his middle grade novel The Secret of the Dragon Gems at the Little Bee Books booth.
(From l.): Jade Adia, Clare Asongco, Leah Johnson, Tracey Baptiste, and Kwame Mbalia at the Disney preview on June 29, featuring sweet treats and readings from the authors’ new books. Johnson told attendees, “I know you all came for the ice cream, but now you're staying for the stellar voice acting.” Photo: Kantor.
TikToker and literacy advocate Mychal Threets (c.) made lots of friends at ALA. (From l.): Emma Schaefer of Woodland Hills, Calif.; Christine Conwell of Moorpark, Calif.; library supervisor Felicia Xa of the University of Southern California; and Robyn Reed of Union College in Schenectady, N.Y. Photo: Nathalie op de Beeck.
Author Kalyin Melia George at the APALA Awards banquet.
San Diego-based Beach Lane Books held a dinner for a number of its authors: (from l.): Beach Lane publisher Allyn Johnston, Molly Ruttan, Mariana Llanos, Julien Chung, Dianne White, Meg Fleming, Sharon Fujimoto-Johnson, Nell Cross Beckerman, Beach Lane executive editor Andrea Welch, Elizabeth Blake-Linn, Marla Frazee, Sonia Chaghatzbanian, Sarah Aronson, Beach Lane assistant editor Danielle Collins, Sara Holly Ackerman, and Rekha S. Rajan.
Illustrator Eliza Kinkz and author Jesús Trejo signing copies of their forthcoming picture book Mamá’s Magnificent Dancing.
Author Lee Wind prepares to sign copies of The Gender Binary Is a Big Lie at the Lerner Publishing Group booth.
(From l.): Matt de la Peña, Pam Muñoz Ryan, Min Lê, Chris Baron, and Sally Pla at the Newbery Caldecott banquet, where Ryan accepted the Children’s Literature Legacy Award. Photo: Lizette Serrano.
Andrew Larsen (r.) signing copies of Gifts from the Garbage Truck in the Sourcebooks booth, alongside marketing associate Jennifer Steinhagen.
Andrew Smith, senior VP and publisher of Abrams’s children’s books division, toasted the publisher’s 25th anniversary at a rooftop celebration overlooking the bay. Photo: Kantor.
Actor and author Max Greenfield got a glimpse of his upcoming picture book Good Night Thoughts for the first time. Photo: Venessa Carson.
Mika Song and Jenn Bailey on stage receiving the Schneider Award for their book Henry, Like Always.
Jason Reynolds (c.) with the children of his manager and a Simon & Schuster staffer.
(From l.): Neal Porter Books publisher Neal Porter with author Lynne Brunell and illustrator Jason Chin, during a signing of Life After Whale at the Holiday House booth. Photo: Kantor.
(From l.): Geisel Honor recipient Mika Song, committee members Josie Schneider and Louie Lauer, Geisel Honor recipient Jenn Bailey, committee chair Gwen Vanderhage, Geisel Honor recipient Kaz Windness, committee members Mara Rosenberg, Pauline Harris, and Maria Kiely, and Geisel Award recipient Corey R. Tabor.
Members of the 12x12 Challenge writing community supported author Sita Jit at her book signing for her debut chapter book series Divya Far from Home.
James Buckley Jr. showing off a copy of Show Me History! Muhammad Ali: The Greatest of All Time! Photo: Rocco Staino.
Publishing professionals took the stage for the “Diversity Beyond the Border: International and Multilingual Publishing” discussion, moderated by Carolina Schwarz, Clavis representative, founder at We the Content, and translator. The panelists were (from l): Chad Felix, sales and marketing manager at Two Lines Press; Chris Heiser, publisher and co-founder at Unnamed Press; Lara LeMoal, associate publisher at Greystone Kids; Helen H. Wu, publisher at Yeehoo Press; and Archna Sharma, CEO and publisher at Neem Tree Press.
Caldecott and National Book Award winner Dan Santat signing Detective Duck: The Case of the Strange Splash (Amulet), first in an early chapter book series by Henry Winkler and Lin Oliver. Photo: Kantor.
Nicholas Day (l.) and Brett Helquist at the Sibert lunch, celebrating their Sibert Medal for The Mona Lisa Vanishes: A Legendary Painter, a Shocking Heist, and the Birth of a Global Celebrity (Random House Studio).
Bloomsbury Children’s Books welcomed authors and staff for their ALA Tea. (Back row, from l.): Alex Borbolla, Beth Eller, Erica Barmash, Valentina Rice, Sarah Shumway, and Mary Kate Castellani. (Front row, from l.): authors Meredith Adamo, Kalynn Bayron, and Sherri Winston.
Contributors to the Printz Medal-winning YA anthology The Collectors (Dutton), from l.: Randy Ribay, Jason Reynolds, G. Neri, David Levithan, A.S. King (anthology editor), M.T. Anderson, and e. E. Charlton-Trujillo. Photo: Andrew Karre.
Connie Hsu (l.) and Newbery Honoree Rainey Hopson at the Newbery Caldecott banquet.
The “Reaching Kids Across Age-Ranges and Lived Experiences” panelists (from l.): moderator Vicki Johnson, with Danny Ramadan, Robin Stevenson, Vivian Rosas, and Jennifer Maruno.
(From l.): NorthSouth staffers Herwig Bitsche, Gelsey White, with authors Rashin Kheiriyeh and Mac Barnett and NorthSouth's Andie Krawczyk at the Newbery Caldecott banquet.
Sibert Honorees celebrated their books for young readers at a special luncheon event with the Sibert committee. (Top row, from l.): Joyce Laiosa, Matt Patterson, Melissa Stovall, Traci N. Todd, Kirbie Sondreal, Jill Bellomy, Melody Frese, Pamela Greene; (bottom row, from l.): Amanda Chuong, Jessica Lanan, Sy Montgomery, Shannon Wright, and Susan Dobinick.
Author Elyssa Maxx Goodman celebrates her Stonewall Honor for her nonfiction title Glitter and Concrete.
Paula Yoo, author of the YA nonfiction book Rising from the Ashes, greeting readers at the Norton Young Readers booth for a book signing.
Macmillan staffers in front of the Ferry Boat Berkeley, where the publisher hosted a happy hour. (From l.): Eleonore Fisher, Sara Elroubi, Elysse Villalobos, Lauren Wengrovitz, Alexandra Quill, and Mary Van Akin.
Illustrator Ellen Surrey preparing to meet readers at the Nosy Crow booth.
“Feeling Supernatural: Breathtaking Worlds in Young Adult Literature” panelists: (from l.) Lamar Giles, Amanda Glaze, moderator Chris Vaccari, Courtney Gould, and Leia Stone. Photo: Emily Luedloff.
Author Victor D.O. Santos signing copies of his picture book What Makes Us Human for visitors at the Eerdmans Books for Young Readers booth.
(From l.): A librarian moderator, with panelists Jeremy Lambert, Tri Vuong, Nora Dåsnes, and Raina Telegemeier, after their “Growing Up with Graphic Novels” panel.
Samantha Berger, author of Find the Kind, illustrated by Marina Verola, dressed to the nines in Highlights red. Photo: Kantor.
(From l.): Penguin YA authors Ransom Riggs, Sabaa Tahir, Randy Ribay, and Jandy Nelson celebrated “Bookchella” with signed posters for attendees.
(From l.) Sarah and Ian Hoffman sign a copy of their book Jacob’s Missing Book (Magination Press).
