Reading Summit Reflection

I recently returned from the Scholastic Reading Summit in San Antonio. I presented a workshop there on picture books. Five years ago, I attended the inaugural Reading Summit in Dallas -- where I first met my friend Donalyn Miller in person, and heard the late Walter Dean Myers speak. So returning to a Summit as a presenter was definitely an honor!

Donalyn Miller and John Schu (also a friend!) were featured speakers at the San Antonio event (which was very well-attended), and author Matt de la Peña wrapped up the day with an inspiring keynote. De la Peña's Last Stop on Market Street (Penguin, 2015) won the 2016 Newbery Medal -- as well as a Caldecott Honor, a Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Award, and the 2015 E.B. White Read Aloud Award.

It was a full and rich day of literacy learning, book talks, and so much more. I am bringing back lots of information to share with my staff.

During my presentation, I talked about many picture books (including Last Stop on Market Street)! Here is a sampling of the titles I shared:

You'll notice that I didn't just share the latest releases.  I intentionally reached back in my own reading timeline to discuss those picture books that I have studied and found notable in many ways.  

I also emphasized that picture books are for ALL ages. Hopefully,  the wonderful educators who attended my session will go back to their libraries and read all the picture books they can find, and -- most importantly -- share them with their learners! 

After working on my presentation nearly all summer, I realize now that it was a way for me to process my thinking. There is so much to learn about this form! In fact, every time a new picture book is released, there is more for me to discover. 

If you have never been to a Reading Summit, and you are an educator with any interest in reading and nurturing reading in your classroom and school, I highly recommend attending one. They are offered every summer in various locations throughout the country. 

And though it is to late to register for the last Summit next week, you can still share in the learning by checking out the #readingsummit hashtag on Twitter!