Events

8:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. Registration, Book Sales, Refreshments, Welcome

8:30 a.m. – 8:45 a.m. Special Announcement – Read Aloud Champion

8:45 a.m. – 9:25 a.m. Session 1 – What’s up with the Golden Sower? – Anne Price

Anne Price, Children’s Librarian at North Platte Public Library, will talk about the nuts and bolts of the Golden Sower award. Ever wondered about how to get involved as a reader? Anne will also provide information about that, including reader expectations and the timeline of the Golden Sower award process.

9:30 a.m. – 10:10 a.m. Session 2 – Picture Books to Read Aloud – Sally Snyder

Sally Snyder, Youth Services Coordinator at the Nebraska Library Commission, will highlight picture books that are engaging choices for reading aloud. Aside from fostering a love of reading in young children, resources such as these can greatly impact early literacy development.

10:15 a.m. – 10:55 a.m. Session 3 – Illustrations as Part of the Read Aloud Experience – Chloe Burgett

Artist Chloe Burgett will talk about the process of visual storytelling and how illustrations and words work together to create the listener’s experience. Great read aloud titles are constructed around illustrations that help children visualize and understand the story, while inviting them to look closer and see the story hidden underneath the text.

11:00 a.m. – 11:40 a.m. Session 4 – Defending the Read-Aloud – Steven Layne (via Zoom)

The act of reading aloud to students shouldn’t need a defense but far too often it does, and a key component of defending best practice is learning how to best leverage the instructional elements that make our work more successful. Award-winning author and literacy professor Steven Layne provides an energetic session focused on a hallmark of quality read-alouds: the thoughtful and strategic use of the reader’s voice as a tool for strong oral delivery.

11:45 a.m. – 12:25 p.m. Lunch and Book Sales

12:30 p.m. – 1:10 p.m. Session 5 –Nebraska Growing Readers

Nebraska Growing Readers (NGR) is a family literacy organization focused on increasing book access and shared reading habits as well as creating locally tailored content in Nebraska. In this presentation, NGR staff will share takeaways from their first year of statewide programing, explain the concept of community book gardens, and share resources and ideas for all supporters of literacy! Presenters: Greta Carlson (Program Manager) and the Nebraska Growing Readers team from Nebraska Children and Families Foundation.

1:15 p.m. – 1:55 p.m. Session 6 – The Power of Artful Read Alouds to Support Reading Comprehension and Foster Belonging – Rebecca Billingham (via Zoom)

Rebecca Bellingham is equal parts educator and artist. She has led literacy and arts-based work in schools, universities, and nonprofits for over 25 years. In this session, Rebecca (author of The Artful Read Aloud and The Artful Approach to Exploring Identity and Fostering Belonging) will share tips for reading aloud “artfully” in order to deepen students’ ability to make meaning, develop background knowledge, and connect with classmates in genuine ways. Rebecca will model small shifts that make a huge difference in our read aloud practice, and inspire you to incorporate artful moves with your students that increase engagement, critical thinking, and “bookjoy!”

2:00 p.m. – 2:40 p.m. Session 7 – Storytime Spark: Simple Arts to Ignite Your Read-Alouds – Cody Talarico

Cody Talarico is former music teacher and currently serves Nebraska as the Arts Education Specialist at the Nebraska Department of Education where he leads and supports visual arts, media arts, dance, music and theatre education. Are you ready to add a burst of creativity to your storytimes? Discover simple ways to jazz up your read-aloud with music, movement, acting, or art. Whether it’s playing rhythms, trying a character’s voice, or adding a splash of color, experiment with easy techniques—no arts expertise required! Leave with creative ideas for your arts-inspired read aloud. Step in, get inspired, and see how a little creativity can make

reading unforgettable!

2:40 p.m. – 3:20 p.m. Session 8 – Early Chapter Books for Reading Aloud – Carla Ketner

Many of us can still name a novel our elementary school teacher read to us and know from experience the influence those books had on us. Nebraska author Carla Ketner will share high-interest, engaging new chapter books to read aloud with beginning readers and older elementary children, the kinds of books that will leave lasting impacts—and some that are just plain fun.

3:20 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Closing, Evaluations, Book Sales, and distribution of FREE books to give to children in your community! Thanks for coming!