Montgomery College’s Workforce Development and Continuing Education division will host the 12th Annual Celebration of Children’s Literature, "Stepping Into the 21st Century," on Saturday, April 21, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., in Globe Hall of the High Technology and Science Center, Germantown Campus.

Designed for librarians, teachers, reading specialists, writers, artists, booksellers, and parents, the conference features acclaimed children’s book authors, illustrators, book sales and signings, an illustrator’s gallery, and a variety of workshops.

Featured speakers include Walter "The Giant Storyteller" Mayes, popular co-author of Valerie & Walter’s Best Books for Children; Pamela Edwards and Henry Cole, author and illustrator, respectively, of Roar! A Noisy Counting Book and Livingston Mouse; and Virginia Euwer Wolff, author of Bat 6 and Make Lemonade.

Small group workshops will include presentations on illustration, writing the picture book, manuscript preparation and getting published, a look at the Newbery Medal winners and at critical evaluation of children's books, young adult literature, writing historical fiction, and storytelling.

Registration, which includes continental breakfast, a box lunch, and all program materials, is $70 for Maryland residents and $90 for non-residents. Registration deadline is April 18. Special conference rates are available at the Hampton Inn, next door to Montgomery College’s Germantown Campus. An on-line conference program can be viewed at http://www.childrensbookguild.org/celebration.html.

For a brochure or more information, contact Tracy Singleton at 240-567-7914.

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