A children’s literature conference sponsored every two years by the College of Education and Rural Education Research and Service Consortium is set for Saturday, April 9, in the Roaden University Center.

The cost of the conference is $25, and the deadline for early registration is March 30.

Maggi Vaughn

One of this year’s featured writers, Maggi Vaughn, penned the state’s official bicentennial poem, the governor’s inaugural poem and a poem celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Air Force. Her poetry has appeared in magazines, journals and newspapers, and she has made numerous appearances on national and local television. She has written nine books, including children's literature and poetry and short story collections.

Tracy Barrett, mid-South regional advisor for the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, will also be at the conference. She is the author of such children’s books as Anna of Byzantium (Dell Laurel-Leaf, 1999) and On Etruscan Time (Henry Holt Books for Young Readers, 2005). She teaches Italian, women’s studies and humanities at Vanderbilt University.

Tracy Barrett

Pat Brisson will also be featured at this year’s conference. She has written numerous children’s books, including Wanda’s Roses (Boyds Bills Press, 2000) and The Summer My Father Was Ten (Boyds Bills Press, 1999). She works part-time as a reference librarian in Philipsburg, N.J., and has both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree from Rutgers University.

Pat Brisson

Conference registration includes the price of lunch and admission to exhibits and autograph sessions. Exhibitors with books and related items for sale at discounted costs are also expected.

For more information about the conference or to register, call Connie Nichols at 3791.