Statewide Shop Talk

Carrie Pearson and Kelsey Gross, kidlit authors and former early childhood educators, explore how young children think, learn, and experience the world and what tools these key concepts give us as writers. Discover how understanding child development can spark ideas, shape language, strengthen characters, and influence story choices. Through lively discussion and mentor texts, Kelsey and Carrie will show how knowledge of developmental milestones can help us meet young readers where they are while creating stories children want to experience over and over.