Level Up!

NOT YOUR GRANDMA'S NONFICTION! ⭐ Today's nonfiction is bold, engaging, and innovative! Attendees will take an in-depth look at what books are (and aren't) being published. We will explore how books cover the "What?" "So What?" and/or the "Now What?" of a topic. For the sake of time, the exemplars will be picture books, but the principles explored apply to all informational books. Come ready to investigate, explore, sort, and discover! 📢For the hands-on segment, please have on hand 5-8 informational books written for children and pre-read at least one of them. ⭐ Heather L. Montgomery writes for kids who are wild about animals. An award-winning author and educator, she credits SCBWI (and many volunteer hours) for helping her gain skills and confidence. Her 17 nonfiction books have received recognitions from NCTE, Junior Library Guild, and VOYA. Popular titles: SICK! THE TWISTS AND TURNS BEHIND ANIMAL GERMS; SOMETHING ROTTEN: A FRESH LOOK AT ROADKILL; and, WHAT’S IN YOUR POCKET? COLLECTING NATURE’S TREASURES. ⭐ This one-hour webinar will take place Saturday, February 21st, at 10 am PST. A recording will be available for 30 days afterwards to registered attendees. Don’t miss it! Registration closes February 18th.

THE NOVELTY OF GRAPHIC NOVELS ⭐ This webinar will take a brief look at the history of graphic novels and the current expectations of the format. Then we will pop-the-hood on workflows and techniques. Using many examples, we will look at the why/how they work in practice by examining pacing, art style, and the larger issues of telling stories across panels. I present a historically grounded approach to the format from a technical and artistic POV, plus how other artists and writers have approached this rapidly evolving format. I desire to see richer graphic novel experiences for young readers and an expanded focus on what’s offered. You’ll come away inspired to push your creativity in this format with an expanded understanding of the fundamentals. ⭐ Hi, I’m Mark. I grew up in Minnesota, received a BFA from the University of Wisconsin, Madison and continued studies at the Graduate School of Film at UCLA. Working in design, illustration and animation, I was a manager at Walt Disney Television Animation, an art director for Sony Online Entertainment and a creative director at Pearson Television. My writing and illustrations have been published by Penguin Books for Young Readers, Candlewick Press, Hyperion, Chronicle Books, Knopf and a few others I can’t think of right now. ⭐ This one-hour webinar will take place Wednesday, March 25, at 7pm PST. A recording will be available for 30 days afterwards to registered attendees. Don’t miss it! Registration closes March 22nd.