An ONLINE Children’s Book Workshop
ALL LEVELS
When you think of picture books which immediately captivated you and stayed with you throughout your childhood, what comes to mind? I think of The Lorax, Amazing Grace, The Giving Tree, Snowy Day, and Good Night Moon. I think of relatable characters, poignant themes, and lyrical language which moves and haunts me to this day. I think of empowering representation and relevant messages which continue to teach me in this season of my middle age. These are the picture books we aspire to create for children of all ages and for the inner child who resides within each of us--books for families of all sizes and make-ups to read and enjoy together. This workshop is an invitation to re-examine picture books as family literature, rather than “Kid Lit,” or readings exclusively for the benefit of children in specific age groups. Together we will examine texts such as:
Goodnight Moon (Margaret Wise Brown, Clement Hurd)
The 1619 Project: Born on the Water ( Nikole Hannah-Jones & Renee Watson, Nikkolas Smith)
The Lorax (Dr. Seuss)
Eyes that Kiss in the Corners (Joanna Ho, Dung Ho)
Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story (Kevin Noble Maillard, Juana Martinez-Neal)
We will talk about the compelling elements of each and the challenges we face in incorporating these elements into our own writing. We will talk about finding and developing themes large enough to captivate family members of all ages and relatable enough for children to intuitively understand. If time permits, we will share ideas, outlines, and even initial rough draft pages with one another and receive gracious and constructive feedback.
+ PLEASE NOTE This workshop will occur ONLINE. The week of the workshop, attendees will be emailed the zoom link to enter the class.
Samara Cole Doyon is a mixed-race, Black nature enthusiast living and working in a region of unceded Wabanaki / Abenaki territory. She is a poet and educator, holding a BA in English, with graduate-level teacher training from the University of Southern Maine. She is also a children’s book author, winning both a Lupine Award and an International Literacy Association Award for her debut picture book, Magnificent Homespun Brown (Tilbury House Publishers, January, 2020). Her second children’s book, Magic Like That (Lee & Low Books, September, 2021), earned a starred review from Kirkus and made the Bookstagang Best Picture Books of 2021 list. Samara works at Maine Writers and Publishers Alliance and resides with her husband, two children, and rescue pup in central Maine.
ADVANCE REGISTRATION REQUIRED
All MWPA workshops require advanced registration. We accept registration by phone, mail, and online via our website. We cannot guarantee registration in the final 24-hours before a workshop, and can rarely accommodate day-of registration.
PAYMENT & CANCELLATION POLICIES
If you need to withdraw from a class after registering for any reason, please email or call the MWPA immediately. You may be eligible for a partial refund or credit, depending on how far in advance you cancel. → MORE INFORMATION
QUESTIONS
For any questions regarding this workshop, please contact programs@mainewriters.org.
REGISTER BY PHONE
Call 207-228-8263 and register with your VISA or MasterCard.
REGISTER BY MAIL
If you prefer to pay by mail, please print this registration form (downloadable PDF) and mail it to the MWPA with a check or credit card information.
$80 Members/$125 Nonmembers
SCHOLARSHIP
The MWPA is proud to offer one partial scholarship to this workshop for members-only. Scholarships are awarded on a combination of need and merit. Email programs@mainewriters.org to see if the scholarship is still available. Application Due by February 12 at 9:00 a.m.
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MWPA WORKSHOP POLICIES
Registration in any MWPA workshop, program, or event constitutes your agreement to our terms and conditions. → MORE INFORMATION