It wouldn’t be an annual conference for me until it’s the magical night of Caldecott/ Newbery/ Wilder awards! I’ve been attending for the last three years, and it’s always one of my favorite events at ALA.
Everyone is dressed up, mingling around and discussing our love for children’s books! People are excited to be there, and it’s easier to strike up a conversation with fellow library lovers!
This event comes with a somewhat pricey cost- which also gets you a specially created program by the Caldecott winner:
However–you can come towards the end and sit in the chairs at the back just to hear the inspirational speeches! Make sure you stay and wait on the receiving line for some one on one time with the winners! I got to meet all the winners and share my love for their work.
All the speeches were amazing, but Matt de la Pena brought me to tears when he talked about how important it is to give a voice and relateable to experience to all types of children, especially the ones who don’t think people are seeing them! That resonates so much with me… I find myself looking for those children and their caretakers that seem lost or distraught, and try to make myself available to them! Another part that really touched me was when he shared his personal mantra that he repeats to himself after a long day of work… “I should have accomplished more today… I should have done better…” No matter what he has actually accomplished. What a truth statement for us children’s librarians! I constantly feel like I should be doing more, and could be doing it better… and in reality, we are doing such good work! It may never seem like enough… but the work we do is amazing!
As he stated towards the end of his speech— “When those in the world are seeking to build walls, librarians are working to tear them down…” So powerful!