Cynthia and Greg Leitich Smith will appear this week at the 2015 Annual Conference of the Texas Library Association
in Austin.

Cynthia will speak on the panel, “A Colorful Canon: Building Diversity in Children’s Literature from 2 p.m. to 3:50 p.m. April 14 
in Convention Center Room 10 C, Level 3. Peek: “Small presses offer a powerful response to the cal for diverse children’s literature. Learn how small publishing houses and authors are contributing to an important conversation about books that help children see themselves in the books they read.” Panelists also include Lee Byrd, Jeanne Devlin, Don Tate and Marina Tristan.

Cynthia will sign Feral Pride (Candlewick, 2015) and other titles from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. April 15 in aisle 12 of the author area.

Greg Leitich Smith will sign books from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. April 15 in aisle 4 of the author area.

Cynthia will speak on the panel “Let’s Hear Their Stories: American Indians, Arabs and Arab Americans” from 10 a.m. to 11:50 a.m. April 17 in Convention Center Room 10 C, Level 3 Peek: “Representing American Indians and Arabs/Arab-Americans in library collections is an important component of diversity. The panel of authors and library science specialists surveys the availability of children’s and YA books about these groups and will point out ways librarians can evaluate books for accuracy, fairness and freedom from stereotype.” Panelists also include: Nancy Bo Flood, Janice L. Kowemy, Elsa Marston, and Loriene Roy.

Cynsational Notes

Cynthia also will be appearing at additional select teen, librarian and publisher events in conjunction with the conference. Keep an eye out and come say, “Howdy!”